Lord’s Mark Industries and IIT Bombay to co-develop AI-driven Sickle Cell tests in India

INDIA – Lord’s Mark Industries has linked up with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) to develop next-generation point-of-sale (POS) tests for sickle cell disease.

Similarly, Bengaluru-based ShanMukha Innovations has developed an indigenous diagnostic kit for Sickle-Cell Anemia, SickleCert, designed to be a direct aid in clinical decision-making.

This news follows the concerted efforts of various stakeholders, individuals, and organizations in the country to streamline care for patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Moreover, India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has approved national guidelines for the treatment of Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease.

The Indian government also plans to screen approximately 70 million individuals under 40 years living in affected tribal areas to build on its mission to eliminate the disease by 2047.

The government has taken measures to improve sickle cell anemia detection and treatment in central and southern regions.

India has begun newborn screening, a national eradication campaign, clinical trials, and premarital counseling protocols in different regions such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana.

What’s more, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has circulated advisories and allocated Rs. 60 crores (US$7,261,464) to the state and union territories of India seeking grants to tackle sickle cell disease.

The soon-to-be-marketed microscopy-based test was developed by Prof. Debjani Paul and her team from the Dept. of Biosciences & Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

The artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic tool can distinguish between healthy, sickle trait, and sickle anemia blood samples at the point of care.

Patented by IIT Bombay, India’s first AI-enabled POS equipment will be more readily available and easily accessible for use by clinicians for real-time sickle cell disease diagnosis.

The microscopy test will help clinicians to distinguish carriers from individuals who have sickle anemia within 30 minutes compared to traditional tests that take 24 – 48 hours to identify the carriers.

With an overall diagnostic accuracy of 100%, the artificial intelligence-powered POS tests are anticipated to revolutionize sickle cell testing in India.

The POS tests are set to be deployed to government healthcare centers, pathology labs, and Lord’s Mark Industries’ pathology labs throughout the country.

This collaborative project between Lord’s Mark Industries and IIT Bombay intends to address challenges associated with sickle cell testing in different regions across the subcontinent.

“Through this collaboration with IIT-B, Lord’s Mark Industries is committed to providing innovative and effective solutions to sickle cell testing across India, especially in rural regions,” Sachidanand Upadhyay, Founder of Lord’s Mark Industries, said in a press release.

In accordance with the provisions of this agreement, Lord’s Mark Industries will invest Rs 25 crores (US$3,026,213) to develop and distribute the technology-enabled POS equipment in India.

“Lord’s Mark Industries will use its in-house research and development team to manufacture the sickle cell POS instrument at its IVD manufacturing facility in Vasai,” the company said in a statement.

It is part of the prominent diversified business group’s sales strategy to generate revenue of Rs 100 crores (US$12,104,850) prior to the end of the financial year 2026/27.

Sachidanand Upadhyay opened up on Lord’s Mark Industries’ future plans stating: “With the support of the Central Government, we aim to make equipment and testing devices for sickle cell disease available across government healthcare centers and hospitals.”

With an initial Rs. 50 crores (US$6,052,575) investment, Lord’s Mark Industries plans to set up 1000 pathology labs across the country.

Upadhyay pointed out that the additional pathology laboratories will provide easy access to sickle cell testing and various essential healthcare services.

Moreover, this strategic alliance between Lord’s Mark Industries and IIT Bombay will build on LordsMed’s ongoing endeavors to broaden its distribution network.

LordsMed, a division of Lord’s Mark Industries, has signed a distribution deal with Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL), India’s first public sector undertaking in the Drugs & Pharmaceutical Sector.

LordsMed plans to roll out saliva-based diagnostic solutions for a range of diseases as a non-invasive diagnostic option for laboratory clinicians in India.

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