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Adopting newer diagnostics
Local diagnostic companies too are launching newer diagnostic products.
The Indian diagnostics market is growing at 15-20 percent
annually. And newer products are being introduced not only by global players but
also by Indian companies.
Bangalore-based XCyton Diagnostics has developed the DNA chip
for simultaneous identification of 15 different pathogens causing eye
infections. Xcytoscreen Keratoconjuctivitus, Uveitis, Retinitis and
Endophthalmitis, the specific and sensitive dignostic kits for the detection of
15 microrganisms responsible for infection to both eyes and brain have been
developed for the first time in the country and is based on Nucleic Acid
Amplification technology and Macro-chip. "About 2,00,000 people suffer from
eye infections in India every year and a million globally. The Xcyto-Screen kit
has the advantage of being able to detect a series of the eye infecting
microorganisms," said Dr Ravikumar, managing director, XCyton Diagnostics,
at the product launch event.
Navi Mumbai-based Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd (YBL) is one of
the few Indian biotech companies focused on molecular diagnostics.YBL uses the
proteins purified from human biomedical waste as reagents for the development of
indigenous kits. Efforts are on to forge public-private partnership in
development of diagnostics on the principles of immunology, DNA detection
system, and instrumentation. The focus to develop diagnostics for cancers, acute
lower respiratory infection, HIV, diarrhoea, malaria, tuberculosis, and sexually
transmitted infections is on the rise. These diseases result in a significant
loss of human life.
The National Biotechnology Development Strategy of the
Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has talked about the
diagnostics for emerging medical paradigm in the sectoral road map and also
suggested some strategic actions for the sector. The strategic actions include
establishing a cell for diagnostic biotechnology to encourage and support
studies in the clinical application of pharmacogenomics. This cell should be
well positioned to overcome barriers in its work to bring pharmacogenomics to
the clinical setting; encourage research involving investigators with both
clinical practice and pharmacology/ pharmacokinetics expertise while at the same
time keeping the overall goal of clinical application/utility in focus; provide
incentives for this group of clinician-researchers to bring these scientific
advances to the patient bedside; support education programs to providers of the
importance of this field and its utility; encourage biopharmaceutical companies
to include pharmacogenomic data in their drug submissions.
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Asia outlook
With the presence of rich pool of
innovation and intellectual property, manufacturing capacity, emerging
industry players and maturing market-Asia is beginning to experience the
surge in IVD market. At present, Asia Pacific accounts for only two
percent of the IVD global sale. Over the past few years, the Asian IVD
market has been the only region experiencing close to a double-digit
growth rate. While an ageing population and widening health insurance
penetration are advancing growth opportunities in this high potential
market, divergent country-specific social, economic, political and
healthcare issues threaten to impede overall market development. The
Kalorama Information report predicts that emerging markets, such as South
America and Southeast Asia, where rising standards of living have sparked
the growing demands for quality medical care, will experience 10-20
percent annual growth. While Japan, EU, and the US markets, comprising 85
percent of the IVD market, will begin to lose market share, with their
portion of the market decreasing to 80 percent by 2010. Asia's ageing
population is expected to double by 2025, increasing the number of people
likely to require medical treatment. Rising average life expectancies
coupled with more affluence are expected to boost expenditure on
healthcare treatments, including IVD. For instance, Japan-with the world's
third largest aged population-accounts for 90 percent of IVD market
revenues in Asia. In other countries, governments are being confronted
with the dilemma of reducing healthcare outlays even while expanding
healthcare coverage to all. However, the growing realization of their
tremendous financial and therapeutic benefits is furthering the popularity
of IVD tests. From being under-utilized and undervalued, IVD tests are now
increasingly being regarded as key to improving overall cost efficiency
and patient outcomes. |
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