IIT-G Alumni Led Startup Develops POCT Device '˜Mobilab' for Early NCD Diagnosis 

Mobilab uses an IoT-enabled Android app and can conduct around 150 tests on a single battery charge. This feature fosters a digitally connected ecosystem, extending its reach to remote regions and catering to the healthcare needs of underserved populations. 

Primary Healthtech, a startup led by Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) alumni, has unveiled Mobilab, an indigenous point-of-care-testing (POCT) device.  

Mobilab aims to transform diagnostic healthcare by testing 25 blood parameters for early diagnosis of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) related to kidney, liver, heart, and pancreas malfunctions. 

This technology is incubated at the Research Park and the Centre for Nanotechnology on IIT Guwahati's campus. 

As per the startup,  Mobilab has received substantial research and development support from the SWASTHA Centre for Excellence of MeitY, ICMR-DHR Centre of Excellence, and BIRAC-DBT for translational and regulatory guidance. 

Mobilab operates through an IoT-enabled Android app and boasts the capability of performing approximately 150 tests with a single battery charge. This feature facilitates a digitally connected ecosystem, making the device accessible even in the remotest areas of the country, thereby addressing the healthcare needs of underserved populations. 

Currently, 11 parameters have been validated in NABL accredited and government labs. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted a licence for the manufacturing of Mobilab, which encompasses testing for a range of vital health indicators.  

These parameters include Heart Profile (Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides), Liver Profile (Total Bilirubin, Albumin, and Total Protein), Kidney Profile (Creatinine, Glucose, and Uric Acid), Hematology (Haemoglobin), and Diabetes (Glucose). 

The startup claims that Mobilab delivers real-time data in just 10 minutes, followed by a digital report accompanied by an electronic health record of the patient. This comprehensive information can be easily shared with healthcare providers, streamlining the diagnostic process and improving patient care. 

The device's reliability and efficacy have been validated at various prestigious hospitals, including Guwahati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH), Guwahati Neurological Research Centre (GNRC), Nemcare, Army Hospital, and AIIMS New Delhi. Furthermore, Mobilab has been deployed in various regions across Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, and Arunachal Pradesh. 

Mobilab's innovative approach to early NCD diagnosis promises to significantly impact public health by facilitating faster and more accessible healthcare services, especially in underserved regions.  

IIT Guwahati has been at the forefront of several other health tech innovations. 

Recently, IIT-G developed a new AI model that can predict the severity of knee osteoarthritis by analysing X-ray images. Utilising machine learning algorithms, the AI model crafted by the IIT-G researchers assesses numerous X-ray images, effectively gauging and predicting the extent of knee osteoarthritis with high precision.  

Similarly, IIT Guwahati researchers led by Dr Partho Sarathi Gooh Pattader also developed a POCT prototype for detecting specific bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs). This innovative device offers rapid and accurate results, addressing a critical need in medical diagnostics.  

This project was supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), all under the Government of India.