BD Biosciences has launched in Hyderabad the latest generation technology in the field of Flow Cytometry – BDFACS Aria Cell Sort -- which promises to take drug research and discovery a step ahead. The new technology makes the scanning of millions of cells in minimum time. Flow Cytometry is a count and measure of the physical and chemical characteristics of numerous biological particles such as cells, cell subsets, DNA, surface antigens and bacteria.

According to Sunit Trivedi, general manager, BD Biosciences, the business segment of Becton Dickinson India, the wholly owned subsidiary of the $4-billion US-based healthcare company, the new device would help the researchers avoid tedious instrument optimization. As a result, the long-term economic benefits of this advanced technology to the end-consumer would be substantial in terms of cost effectiveness of drugs and time economy.

“Flow Cytometry is helping tremendously in the development of various drugs and vaccines for dreaded diseases such as leukaemia and AIDS and for stem cell therapy. BD Biosciences, by bringing the latest technology to local research and the scientist community, is helping India to emerge to the Flow Cytometry map of the world,” Trivedi said.

BD Biosciences expects huge potential for the latest generation Flow Cytometry technology from the laboratories of CSIR, ICMR, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), biotechnology parks coming up in various states, universities and contract research organisations across the country.

BD India, with three strategic segments under its fold – medical systems, biosciences and clinical laboratory solutions – has its manufacturing facility In Haryana at an investment of Rs 110 crore. The company, which recorded a turnover of Rs 225 crore in 2001-02, expects to close the current fiscal with a turnover of over Rs 300 crore.