Probiosys, subsidiary division of Automed Systems has applied for certification from the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR) as part of its increased focus in the area of rapid microbiology. The certification, according to the company, would help to increase its efforts to carry out advanced rapid microbiology tests for the life-sciences industry.


Being the only FDA/ ISO compliant lab dedicated to training in India, Probiosys has also applied for projects from the Department of Biotechnology. The subsidiary, which also serves as a Finishing School, has now received assistance up to Rs.1 crore which is up to 25 percent of the cost of equipment and instruments.


“The funds are expected before the March 31, 2011 that would give a fillip to training and testing services. We have now a three pronged strategy in place for being associated with the DBT projects. These would include focus in the area of nanotechnology, tissue engineering and rapid microbiology applications. Our marketing alliance with AES Chemunex an international rapid microbiology company will also expand the product portfolio in rapid microbiology systems”, said Bhanu Prakash, CEO, Automed Systems.


The market for rapid microbiology products in India currently is around Rs.100 crore and is expected to grow ten-fold in the next 3 years as organisations begin using it for in process applications. Rapid Microbiology also provides innovative methods for faster detection of microbial contamination in the manufacture of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and personal care products. Present competition for the Automed in the space are Merck-Millipore and Lonza, he added.


The study of microbes has advanced to a higher level where rapid microbiology is taking the face of biotechnology. Rapid microbiology is the latest technique which industries across the world are implementing to meet the challenges of better product quality and compliance.


In order to expand the market, Probiosys organized a rapid microbiology summit in Bangalore in association with AES Chemunex to help the life sciences industry to adopt conventional microbiological assays and the opportunities for implementing new, rapid methods.


Indian companies like Panecea Biotech, Biocon, Glenmark, Apotex, Natural Remedies, Reckitt Benckiser, Gangagen have implemented rapid microbiology processes to stay ahead of the market. “The challenge before us is to tap newer areas and applications like adoption of rapid microbiology in blood banks”, stated Prakash.


Rapid Microbiology is an emerging technology and will take some time for Indian companies to adopt it. Within the next 10 years it is going to change people’s perception about microbiology, stated Sourabh Mathur, Business Head, Probiosys.