Video title – DRDO’s antibody detection kit DIPCOVAN will soon land in the fight against COVID-19

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DIPCOVAN
Gamechanger against COVID-19

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“In any challenging situation, our scientists and innovators have always risen to the occasion and worked to mitigate the challenge. Over the last year, they have worked industriously to fight COVID-19”, echoed by PM Modi in his recent address to the nation on the occasion of National Technology Day.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1717597

This goes without saying that the unflinching commitment of our scientists and experts have ensured COVID care and robust medical innovation capability amidst the ongoing crisis. A leading role in this fight against COVID-19 is played by the arms of the Defence Ministry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBO4JEhBE98 (1:49 – 2:18)

Leading India’s vision of aatamnirbharta, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has designed an indigenous antibody detection kit named ‘DIPCOVAN’. It is drafted for sero-surveillance, which provides an estimate of antibody levels against infectious diseases.

Let’s get to know more about this antibody detecting kit

‘DIPCOVAN’ can detect both spikes as well as nucleocapsid proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with a specificity of 99 per cent and high sensitivity of 97 per cent. With the help of extensive validation, the kit was developed indigenously by our scientists. It is quite apparent from the fact that ‘DIPCOVAN’ was validated with more than 1,000 patient samples collected at various COVID designated hospitals in Delhi.

It is worth noting that ‘DIPCOVAN’ has received approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare so that It can be manufactured for sale and distribution.

Now, let’s get an understanding regarding the significance of ‘DIPCOVAN’

‘DIPCOVAN’ intends to understand COVID‐19 epidemiology and assesses an individual’s previous SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure. It is developed for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies in human serum or plasma, targeting SARS-CoV-2 related antigens.

It is interesting to note that ‘DIPCOVAN’ has a shelf life of 18 months and a turn-around time of just 75 minutes, which helps in conducting the test without any cross-reactivity with other diseases.

The wait is almost over as indigenously developed ‘DIPCOVAN’ will be launched in the first week of June 2021. Readily available stock at the time of launch will be 100 kits with a production capacity of 500 kits/month. It is expected to be available at about Rs 75 per test.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also appreciated the efforts of DRDO and the industry in developing the kit at the time of need. He also mentioned that the kit will help the people in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has appreciated the efforts of @DRDO_India and the industry in developing the kit at the time of need. This kit will help the people in their fight against COVID-19 Pandemic. https://t.co/EV4EfndsLW

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) May 21, 2021

Besides antibody detection kit, DRDO has worked industriously to fight COVID-19 by contributing

– SpO2 based oxygen supply system known as oxycare systems,https://twitter.com/DRDO_India/status/1392410868898357249?s=20

– anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), https://twitter.com/DRDO_India/status/1390961209776623618?s=20

– oxygen cylinders for fulfilling requirements of different hospitals,https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1388014410698956803?s=20

– Medical Oxygen Plant technology and https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1387299821262761985?s=20

– single-crystal blades technologyhttps://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1386635950176960515?s=20

DRDO has left no stone unturned in providing all possible assistance to the civilian administration.

India’s scientists have redefined the research and development of the nation. The scientific and technological prowess of the country is marked by the passion and determination of our scientific experts.

https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1046753571427905536?s=20 (00:01-00:30) (PM Modi’s Byte)

We will be back with more updates, thanks for watching…

Sources/Visuals

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1714134
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1714134

In any challenging situation, our scientists and innovators have always risen to the occasion and worked to mitigate the challenge. Over the last year, they have worked industriously to fight COVID-19. I appreciate their spirit and remarkable zeal.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 11, 2021

DRDO develops COVID-19 antibody detection kit DIPCOVAN. The kit can detect spike as well as nucleocapsid (S&N) proteins of SARS-CoV-2 virus.#AtmanirbharBharat https://t.co/ubsrYIxGyo pic.twitter.com/B356vaeKYG

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) May 21, 2021

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has appreciated the efforts of @DRDO_India and the industry in developing the kit at the time of need. This kit will help the people in their fight against COVID-19 Pandemic. https://t.co/EV4EfndsLW

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) May 21, 2021

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1720604