'DIPCOVAN': DRDO develops Covid-19 antibody detection kit

Aiding India's fight against Covid-19, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed an antibody detection-based kit ‘DIPCOVAN’.

The kit will be useful for understanding Covid-19 epidemiology and assessing an individual’s previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Developed in association with Delhi-based Vanguard Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, the kit will help in qualitative detection  of antibodies in human serum or plasma.

According to a statement by the DRDO, DIPCOVAN offers a significantly faster turn-around time as it requires just 75 minutes to conduct the test.

Approved by the ICMR in April 2021, the kit will be sold across India from June first week for Rs 75 each. The kit has a shelf life of 18 months.