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Browse Innovations
This innovation introduces a novel enzyme-based approach to address the global challenge of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB). The solution encompasses both therapeutic and diagnostic applications, leveraging a unique enzyme formulation that directly targets the robust mycolic acid-containing cell wall of Mtb. By destabilizing this critical barrier, the enzyme facilitates both enhanced drug delivery for treatment and simplified sample preparation for diagnostics, offering a potential breakthrough in combating multi-drug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB strains.
The enzyme-based therapy focuses on the direct degradation of the Mtb cell wall, specifically targeting the mycolic acid-containing outer membrane. This membrane, a hallmark of Mycobacterium species, provides a formidable barrier that contributes to the bacterium’s resistance to conventional antibiotics. The enzyme destabilizes this structure by enzymatically removing outer membrane-embedded porins, which are essential for nutrient uptake and bacterial survival. This disruption compromises the integrity of the cell wall, leading to bacterial lysis or increased susceptibility to other drugs.
When used in combination with existing TB drugs, the enzyme enhances drug diffusion into the bacterial cell by weakening the cell wall, allowing approved antibiotics to more effectively target intracellular components. This synergistic approach not only restricts bacterial proliferation but also limits further infection, offering a promising strategy to control drug-resistant TB.
The enzyme-based therapy stands out from existing TB treatments in several critical ways:
The therapeutic development plan includes:
Current TB diagnostics, particularly sputum-based molecular tests, face significant barriers, including the inability of some patients to produce sputum and the reliance on equipment-intensive mechanical lysis methods. These limitations restrict access to diagnostics in resource-limited settings. The enzyme-based approach offers a transformative solution by enabling sputum-free diagnostics through the use of tongue swabs and simplifying sample preparation.
The enzyme disrupts the Mtb cell wall to release intracellular components, such as DNA, for diagnostic detection. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical lysis, reducing assay complexity and cost. The enzyme’s ability to destabilize the mycolic acid membrane ensures efficient sample preparation, making it compatible with molecular diagnostic techniques like PCR.
The diagnostic development plan includes:
The enzyme has been successfully tested on Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic model organism for Mtb, demonstrating effective cell wall disruption via spot diffusion assays. Additionally, specificity tests on E. coli strains (including K12 and expression strains) and human cell lines (A549, HEK, and CHO) showed no toxicity, indicating a favorable safety profile for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
The innovation targets two critical markets:
This enzyme-based innovation represents a dual-purpose breakthrough in TB management, addressing both treatment and diagnostic challenges posed by drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By directly targeting the mycolic acid cell wall, the enzyme offers a novel mechanism to overcome resistance, enhance drug efficacy, and simplify diagnostics. With promising preliminary results and a clear development roadmap, this solution has the potential to transform TB care, particularly for vulnerable populations and in resource-limited settings.
TB is an infectious airborne disease, whose main etiologic agent is MTb. Although TB is present in every country in the world, this disease mainly affects low-income and vulnerable populations. TB is among the 10 leading causes of death in the world, and the first as an infectious agent in HIV Positive patients. In 2019, TB was responsible for over 1 million deaths. WHO estimates that one-fourth of the world's population is infected with MTb.
Presently existing LAM urine test (Alere, Abbott, USA) has higher sensitivity & specificity, mainly in HIV co-infected TB patients, while its sensitivity and specificity are very less in active TB patients 17-40% average 26 percentage. We propose an improved version of a visual, qualitative, rapid, and affordable test (LAM-Based TB test) for mass screening of TB in urine. Tests are rapid, and results can be interpreted in 10 minutes. The proposed tests are suitable for doctors’ clinics and resource-constrained areas, and no refrigeration is required during storage and transportation. Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a potential marker of active tuberculosis (TB). The test is based on the detection of mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigen in body fluids (blood and sputum etc) that can be used as a potential point of care test for tuberculosis (TB). LAM antigen is a lipopolysaccharide present in mycobacterial cell walls, which is released from metabolically active or degenerating bacterial cells and appears to be present only in people with active TB disease.
Urine-based testing would have advantages over sputum-based testing because urine is easy to collect and store, and lacks the infection control risks associated with sputum collection. This rapid Test is a membrane-based test for the rapid detection of cell wall antigen in urine. Our proposed TB test (detection of antigen in Urine) is rapid (20-25 minutes compared to 8 to 12 weeks for routine culture), low cost and affordable (compared to USD20 for Gene Xpert), do not require equipment, they are point of care easy to use tests and only small amount of sample is needed for the test. The tests can be performed in rural and resource settings where pathology labs or TB labs are not available.
We have completed clinical validation of Rapid Tests in urine samples of TB and HIV co-infected TB patients at one site (Fiocruz, Recife, Brazil) under the BRICS Project. As a result, we found higher accuracy than Alere LAM (Abbott) and FujiLAM (Japan) TB tests. Further, investigations and validation studies are going on in Fiocruz, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to increase its accuracy and make it suitable for mass screening of TB in adult as well as pediatric TB populations in rural and resource-constrained areas of India, China, Brazil, and South Africa (High Burden Countries).
This system combines five essential respiratory care and diagnostic functions into a modular, compact, and interchangeable platform, enabling clinicians (especially suited for primary care and high-burden settings) to rapidly adapt to diverse patient needs with minimal equipment changeover. A multifunctional, high-flow, oxygen-compatible aerosol control device designed for integrated respiratory support and efficient sputum collection to be deployed at a health facility.
truGnom™ by Ruhvenile® Biomedical (www.ruhvenile.com) offers a transformative solution in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), addressing critical challenges in molecular diagnostics and research of any specimen.
Overcoming Limitations in TB Diagnostics
Modern molecular diagnostics, such as PCR, RT-PCR, NGS, and WGS, require high-quality, stable genetic material from diverse sample types. However, conventional transport and preservation media often face challenges, including microbial revival, cold chain dependency, and sample degradation, leading to unreliable results.
How truGnom™ Addresses These Challenges
Impact on TB Research and Public Health
By providing a reliable and efficient medium for specimen transportation and preservation, truGnom™ enhances the accuracy of molecular diagnostics and research reproducibility. Its adoption can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy and research outcomes, contributing to global efforts to end TB.
Current users: Clinical sample Users: PGIMER, Chandigarh | AIIMS, Delhi | SKIMS, Srinagar | AIIMS, Bhopal | KEM Mumbai | MNC Chennai | IPGMER Kolkata | SGPGI Lucknow | SMS Jaipur | RIMS Manipur | Medical college, Thiruvananthapuram | NCL Pune & more Institutes…
Currently, all the above-mentioned 11 hospitals across India are using truGnom™ for immediate analysis and also genetic material preservation, followed by analysis of gallbladder tissue and associated specimens for deep and accurate analysis.
Dr LalPath lab also tested truGnom for their daily work and found it superior in terms of sample transportation, microbes’ inactivation, removing lyses step, accurate, reproducible, and reliable data. We are working with them to make a business deal.
We are ready to serve our indigenous patented product truGnom of any quantity if you want to adapt new technologies!
For more information on truGnom™ and its applications in TB diagnostics and research, please visit www.ruhvenile.com | info@ruhvenile.com | +91 8587033367 | +91 11 3501 7209
Immunocompetent host limit the mycobacterial infection in granulomatic lesions which is an indicative of host immunity against infection. Several studies including ours have demonstrated the active involvement of Sphingolipids on host innate response against M .tuberculosis (Sharma et al, 2017). Of particular note our pioneer and compelling study has advocated that Sphingosine -1 phosphate; the key Sphingolipid moiety is capable of controlling M. tb infection (Nadella et al, 2020) and unpublished data. As S1P is potentially allergic in nature therefore this may not qualify the criteria of new anti-tubercular agent.
In view of this, our unpublished data have shown antimycobacterial potential of ATLS-PA2021 in variety of model we tested including animal challenge. More importantly L serine enhanced the sensitivity of both wild type and MDR strain of mycobacteria for Rifampicin and 2nd line Anti tubercular drugs which indicated adjunct potential of ATLS-PA2021 which we have patented in past. On the basis of these results, we plan to develop ATLSPA based adjunct for 1st and 2nd line Anti tubercular drugs for improving their sensitivity and effective killing of MDR TB.
Based on our striking data, we propose that these combinations, apart from clearing infection, would also tweak polarization of macrophages and T cell to their effector phenotype. We believe that such Sphingolipids directed therapeutics would also reprogram foamy macrophages and contribute significantly in managing MDR Tuberculosis burden in host.
For the first time, the Community Radio-Led TB Awareness and Behavior Change Model (CR-TB ABC), developed by SMART, places Jan Bhagidari at the core of TB elimination efforts. This model transforms Community Radio from a passive information channel into an active catalyst for behavior change. CR-TB ABC fosters co-creation by integrating local knowledge, survivor voices, and government interventions into a participatory framework that drives early detection, stigma reduction, treatment adherence, and community-led support for TB patients.
Key components of the model include:
Timely and accurate diagnosis of bacterial drug resistance is crucial to preventing severe patient outcomes. Given the risks of resistance, early detection is essential not only for effective treatment but also to minimize recurrence and aid in disease control. Globally, diagnosing drug-resistant tuberculosis is a top priority to mitigate its long-term impact. Currently, the most reliable method relies on liquid media, delivering results in about 14 days. However, these tests are costly and require specialized laboratory facilities with strict biosafety measures.We optimize a paper-based microfluidic platform for the detection of M. tuberculosis.
Our methodology involves drug susceptibility testing with the culture filtrate and LRP assay protocol. We exploit the paper-based platforms for the testing of ~ 50 cultures of M. tuberculosis isolates. The key advantage of the developed platforms is fast, easy and inexpensive detection; it provides the results within ~ 3 hours, while the consumption of the necessary reagents is ~50 micro-liters. Mycobacteriophages are the class of viruses known to specifically infect mycobacteria. Techniques involving mycobacteriophages have been developed and evaluated for primary detection and thereafter for drug susceptibility testing.
Currently available techniques involve performing drug susceptibility testing from the primary cultures which requires a minimum of 7 to 28 days based on the associated protocols. The fastest approach even takes ~7 days, requires very expensive reagents and sophisticated infrastructures. From recent literature, a microfluidics-based approach seems to be an effective tool to resolve the aforesaid concerns. Here, we propose a procedure which is very economical and will be able to diagnose rifampicin and isoniazid susceptibility as early as within ~3 hours.
Redwing Labs is advancing the future of public health, including tuberculosis (TB) care delivery, by deploying autonomous drones to bridge last-mile gaps in diagnostic sample transport and drug distribution. The company’s end-to-end aerial logistics platform ensures that sputum and other TB specimens, anti-TB medicines, and diagnostic consumables reach even the most remote communities rapidly, reliably, and sustainably—a critical step toward India’s goal of TB elimination.
From congested urban centers to hard-to-reach tribal and hilly areas, Redwing’s drone technology integrates seamlessly with India’s National TB Elimination Program (NTEP), accelerating timely diagnosis, prompt treatment initiation, and uninterrupted drug supply.
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Saving Lives, One Flight at a Time
In Kandhamal, Odisha, Redwing’s drones have already demonstrated how aerial logistics can overcome geographic barriers. The technology enables sputum samples from remote TB patients to reach CBNAAT or TrueNat laboratories within hours or ensures that MDR-TB drugs are delivered directly to primary health centers—cutting delays that cost lives and fuel transmission.
The TB Challenge Being Addressed
Despite India’s robust NTEP infrastructure, logistical barriers continue to delay TB diagnosis and treatment, particularly in rural, hilly, and tribal settings:
An Integrated Drone Health System for TB
Redwing has developed a turnkey aerial logistics solution tailored for TB programs:
Measurable Impact on TB
Scaling Across India
Redwing’s drone networks are operational in Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Manipur, Nagaland, and Uttar Pradesh, demonstrating scalability across diverse geographies.
By strengthening TB logistics, Redwing Labs enables governments and partners to:
SAKSHAM is a digital learning initiative of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India. It is developed by National Institute of Health and Family Welfare , New Delhi. It is dedicated and unified platform for providing online trainings to all health professionals in the country for their capacity building. Currently portal is hosting 308 public health courses and 335 clinical courses. These courses modules are used by more than 50,000 health professionals in the country. SAKSHAM is integrated with Training Management Information System through which more than 5 lakhs health professionals data is captured which are trained through physical trainings across the country. For more utility, SAKSHAM mobile application has also been developed and currently available in public domain.
Seeing the importance of this initiative, MoHFW has showcased SAKSHAM in all Health Working Group Meetings under G-20 presidency of India. India has offered SAKSHAM as Digital Public Good for capacity building of health professionals in Indo-Pacific Countries under its QUAD presidency. Digital Learning Media Lab has also been established at NIHFW for in-house content development for SAKSHAM portal. Experts can use this media lab for recording of their online training modules.
SAKSHAM is an important digital health initiative which is currently used by medical students, health professionals and general public for awareness, education and capacity building.
