XCyton Diagnostics Pvt Ltd. an immunodiagnostic and molecular diagnostic major, is all set for pilot clinical trials with the country's first ever DNA macro chip to test Acute Encephalitis Syndrome. The trial will be conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in a few weeks after which it will go in for large scale national multi centric human study.

The company embarked on a two year, DNA macro chip development project in 2008 under the New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) programme for which it received Rs.6.7 crore. Besides, the chip for Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, it has developed two other chips for Septicemia, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome and for detection of antibiotic drug resistance. Under a tripartite pact with NIMHANS, St. John's Medical College Hospital and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, the three chips would be commercialized in 2012.

All three chips detect critical infections caused by probable pathogens: parasite, virus, fungus and bacteria to speed-up syndrome-based diagnosis which is a challenge for specialists to treat. DNA macro chip branded as 'XCyto Screen' is a highly sensitive 'one-test' with 'one-sample' allowing a report turnaround of 8 hours compared to 3-days in conventional tests, Dr. BV Ravi Kumar, managing director, XCyton Diagnostics told Pharmabiz.

The simultaneous identification of all pathogens causing any particular syndrome helps accurate detection of the organism. This helps in specific antibiotic administration to patients, he added.

The company began its operations with in-house R&D of immunodiagnostic kits: HIV, HEP, Cysti ( neurocysticercosis) and Japanese Encephalitis supplied to World Health Organization(WHO). In 2007, it developed 'XCyto Screen' its maiden molecular diagnostic kit for eye and brain infections. With financial assistance from Amvar Investments, a sister-concern of Nadathur Holdings, two DNA chips to test fevers are under development. The first chip is to detect Typhoid, Chickungunya, Leptospirosis and Scrub typhus. It is gearing up for 'Scrub typhus' pediatric trials at St. John's Medical College Hospital. The second chip is for febrile neutropenia, a condition which reduces white blood cells. The company is also looking to tap the emerging markets of South East Asia.

Although molecular diagnostics are preferred by specialists, hospitals labs require bio-safety labs to carry out the tests. Going by demand for instant investigation, XCyton invested in a molecular diagnostic centre to offer Xyto Screens to hospitals for fast critical illness diagnosis. It has arranged to pick samples across Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Tiruchirapalli. The samples packed according to laboratory requirements are dispatched overnight and results are emailed.

With the laboratory outsourcing catching up XCyton is working towards a national expansion by June 2010. Our much-sought after clientele are critical care specialists and we are working to offer the concept of golden hour during emergencies, said Dr. Kumar.

The DNA macro chip for eye-brain infections bagged the best product award at the Bio Singapore Technology in 2009 and European patent is also expected in a few weeks.