Pune: Mylabs to unveil faster testing platform soon

PUNE: ICMR-approved Mylabs Discovery Solutions is all set to launch a new platform that will allow testing processes to be automated and performed with less involvement of manpower.


TOI analysed the lab infrastructure in the country and why there was a huge backlog in test results in even the reliable RT-PCR test method.

In reply to TOI’s question as to why testing is slow, the company tweeted, “And this is going to change. Very Soon. Stay Tuned!”

The company’s managing director, Hasmukh Rawal, said the platform that the company will unveil, will allow diagnostics at a much faster rate.

“There is a huge requirement of space and manpower to conduct the current tests and thus testing is low. It is a technical test and requires trained manpower. Antigen test is fast, but not as effective. So, we are bringing a platform which will accelerate the testing time without much reliance on manpower. We will launch the machine in 5-7 days,” said Rawal.

Mylabs has, so far, supplied close to 15 lakh test kits to over 20 states. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, about 65 lakh samples have been tested so far and over 1.5 lakh samples are being tested daily.

“Any lab that has been approved by ICMR can purchase our kit. We have supplied kits to labs in hospitals as well as stand-alone labs to ensure that the reach is optimum,” a Mylabs official told TOI.

Mylabs also said the cost of each test has come down a bit but did not quantify the drop. Earlier, it had said a test could be done at Rs1,250 each.

At the retail level, tests in government hospitals are free, whereas, in private ones it costs Rs4,500 per test.

However, according to Rawal, the demand for these tests from labs is also coming down and the reason for the same was unknown.

Asked if Mylabs tests are producing accurate results, the basis on which it was given an approval by ICMR, a spokesperson said, “Yes, the kits are producing accurate results. We have proactively collected feedback from clients. Not all have provided feedback but the feedback so far has been very positive.”