US-based Quest Diagnostics has brought in three global gold standard testing technologies that have never been offered before in the country.

The first is a liquid-based pap test to India for simple and early diagnosis of cervical cancer. The technology represents a superior methodology to the conventional pap test. By combining the liquid-based pap test with a genetic HPV test, Quest is making available for India women India, the world's gold standard cervical screening test.

The second test known as 'Leumeta' represents a breakthrough in the treatment and monitoring of leukaemia and lymphoma. It detects specific proteins, DNA and RNA expressed within the tumour cells that are shed into the blood stream through the process of apoptosis (as cells die) and found in blood plasma. The tests allow physicians, through a blood draw, to more efficiently manage therapy without the pain and inconvenience of frequent bone marrow procedures.

The third test is for detecting cardiovascular disease (CAD) with a novel biomarker 'Ion Mobility' test which is a direct, accurate and reproducible measurement of both the size and number of lipoprotein particles. This is also a first test of its kind in the world offered in India ahead of its introduction in Western Europe, "Ken Finnegan, VP International, Quest Diagnostics, told Pharmabiz.

The company is still awaiting the results with Ion Mobility being used to measure ApoB, which is found in LDL and IDL and VLDL, recommended as the best way to guide cardiovascular statin based therapy.

In order to offer Indian patients the advanced diagnostics, Quest has installed Cap CTM a PCR instrument from Roche called which is the first of its kind in South Asia. This is a Nobel prize winning technology provides sensitivity and accuracy that is not matched anywhere in the market, informed Finnegan.

The LCMS MS based testing for Vitamin D, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, provide incredible improvement in sensitivity.

Currently, it offers the most comprehensive test menu comprising over 3000 tests and more additions in genetics, cancer, endocrinology, and infectious disease for the Indian market.

India represents a $1billion market opportunity for high-quality diagnostic testing services. Approximately 70 per cent of all healthcare decisions rely on the insights of diagnostic test results, yet only 2-3 per cent of India's healthcare economy is devoted to diagnostic testing. We estimate that the market is growing at close to 20 per cent year over year and has the potential to accelerate beyond that rate, added Finnegan.