HiMedia, ICAR-NIHSAD enter into technology license agreement

HiMedia is happy to announce that it has signed a Technology License Agreement with Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal for producing indirect ELISA kit for Avian Influenza virus antibody detection in chicken. The agreement covers all related patents and biological material necessary for manufacturing of the test. ICAR-NIHSAD will provide all know-how and training to HiMedia.

The indirect ELISA kit for avian influenza virus antibody detection in chicken is a recombinant nucleoprotein-based ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) that is more sensitive than Agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) & Hemagglutination inhibition (HI), and can be performed in all labs with ease. It is suitable for the screening of large number of chicken serum samples. HiMedia plans to manufacture this diagnostic ELISA kit using ICAR-NIHSAD technology in India and market the kit worldwide.

Dr Rajas Warke, Director (Molecular Biology, HiMedia) stated, “We look forward to continuing this successful cooperation with ICAR-NIHSAD for manufacturing indirect ELISA kit for avian influenza virus antibody detection in chicken. Regular serological surveillance of commercial and backyard poultry for avian influenza is essential for control of the disease in India. The indigenously developed indirect ELISA kit for avian influenza virus antibody detection is a cheaper alternative to imported kits for regular sero-surveillance of commercial and backyard chicken and can be performed easily by laboratory personnel.”

Currently, Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RDDLs) and State Disease Investigation Laboratories import commercial ELISA kits at a high cost to conduct sero-surveillance for avian influenza in accordance with the National Action Plan (NAP). The aim of the license is to facilitate rapid manufacture and commercialization of the test worldwide.

Overall, the agreement between HiMedia and ICAR-NIHSAD holds the potential to benefit both commercial and backyard poultry, as well as the overall avian health in the country. HiMedia aims to address the needs of the fast-growing global veterinary diagnosis market with innovative solutions and this agreement is an another step towards it.

Dr Aniket Sanyal, Director of ICAR-NIHSAD, Dr ajas Warke, Director (Molecular Biology) of M/S HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., and Dr Praveen Malik, CEO of M/S Agrinnovate India Ltd., were the signatories in this agreement. Dr Niranjan Mishra, Incharge, Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU), played a key role in license documentation & kit procedures for commercialization. Under the leadership of the innovator Dr Sandeep Bhatia, Dr Atul Kumar Pateriya & Dr Naveen Kumar contributed significantly to the development of the kit. The ELISA kit, known for its high sensitivity (99%) and specificity (99%), adheres to international standards.
MB Bureau