Archives November 2023

Janhvi Kapoor unveils Kalyan Jewellers’ 2 new showrooms in Kolkata at Barrackpore and Barasat

Janhvi Kapoor unveils Kalyan Jewellers

Barrackpore, 27th November 2023: Kalyan Jewellers, one of India’s most trusted and leading jewellery companies, today launched 2 new showrooms in Kolkata at Barasat and Barrackpore. Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor inaugurated the showrooms, which will offer an unparalleled experience to patrons in a world-class ambiance. The showroom at Barasat is located at Ghosh Para Road, North 24 Parganas, whereas in Barrackpore it is located at Jessore Road opp. Calcutta High School. With these launches, Kalyan Jewellers marks its presence across 7 locations in the state of West Bengal. The company has been consistently expanding its brand footprint and operations in the region, to supplement its growth and make the brand more accessible to patrons in West Bengal.

As part of the launch offer, Kalyan Jewellers is offering customers with a complimentary 1 gram gold coin on every Rs. 50,000*. This offer is applicable on a minimum purchase of Rs. 1 lakh.

Addressing the enthralled crowd, Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor said, “It’s a privilege for me to be a part of Kalyan Jewellers’ grand showroom launch celebrations here in Kolkata. I believe that its stunning collections are a perfect fusion of grace, paying homage to the diverse traditions followed across our nation. Serving as a representative for this esteemed brand fills me with great pride, knowing that it is built on the pillars of trust and transparency, along with a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. I am confident that the patrons in this region will wholeheartedly embrace and support the brand.”

Talking about the new showroom, Mr. Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers, said, “As a company, we have achieved huge milestones and taken major strides towards creating a holistic ecosystem to enhance the customer shopping experience. We are delighted to announce the launch of our new showrooms in Barrackpore and Barasat. As we embark on this next phase of our growth journey, consistently expanding our geographical footprint in the region, we are committed to continue offering best-in-class shopping experience to our customers, while staying true to the company’s core values of trust and transparency in times to come.”

The newly-launched showrooms will feature an extensive range of designs from Kalyan Jewellers’ jewellery collections, presented in a world-class ambience. Celebrating the launch, Kalyan Jewellers’ has announced exciting offers for patrons in the region.

The jewellery retailed at Kalyan Jewellers is all BIS hallmarked and goes through multiple purity tests. Patrons will also receive Kalyan Jewellers’ 4-Level Assurance Certificate, which guarantees purity, free lifetime maintenance of ornaments, detailed product information, and transparent exchange and buy-back policies. The certification is part of the brand’s commitment to offering the very best to its loyalists.

The showroom will also stock Kalyan’s popular house brands, including Muhurat (Wedding Jewellery Line), Mudhra (Handcrafted Antique Jewellery), Nimah (Temple Jewellery), Glo (Dancing Diamonds), Ziah (Solitaire-like Diamond Jewellery), Anokhi (Uncut Diamonds), Apoorva (Diamonds for Special Occasions), Antara (Wedding Diamonds), Hera (Daily Wear Diamonds), Rang (Precious Stones Jewellery), and the recently launched Lila (Coloured Stones and Diamond Jewellery).

Leaders for India Organization (LIO) builds a community of 100 dynamic entrepreneurs seeking strategic investments and business synergies

Bengaluru, 25th November 2023- Leaders for India Organization (LIO) is a member-only community that unites business leaders, entrepreneurs, and angel investors by harnessing their collective resources to drive mutual growth. The Leaders for India Organization was started by the dynamic entrepreneur Mohnish Yerra in 2022. In just 18 months, LIO has secured a membership exceeding 100 business leaders with a combined net worth of Rs. 25,000 Crores. LIO has an investment portfolio exceeding Rs. 20 crores in 16 diverse business opportunities across various sectors, including FinTech, EdTech, and Defence Tech. LIO also manages an AUM of 9.05 crore for its members in financial instruments including hedge funds and bonds. To diversify the portfolio, LIO forayed into the lucrative real estate sector by allocating Rs.18 crore towards real estate investments. It has firmly positioned itself as a trusted partner for wealth creation, extending financial support. LIO not only injects capital but also nurtures budding concepts into thriving enterprises.

Leaders for India Organization (LIO) acts as a business accelerator and startup incubation platform, offering personalized one-on-one support based on unique professional needs and aspirations through effective networking and mentorship. LIO is a holistic consultancy firm that epitomizes the motto ‘Invest, Innovate, Impact,’ with a steadfast commitment to nurturing the ambitions of emerging entrepreneurs, serving as their extended team. As its tagline suggests, LIO is ‘The Trusted Partner in Your Wealth Creation Journey.’ The organization provides personalized support, functioning as a Business Accelerator, Financial Advisor, Startup Incubator, and Technology Consultant, ensuring entrepreneurs receive tailored guidance for success. LIO has curated diverse platforms catering to startup needs. ‘LIO Business Shower’ is a standout initiative enabling idea presentations, investment acquisition, and market exploration for emerging businesses.

In addition to this platform, we host ‘Green Pitch’ and ‘Powerplay’ as distinctive forms of business showers. ‘Green Pitch’ and ‘Powerplay’ are monthly events where startups pitch their innovative ideas, seeking investments or avenues to enter new markets. These dynamic forums provide passionate startups with opportunities crucial for their growth.

Furthermore, ‘LIO Day’ offers personalized sessions, assessing and refining investment plans while facilitating collaboration among members. Additionally, LIO orchestrates recreational events, fostering relaxation and serving as a fruitful networking avenue for its members.

Speaking about the achievement Mr. Mohnish Yerra, Founder and CEO, Leaders for India Organization said, “At LIO we strive to redefine the way financial services are delivered to the business community and revolutionize the way networking operates. LIO is a member-only community that aims to usher in a new era by bridging the gap between Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, and Angel Investors across the country by untapping the financial and technical resources and leveraging them for mutual growth. LIO is a community of Industry Leaders, Entrepreneurs with a willingness to grow self-business or invest in startups. It is a dynamic ecosystem and interconnected business network that brings industry leaders together for mutual advancement. With the guiding principle of ‘Invest, Innovate, Impact,’ LIO serves as a steadfast partner in your wealth creation journey, committed to empowering a diverse community of members. We offer investment opportunities to our members that are validated by an expert investment committee ensuring the best, verified opportunities are available to our members.”

Leaders for India Organization solidifies its position as a thought leader through strategic collaborations with institutions like T-Hub, IIIT-Hyderabad, ISB Hyderabad, and the Indian Startup Festival, influencing and shaping the entrepreneurial landscape.
Displaying COVER STORY (32).jpg.

Cover Story Unveils “Nomad Land” Collection: A Journey of Style and Adventure

Cover Story

Cover Story, the renowned fashion brand known for its unique blend of contemporary designs and timeless elegance, is thrilled to announce the release of their highly anticipated collection, “Nomad Land.” This collection honors the dynamic way of life of the modern lady by fusing a nomadic attitude with modern needs.

The newest “Nomad Land” collection from Cover Story is proof of the brand’s constant commitment to reinventing women’s fashion. Each article of attire is a work of art that has been thoroughly created to exude confidence and make an everlasting impression on the world of haute couture. It captures the spirit of a woman’s journey, striking a beautiful balance between her roots and her wings. It pays homage to individuals who value unrestricted style. This collection is poised to be a game-changer in contemporary fashion, reaffirming Cover Story’s status as a pioneer in the industry.

With a fusion of contemporary designs and functional elegance, the Nomad Land collection encapsulates a lifestyle of versatility and freedom. The collection draws inspiration from global cultures, reflecting a rich tapestry of influences in each piece.

The collection “Nomad Land” will be available at Cover Story stores and online coverstory.co.in

Price – On Request

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India celebrates 9th Anniversary of its Traffic Training Park in New Delhi

New Delhi, 25th November 2023: Instilling positive awareness on road safety and safe driving habits in the city, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India celebrated 9th anniversary of the Traffic Training Park at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi in the august presence of Mr. Shashank Jaiswal – IPS (Deputy Commissioner of Police, Road Safety Cell, Delhi Traffic Police).

In November 2014, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) in association with Delhi Traffic Police inaugurated a second traffic training park in New Delhi. Based on the mini-city concept, the traffic park simulates real road conditions like traffic signals, zebra crossings and speed breakers etc.

Driving road safety awareness in the city, HMSI announced that through its daily trainings for all age groups, it has educated nearly 2 lac people of New Delhi (more than 1.3 Lac kids and over 52,000 new and existing riders including both male and females) since its inception.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s CSR Commitment towards Road Safety:

For Honda globally, road safety comes first. As announced in April 2021, “Honda will strive for zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles globally by 2050”. Fulfilling its corporate social responsibility (CSR), HMSI has been promoting road safety in India since its start in 2001. Working towards the realization of Honda’s global safety vision, today HMSI’s road safety awareness initiative has already spread to over 57 lac Indians. Its team of skilled safety instructors conducts daily programs at its 10 adopted traffic parks across India and 6 Safety Driving Education Centres (SDEC).

Not only this, all 1000+ dealerships of HMSI across India spread road safety awareness. HMSI’s proprietary virtual riding simulator increases the risk-prediction ability of riders; while new customers are given predelivery safety advice (PDSA) before they start riding at every dealership across India.

Evolvence India backs leading SaaS technology company VideoVerse

Mumbai, 25th November 2023:VideoVerse, a leading AI-driven video technology company, is pleased to announce its partnership with Evolvence India, a pivotal step towards bolstering the company’s market presence. Alongside acquiring a secondary stake in VideoVerse, Evolvence will work closely with the company’s executive team in fulfilling their shared vision of continued innovation and expansion in the EMEA and APAC markets.

Evolvence India has cultivated a reputation as a regional trailblazer in the investment community since its establishment in 2005. By employing a strategy of making both primary and secondary investments in pioneering companies, the group focuses on identifying and capitalizing on innovative and promising opportunities in emerging markets. “VideoVerse has revolutionised video editing through their proprietary AI-led video tech platform and proven use-cases across industries including sports, media and entertainment. They have demonstrated a strong product-market fit and we are delighted to partner with the team as they scale internationally,” said Rohit Batra, Managing Partner at Evolvence India. The global video streaming market valued at USD 89.03 billion is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.5% through 2030, with AI playing an essential role in editing, voice-overs, scriptwriting, and several other aspects of video production and upload. This partnership signifies a collective commitment to driving innovation, leveraging market insights, and setting new industry Benchmarks. Vinayak Shrivastav, CEO of VideoVerse, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, “Evolvence India’s reputation in providing value to their portfolio companies, above and beyond their capital, aligns seamlessly with our growth ambitions. We’re excited to be partnering with them, especially as we expand our footprint in rapidly evolving markets.”

In an era where AI is redefining how content is created and shared, emerging sports and media markets offer substantial opportunities for innovation, and diverse cultures with growing sports and digital demand. VideoVerse and Evolvence India’s partnership aims to harness this potential, using AI to develop new content approaches and meet the evolving demands of Audiences. “Video technology is still at a nascent stage in its evolution. VideoVerse has championed the use of cloud in video editing and has developed market-leading tech solutions to deliver tangible value-add to its customers, in both efficiency gains and improved consumer engagement. The team has demonstrated impressive execution and we look forward to partnering with the company in their journey ahead,” said Deependra Singh Dhamu, Principal at Evolvence India.

Amazon miniTV creates history with the unprecedented poster launch of Slum Golf in Mumbai’s slums in Chembur bringing out the true essence of the series

Amazon miniTV

Mumbai,25th November 2023:– Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service much-awaited sports drama series, Slum Golf, is creating a rampant buzz among the viewers by revealing a 35000 Sq. ft poster right in the heart of Chembur where the ‘Slum Golf’ phenomenon began that has been spoken in the international circuit as well. Inspired from true stories, Slum Golf features Sharad Kelkar, Mayur More, and Arjan Aujla in pivotal roles.

With this one-of-a-kind poster reveal, a large part of the slum was taken over to mark the launch of this riveting drama about dreaming big in life and the passion to achieve those dreams. This endeavor is the first of its kind by an OTT platform, Amazon miniTV created history with this singular largest branding done in the slums till now. Slum Golf has been building eagerness amongst the audience and striking the hearts of viewers with an innovative approach. The series follows the journey of a young passionate boy Pawan who aspires to be a pro-golfer while he comes from the slums nearby without the means to achieve his dreams, the series is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV for free.

Created by Temple Bells Films and directed by Sujay Dahake, Slum Golf is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV. You can download the Amazon miniTV on Playstore or watch it within the Amazon Shopping App or Fire TV.

Global Dental Services, parent of Clove Dental, secures USD 50MM investment from Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)

Global Dental Services

Delhi, 25 November 2023 – Global Dental Services, parent of Clove Dental, India’s largest tech-enabled-dental-platform, is delighted to announce a strategic equity investment of USD 50 MM from Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar.

Combined with USD 66 MM raised in December 2022, in a round led by Investcorp, this investment underscores the group’s historical performance and confidence in the significant growth potential. The total investment of USD 116 MM (INR 963 Crore) will be used to rapidly grow the Clove Dental clinical network, expand world-class smile-enhancing solutions, and develop a therapeutic oral care product range.

Founded in 2011, by Amarinder Singh, the group, as on date, operates 422 company-owned & managed dental clinics under the “Clove Dental” banner, spread across 24 cities in 12 states.

This investment in Clove Dental comes as QIA looks to further diversify its portfolio in India’s fast-growing economy and comes on the back of recent investments in India within the technology, media and telecoms sector, retail sector, and in green energy investments.

Sheikh Faisal Thani Al-Thani, Chief Investment Officer, Africa & APAC at QIA added, “QIA is committed to supporting innovative companies with high-growth potential and sees great potential in India’s fast-growing healthcare and retail markets. We have been impressed by Clove’s rapid expansion across India, commitment to quality, and innovative approach to dental care and look forward to welcoming them to our diverse global healthcare portfolio.”

Louis Shakinovsky, Chairman of Global Dental, stated, “From inception, we have been, and are, very selective in whom we bring on as partners and shareholders. QIA is an outstanding example of a shareholder who is aligned with the long-term vision of the group. At Global Dental we have made significant investments in people, technology, equipment, and infrastructure.”

Amarinder Singh, Founder & CEO of Global Dental said, “This investment from QIA will enable our group to pursue its ambitious growth plans in both existing and new tier I & II cities across India, ensuring that more Indians have access to reliable, high-quality, & affordable dental care”.

Clove clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment and managed by a team of over 1,010 highly qualified dentists. 78% of Clove Dentists are women and 61% of Dentists hold advanced Master’s (MDS) degrees in Dentistry. Clove has extensive standard operating procedures (SOPs), standardized pricing, non-commission-based compensation systems, in-clinic audits, peer-to-peer case (treatment) reviews and AI-based chair sterilization systems that collectively, have set new benchmarks in dentistry in India and globally.

Innovation Takes Center Stage: TiE Women Global Pitch 2023 Crowns Trestle Labs as Champion

 TiE Women Global Pitch

Bengaluru, 25th Nov 2023:AkshitaSachdeva, the co-founder and chief of Trestle Labs, a social impact venture that leverages AI to overcome language, literacy, and print-disability hurdles, impressed the judges with her vision, innovation, and secured equity-free cash prizes of $25,000 at the recently held TiE Global Pitch Competition for Women at TiE Global Summit 2023, Singapore. TiE Bangalore, a hub of India’s entrepreneurial dynamism, celebrates the remarkable success of its members. The prestigious ceremony unfolded during the TiE Global Summit 2023 in Singapore. Sachdeva triumphed among 1,653 applicants spanning 62 countries, excelling through the Semi-Finals where representatives from 39 TiE Chapters pitched on November 16. Subsequently, she secured her place among the six finalists who presented their ventures at the Finale on November 17.

Trestle Labs’ flagship product, Kibo (Knowledge in a Box), is a patented technology that can speak out any printed, handwritten, or digital text in 60 languages, with a special emphasis on underserved Asian, African, and Indian languages. Kibo, which provides a mobile app, a web app, and two hardware kits, has enabled over 100,000 individuals and 600 institutions to access education and employment opportunities without any obstacle. Trestle Labs has also established partnerships with 10 distributors to extend its presence in 30 countries.

Sachdeva expressed her gratitude to TiE Bangalore and its president, Mr. Madan Padaki, for their guidance and support throughout her journey. She said that the TiE Women Global Pitch Competition 2023 was a great platform to showcase her innovation and gain global recognition. She also said that the win has opened new horizons for growth and impact for Trestle Labs and Kibo. Akshita Sachdeva shared her experience after winning the Competition, saying – “It’s a privilege to win TiE Women Global Pitch Competition 2023. It’s not just about the win, but what went behind and what lies ahead. TiE Women Global Pitch Competition 2023 indeed has been a game-changer for Trestle Labs with amazing mentorship from TiE Bangalore and the global network of TiE members that Tie Women Global Pitch 2023 win has opened up

TiE Bangalore, which has been nurturing and celebrating entrepreneurs since 1999, applauded Sachdeva and Trestle Labs for their remarkable achievements.

Madan Padaki, President TiE Bangalore added “ This is the first time that one of our women entrepreneurs has won the top spot at the TiE Women’s global pitch – this is a testament to the terrific innovation and strong ecosystem support in our city – her success will certainly inspire a lot of other women entrepreneurs on their journeys”.

Madan also highlighted the stellar role of TiE Bangalore in leading a strong Karnataka Delegation to the TiE Global Summit and Singapore Fintech Festival 2023, in collaboration with KDEM and the Karnataka government. The Karnataka Delegation had over 100+ Charter Members and investors from across Karnataka, including 10 startups who showcased their ventures at #TheKarnatakaWay Start-up Pavilion. The event facilitated meaningful interactions, partnerships, and discussions among TiE members, government officials, investors, industry leaders, and various entities of the Govt. of Singapore including the Economic Development Board, etc..

MSME Minister Shri Narayan Rane launches IndiaXports 2.0 to facilitate 200K first-time exporters through e-commerce

New Delhi, 25th November 2023: India SME Forum (ISF), India’s largest non-governmental, not-for-profit organization for small and medium businesses, hosted a National Summit to launch IndiaXports 2.0, India’s first mass export development program, aimed to empower 200,000 first-time exporters to enter international markets by fostering export readiness and capacity building.

MSME

Supporting the launch of the initiative, Shri Narayan Rane, Hon’ble Union, Minister of MSME, Government of India, said, “I extend my heartiest congratulations to India SME Forum for their commendable efforts in fostering the growth of MSMEs. The launch of IndiaXports 2.0 is a significant step towards empowering first-time exporters, aligning perfectly with the government’s vision for industrial expansion and promoting global trade. E-commerce exports play a pivotal role in enhancing customer base and increasing the scale of small businesses in India, and initiatives like these are crucial in enhancing their capabilities and contribution to India’s economic development.” The pilot project for the initiative was also supported by the minister in 2021 which witnessed participation from over 8 lakh entrepreneurs, 20,000 subscribers, 42,000+ help desk queries, and mentoring for 1190 MSMEs to overcome export challenges.

Mr. Ateesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME said, “The Udyam portal has witnessed an impressive MSME registration of approximately 2-2.5 crore, increasing daily by thousands. However, when we look at the number of MSMEs actively engaged in exports, it stands at around 1.93 lakh, revealing the unrealised potential in MSME exports. Recognizing a knowledge gap in conducting business via e-commerce platforms, the government has initiated outreach and awareness programs to address this challenge, paving the way for greater MSME involvement in global trade.”

Mr. Santosh Sarangi, IAS, Director General of Foreign Trade, said, “To achieve our ambitious $2 trillion export target, a concerted effort is required in both goods and services. The positive correlation between export growth and increased per capita GDP is evident in successful export-driven economies like Korea, Germany, and Vietnam, where a significant portion of their GDP stems from exports. India, with an export share of around 21-22% of GDP, aspires to reach 30%, necessitating proactive interventions in both the public and private sectors. Central to this endeavor is the pivotal role that MSMEs must play in enhancing manufacturing competitiveness, coupled with an unwavering commitment to uncompromising quality and standards. These factors collectively position MSMEs as key catalysts in propelling India toward becoming a major player in global exports.”

 Mr. Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President, Public Policy, Amazon, said, “E-commerce exports is fast emerging as a shining symbol of global integration, simplifying the complexities of international commerce for countless businesses, regardless of their scale or geographic presence. This digital transformation is democratizing the narrative of cross-border commerce. The once daunting area of international trade is now a level playing field where MSMEs are venturing beyond domestic shores, showcasing the richness and diversity of Indian products to customers globally. At Amazon, we continue to focus on the three pillars of growth – improving selection, bringing vale and building a fast and reliable delivery experience. Interestingly, the number of sellers on Amazon.in has more than doubled since Jan 2020. That points to the entrepreneurial spirit of Indian small businesses. On our Exports program, we have sellers from 200+ cities across the country. Last year, it was reported that 555 districts in India had at least one new start-up.”

 Mr. Vinod Kumar, President, India SME Forum, said, “In our pursuit to elevate India’s export capabilities, the launch of ‘IndiaXports 2.0’ marks a transformative milestone in empowering MSMEs. This no-cost initiative reaffirms our dedication to nurturing export capabilities and enhancing entrepreneurial capacities. We are resolute in our mission to propel MSMEs onto the global stage, creating a landscape of opportunities and driving economic prosperity through strategic initiatives and collective efforts.” He further added that, “The lack of exposure to global markets inhibits entrepreneurs from exploring international opportunities. ‘IndiaXports 2.0’ aims to change this paradigm, encouraging MSMEs to broaden their horizons and participate in the global marketplace.”

The event witnessed participation from esteemed guests such as Mr. Alok Chaturvedi, Former IAS, Former Director General of Foreign Trade, Mr. Mohammad Moin Afaque, Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade, Dr. Radhicka Kapoor, Professor, ICRIER, Mr. Bipin Sapra, Partner, E&Y, Ms. Nikita Singla, Consultant & Trade Facilitation, World Bank, Mr. Ashish Chandra, Co-Founder, GlobalFair, Mr. Rahul Ahluwalia, Founding Director, Foundation for Economic Development, Ms. Deepali Agrawal, Chief General Manager, Exim Bank, Mr. Ajay Srivastava, Former Addl. DGFT, Mr. Dinkar Singh, Director, Public Affairs- Indian Subcontinent, UPS, and Dr. Amit Kapoor, Chairman, Institute for Competitiveness.

The discussions at the event also addressed challenges like regulatory compliance and competition while proposing strategies for economic growth and underscored the pivotal role of regulatory changes in fostering exponential export growth, emphasizing innovation, quality standards, certifications, and the role of soft power in promoting e-commerce exports.

Revvity Joins India’s Fight Against Tuberculosis (TB) by Launching its T-SPOT.TB for Latent TB Screening in the Country

Revvity

India – 25th November 2023 – Revvity, a global company that leverages innovation in Diagnostics and Life Sciences, with a strong presence in India, today announced the country launch of its T-SPOT®.TB test for latent TB screening, at MICROCON in Lucknow.

Revvity’s T-SPOT®.TB is the only FDA-approved, commercially available IGRA (interferon-gamma release assay) based on the ELISPOT technology. This technology includes the isolation, washing and counting of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from whole blood to standardize the test and provide reproducible results for reliable detection — even in challenging-to-screen groups, such as the immunosuppressed[i].

Shripad Joshi, President, India & South Asia at Revvity said: “With approximately 40% of the Indian population being infected with latent TB, detecting the infection before it progresses to active disease, which is symptomatic and infectious, is paramount. We recognize the critical role that collaboration between the public and private sectors plays in the Government’s mission of eradicating TB by 2025. As a result, we are committed to working closely with the Indian healthcare sector to integrate our reliable, single visit T-SPOT®.TB test into the country’s existing healthcare infrastructure, increasing accessibility and affordability of latent TB screening.

“We have 20 years’ experience in TB screening and have been collaborating with several healthcare systems around the world. We are now thrilled to be able to start equipping healthcare professionals in India with advanced screening tools that can support the Government’s mission effectively, decreasing costs associated with treating active or drug-resistant TB, and more importantly, saving lives.”

Revvity T-SPOT®.TB test

Based on the ELISPOT technology, the T-SPOT®.TB test is the only WHO recommended IGRA that uses a standardized sample, reducing the influence of factors in the blood which may affect performance and normalizing for cell number variation. The WHO diagnostic guidelines acknowledge the benefits of the normalization step prior to cell stimulation required in the T-SPOT®.TB test.[i] Normalizing the T-cell count before cell stimulation can help obtain accurate results in populations with weakened immune systems.[i] In addition, the T-SPOT®.TB test does not cross-react with the BCG vaccine[i], which is commonly used in India.

The T-SPOT®.TB test is one of the three IGRAs that are recommended by WHO as alternatives to the tuberculin skin test (TST) or the Mantoux test for the detection of TB infection. The T-SPOT®.TB test is available in over 50 countries including in Europe, China, Japan, and the US, and is in the list of in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) recommended by WHO for use in countries to improve access to IVD testing and advance universal health coverage.[i]

Automation of the T-SPOT®.TB test is possible using the T-Cell Select TM reagent kit, and automated platforms are available for low, medium, and high throughput settings. The use of the T-Cell SelectTM reagent kit in the automated workflow allows for the blood samples to be transported and stored at ambient temperature for up to 54 hours prior to processing, improving sample collection logistics.

Launch of T-SPOT®.TB at MICROCON 2023

Revvity is launching its ELISPOT-based IGRA T-SPOT®.TB at the 46th Edition of MICROCON held at King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Celebrating excellence in Clinical Microbiology, MICROCON congregates renowned international and national experts and attendees who are set to discuss and gain valuable insight into cutting-edge developments in the fields of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Amita Jain and Dr. Surya Kant will act as the honorable chief guests during the launch event of Revvity T-SPOT®.TB at the Congress.

Dr. Surya Kant, Professor and Head of Department of Respiratory Medicine at King George’s Medical University, and Chairman, North Zone Task Force of National TB Elimination Program, commented: “Our country has made notable progress in both active and latent TB testing, fostering optimism around the attainment of the Government’s goal of eradicating TB by 2030. It’s important to highlight that despite the existence of a few solutions for latent tuberculosis screening, Government organizations are actively involved in advancing innovative and effective screening tools other than the traditional TST. Early detection through widespread testing, coupled with appropriate medical intervention, can prevent the progression of latent TB into its active and more contagious form.”

Dr. Amita Jain, Professor and Head of Department of Microbiology at King George’s Medical University, and Organizing Chairperson at MICROCON, added: “The very high percentage of the Indian population infected with latent TB emphasizes the growing national importance of screening to prevent community transmission and achieve India’s TB eradication mission. High-risk groups, including immunocompromised individuals, expectant mothers, and pediatric patients are significantly impacted. We celebrate the launch of tests that promise reliable latent TB detection, even in groups that are difficult to screen due to their weakened immune systems.”

Revvity is introducing the T-SPOT®.TB test during the 46th edition of MICROCON in Lucknow, at stand number 13.