(October 1, 2021) Anu Acharya-led Mapmygenome India recently handed over one lakh COVID test kits to the Telangana government as part of their initiative with Zymo Research. The initiative aims to donate one million such kits across the country. The kits include new DNA/RNA shield – Direct Detect reagent which makes testing for covid and collecting samples safer and significantly reduces the testing time as well.
The team is working with various state governments to facilitate the distribution of the kits across most of India’s major states. Since the reagent safeguards viral RNA from degradation in these new kits, it does not require nucleic acid extraction like in other test kits. The removal of this step reduces the time to get PCR test results. Acharya said, “Mapmygenome has always been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, in terms of testing and prevention. Our partnership with Zymo Research has had an important role to play in this journey. While many biotechnology and testing suppliers have tended to concentrate on their domestic testing efforts, we appreciate Zymo Research’s global humanitarian effort to help eradicate COVID,” Acharya said.
Founded in 2012, Mapmygenome is the country’s largest personal genomics company, which encourages people to be proactive about their health. It offers personalized health solutions based on genetic tests that help people to understand their genetic selves. Based in Hyderabad, the company organizes and studies genetic data and allows customers to get counseling to interpret the results. The company has tie-ups with over 40 hospitals. Acharya, an alumna of IIT-Kharagpur and University of Illinois at Chicago, also serves on the board of Association of Biotech Enterprises, advisory board for Action for India, and on the board of mentors at IvyCap Ventures.
