The event saw participation from senior leaders including Parvinder Maini, Nivedita Gupta, and Harish Iyer, along with experts from ICMR, CDSCO, PATH, and global partners such as the Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and FIND.

Marking three years of the National Diagnostics Catapult (NDxC), the conclave launched the Impact Report and unveiled environmental surveillance kits for real-time detection of SARS-CoV-2, RSV, influenza viruses, and antimicrobial resistance in wastewater. The InDx Guidance Manual outlining India’s regulatory pathway for IVD devices was also released.

Panel discussions focused on affordable diagnostics, enabling manufacturers, and strengthening pandemic preparedness.

Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of Indiasaid, “The C-CAMP InDx initiative was conceptualised with support from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, reflecting a national vision for diagnostics self-reliance. This programme has brought together diagnostic manufacturers and India’s leading research centres of excellence onto a single platform, enabling the identification and bridging of key regulatory and R&D gaps."

Dr Nivedita Gupta, Scientist G and Head of the Communicable Diseases Division, ICMR noted, “We need to build a well-characterised biorepository to support manufacturers and developers in creating robust diagnostic kits. Establishing reliable reference standards is equally critical, and it gives stakeholders across the ecosystem a chance to come together and move forward."

Dr Harish Iyer, Health R&D, Digital Innovations and AI, Gates Foundation, emphasised the role of diagnostics in public health and said the Foundation’s collaboration with C-CAMP is key to catalysing innovation and expanding access, adding that indigenous diagnostics could replicate the success of India’s vaccination efforts.

Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), noted, “Good science should not remain confined to laboratories; it must percolate into society and address real problems to create a meaningful impact. C-CAMP has been acting as a catalyst for this change by fostering innovation. This can serve local needs and also contribute to the world through high-quality products and solutions. There is a strong opportunity for India to position itself as a global leader in diagnostics and surveillance.”

Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Dir. & CEO, C-CAMP added, “In February 2023, we launched the C-CAMP InDx National Diagnostics Catapult in collaboration with Rockefeller Foundation, Gates Foundation and FIND under the guidance of the OPSA with an aim to establish India’s much-needed capacity for diagnostics and disease surveillance capabilities in the infectious disease domain, beyond COVID. The C-CAMP InDx Catapult programme has now evolved into a comprehensive platform designed to support preparedness and innovation across every stage of the IVD development lifecycle."

The conclave reinforced NDxC’s role in advancing diagnostics innovation, strengthening public health systems, and positioning India as a global hub for affordable, high-quality diagnostic solutions.