Kochi: Kochi has become home to country's first research-oriented comprehensive auto-immunology diagnostic laboratory.
Genomics-driven research and diagnostics company MedGenome Labs has joined hands with Care Hospital, Kochi, to launch the lab named Immucare in a 6,000 sq ft area in the Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
Dr Padmanabha Shenoy, consultant rheumatologist who owns the Care Hospital, said India has over 100 autoimmune diseases and is one of the top ten reasons for death in women and children. In the Kerala population, 15-20 lakh people have autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells. It can affect different organs.
"Immucare would be the only centre in the country dedicated to research, diagnostics and analysis of autoimmune diseases. The markers and tests of autoimmune diseases will be primarily grouped under the specialisations of neurology, gastroenterology, hepatology, nephrology, rheumatology, dermatology, infertility and allergies," he said.
"The joint venture aims at providing clinicians accurate, precise and timely diagnosis which will further help reduce the adverse effect of autoimmune and associated ailments, apart from research for the development of tests, products and tools to enhance patient care."
Sam Santhosh, CEO & founder of MedGenome Labs, said they cause substantial chronic morbidity and there is a huge unmet need for diagnosis as well as research on them in India.
"Being a market leader in genetic testing, we have decided to foray into this area," he said.
Pathologist and CEO of Immucare Dr Aparna Jairam said the lab would assess samples from all over India and serve clinicians in almost all disciplines.
"State-of-the-art technology to perform cell-based analyses, automated Elisa antigen-antibody tests, Immunofixation, blot-based assays, advanced molecular-based systems, genetic tests and electrophoresis combined with a well experienced and committed team of professionals makes Immucare unique," she said.
