India gears up for rapid virus testing as rising hotspots ring alarm bells

Bengaluru-based Bione to launch test kits next week

Bengaluru-based biotech start-up Bione is set to put on the market by next week an antibody-based rapid test kit for Covid-19 that will give results at home in 10-15 minutes. Some other companies too are in the fray.

As several hot spots emerge in the country, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the country’s apex health research body, on Thursday issued an interim advisory to use rapid test kits in the hot spots to screen the population.

Firms like Bione can play the role of a game changer in the coronavirus-testing landscape of the country.

The ICMR has so