Affordable Sickle Cell Anaemia Test Kit To Launch Soon, Priced Under ₹100: CSIR Chief
Affordable Sickle Cell Anaemia Test Kit To Launch Soon, Priced Under ₹100: CSIR Chief
Pune, July 19, 2025: A revolutionary sickle cell anaemia screening test kit, developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), will hit the market within six months at a cost of less than ₹100, announced Dr. N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, in Pune on Friday.
“This affordable kit requires just a single drop of blood and delivers results within 30 minutes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It will help identify whether a person is a patient, carrier, or at risk. The aim is to make early diagnosis accessible, even in remote areas,” Dr Kalaiselvi said on the sidelines of the second National Scientists Round Table Conference (NSRTC) 2025 at MIT World Peace University.
India accounts for 14.5% of global sickle cell disease (SCD) births, with over 42,000 newborns affected in 2023 alone. Despite its serious health impact, SCD often remains underdiagnosed due to low awareness, especially in rural regions.
The government’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in July 2023, is already addressing these gaps, but parallel efforts at CSIR labs have focused on developing cost-effective point-of-care diagnostics and exploring genome editing for a potential cure.
“Currently, treatment costs in the US can go up to ₹28 crore per patient. Our goal is to bring this down to approximately ₹50 lakh through advanced research,” Dr Kalaiselvi added.
AI, Hydrogen and Peaceful Science
The CSIR chief also highlighted how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming sectors like energy, road safety, and scientific research. Projects like i-RASTE are reducing road accidents, while AI-powered battery management systems prevent thermal runaways in mobile phone batteries.
Speaking on green hydrogen, Dr Kalaiselvi noted: “For hydrogen to be economically viable for e-mobility, the cost must come down from $3/kg to $1/kg. Indian Oil is making significant investments in this direction.”
In her keynote address, Dr Kalaiselvi observed, “Science is truth, but science is also peace. Today’s students are not just seeking jobs—they’re creating startups and employment. This silent revolution must be nurtured.”
The conference also honoured astrophysicist Dr Jayant Narlikar with the Vigyan Maharshi Award, posthumously. His daughter, Dr Leelavati Narlikar, accepted the award carrying a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.
