Karnataka Deputy chief Minister, Dr C N Ashwath Nararyan has launched 7 new products launched by startups incubated at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Center(BBC), supported by the state government, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the launch on September 9, Dr Narayaan congratulated the Start ups who developed the products and said “The products launched today again has exhibited the Innovation potential of Bangalore and Karnataka; I congratulate them and wish them all the best.”

Dr. E.V. Ramana Reddy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the Department of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Government of Karnataka and Chairman, BBC said “The Department has provided all possible help to get these products and launch stage and will help them in further in connecting them to right business partners through Karnataka Startup Cell and BBC”.

Dr Anita Gupta, Head, National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and Advisor, DST, Government of India said “I congratulate BBC, KITS, Karnataka Start up Cell and Innovators to have developed such Innovative Products to mitigate COVID 19 and rising up to the challenge posed by the Pandemic”. She also said “BBC and KITS could approach NSTEDB for funding support under the suitable schemes”

Karnataka Startup Cell, Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) launched Combat Covid-19 Challenge in March 2020 inviting applications from innovators who have developed innovative product/ solutions to combat Covid19 pandemic. Karnataka Startup Cell received 345 applications across 3 phases. The applications were evaluated through a structured evaluation process by independent jury nominated by industry associations against certain parameters like Novelty/ Innovation, Feasibility & Social Impact, Timeline for Deployment and Reach, Scalability & Regulatory Hurdles, and Team Strength. Based on the readiness, certifications & compliances, 16 product/ solutions were selected for showcase.

The new products launched are:

1. NucleoDx RT: Developed by Innovator-start up Dr Prabhakar Kulkarni of NeoDx Biotech labs is a simple and cost effective method of RNA isolation to be used in RT PCR for detection of COVID 19. This is developed indigenously.

2. CoviDx mPlex 3R and 4R: Developed by Innovator-start up Dr Prabhakar Kulkarni of NeoDx Biotech labs is an in-vitro RT PCR qualitative assay for detection of COVID 19 virus utilizing three and four genes identification. This is sensitive assay and is indigenously developed. It has got ICMR approval and CDSCO approval for manufacturing.

3. Dr Tapaman: Developed by Innovator start up Dr Latha Damle of Atrimed is a device which measures body temperature as a symptom for COVID 19. Unlike similar device available in market, it does’t have a trigger but a switch, lighter in weight and does not emit and radiation. So it is user friendly and is developed entirely indigenously.

4. SAFAE Biosecurity Solutions: Developed by Innovator Shri Gangadhar R from Med Tech Division of KAPTRONICS, the tunnel provides for automated temperature scanner, blood oxygen level check, mask detection, automated hand wash, complete disinfection of body, clothes and luggage, in addition to contact tracing of people within location of installation. It is completely developed indigenously and one of its kind in the country.

5. UVEE beamer: The product is developed by Innovator Mr Ravi Kumar from Biofi and the device eliminates germs by denaturing their DNA. The elimination of germs is effected within 30 seconds and is unmanned with 360 degree UV exposure.

6. UVEE conveyor: The product is developed by Innovator Mr Ravi Kumar from Biofi and the device is an enclosed moving belt with a UV- C system that kills germs on objects of varying sizes and will be mostly useful and big commercial spaces.

7. AI based Chain mobile app: The product is developed by the Innovator Ms Vishnupriya from Aviana HV Bioscience Pvt Ltd in Collaboration with WNFT technologies PVT Ltd. This mobile app uses chest X-ray images and gives instant COVID positive or negative result.

 

In recent week, startups at BBC had launched 16 other products , all related to handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Innovators who developed these products expressed their gratitude to BBC, Karnataka Startup Cell, KITS and the Department in facilitating and providing all the necessary support such as Incubation and mentorship at BBC and funding.

Dr Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director said “BBC is committed to provide all supports such as Infrastructure/equipment, funding, mentorship, networking and branding support to the Innovators and the launch of these products in addition to earlier launch of fifteen products is a testimony to this”

Signing of MoU between BBC and IIT-SINE, Mumbai

The occasion also saw signing of MoU between IIT-SINE, Mumbai and BBC. On the eve of signing of MoU, Prof Santosh Gharpure, IIT SINE said “that that expertise and capabilities of mature Incubators like IIT-SINE in facilitating funding, technical help through IIT faculties and networking support to the start-ups of BBC would open up a co-incubation model and help IIT-SINE Innovators to access mature ecosystem of Bangalore through BBC”.

MD KITS Ms Meena Nagaraj thanked all the Innovators and speakers on the occasion and said “I am glad that this event has brought to light the Innovation potential of Startups in Bengaluru and hope to see more products launched soon”.

Karnataka Deputy chief Minister, Dr C N Ashwath Nararyan has launched 7 new products launched by startups incubated at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Center(BBC), supported by the state government, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.