5 private labs get govt approval to conduct genome sequencing

NEW DELHI: The government has approved five private laboratories to carry out whole genome sequencing of Sars-CoV-2 samples, the process that identifies the variant, people aware of the matter said.

Three of the laboratories are in Bengaluru and the remaining in Delhi and Ahmedabad each, according to details accessed by HT, which show that these labs will now be part of the Indian SarsCoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog).

“…the competent authority of the department of biotechnology has approved the inclusion of the following private genome sequencing laboratories in the Indian

Sars-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium..,” said an office order issued on Tuesday by the department of biotechnology, which is part of the Union science ministry.

The Bengaluru-based labs are Strand Life Sciences, Genotypic Technologies Pvt Ltd, and Eurofins Genomics India; the one from Delhi CARINGdx, and the one from Ahmedabad is Neuberg Supratech Reference Labs Pvt Ltd.

“The work has not started yet as we have just been intimated by the government about our lab having been included for genome sequencing. The next step is going to be to have a dialogue with the authorities concerned on how to go about the process as there are certain conditions that the labs are meant to follow,” said Dr Harsh Mahajan, founder of CARINGdx, which is part of Mahajan Imaging.

Experts have suggested private labs can be roped into the genome surveillance process.

“Involvement of private sector was considered as one of the options for genome sequencing . However, there are certain conditions that have been underlined for the labs that they need to fulfil ,” said a senior central government official.

EXPERTS HAVE SUGGESTED PRIVATE LABS CAN BE ROPED INTO THE GENOME SURVEILLANCE PROCESS.