Tata Trusts' IHF funds biotech cos Ameliorate, Medprice to detect mosquito-borne diseases

India Health Fund (IHF), a Tata Trusts initiative, has funded two platforms that help diagnose multiple diseases spread by mosquitoes. The platform from Bengaluru-based Ameliorate Biotech involves an accurate, multiplexed RDT for dengue, chikungunya and malaria (with malaria falciparum and vivax differentiation), the simple 15-min test uses a single test kit and a single blood sample and can be easily used by minimally trained workforce at primary level. Thane-headquartered Medprime Technologies has developed an artificial intelligence-powered software for faster and cost-effective detection and differentiation between malarial parasites.