Indian pharma majors step in to develop, import coronavirus test kits

The rapid test uses a blood sample and gives results based on detecting the presence of certain antibodies that react to the coronavirus protein

Indian pharma majors are gearing up to develop or import testing kits for the novel coronavirus as demand for testing picks up. Big names like Cadila Healthcare and Biocon (through Syngene) are in the process of developing indigenous testing kits (rapid antibody testing kits). Some such as Eris Lifesciences, Mylan, and Gland Pharma, among others, are also importing from international suppliers.

There are two kinds of testing for the novel coronavirus — the real-time polymerase chain reaction test kit that uses throat or nasal swabs and provides results in a few hours, and the other is antibody-based rapid testing kit that