Carry-O-gram (A mobile karyotyping device)

Chromosomal abnormality is the locus of our problem. In India, around 1.3 million births in the past year were reported to have congenital birth defects related to chromosomal aberration out of the total 23 million infants born. Though there are many reasons for chromosomal abnormalities to arise, some of them are: Advanced maternal age, maternal alcohol, carrier history, heredity, exposure to harmful chemicals and ionizing radiations etc. With these wide range of causes, the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in Indian population estimates to about 19.6%.

We are designing a low cost, automated, standalone, portable karyotyping device that detects the presence of abnormal chromosomes faster than the manual method. The method used for the detection of chromosomal abnormality is conventional but the entire process is being automated and is enclosed as a device. This enables the user to analyze many samples in a shorter duration of time and at remote locations a well.

Our solution will play a pivotal role in high efficiency chromosomal screening for the pregnant mothers, couples who are planning to conceive, people who are opting for Artificial reproductive techniques (ART). We can check family members for chromosomal abnormalities. Apart from that our product can help a large amount of population working in areas involving ionizing radiations (mining, nuclear power plant, etc.). It can serve as one of the bio dosimetry screenings for these patients and limit their exposure in such toxic environments along with adequate care and providing them with occupational health management.

The company is established in IIT Madras, an Institute of eminence in India which gives access to cutting edge, state of the art equipment and facilities.

Last but not the least, we have highly passion-driven team expertise in the following fields- Cell biologist (MSc in Regenerative biology), molecular biologist (IIT-Madras professor), automation engineer and microfluidics (CEO & founder), Mechanical engineer and product designer and also Machine learning person.

Our device Carry-O-gram, is a novel standalone, portable device that is being designed to perform the chromosomal karyotyping. Though there is lot of intricate procedure and capital investment that comes into play, with the resources that we have available right now, we have been developing an incubation cabinet that provides ideal culture conditions for the patient's sample in order to obtain the chromosomes for the karyotype. This incubation system is unlike the other existing models as it is designed specially for our device to perform certain added functions that a regular system does not perform.

We find the problem that is being addressed is being undermined. But it does pose a serious impact in future generations arising. This have paved path for us to contribute our expertise in solving the issue. 

TL has been in the field of developing personalized medicine/ care for the past 3 years. He has previously developed unique technologies that has created benchmarks in the field of personalized medicine.

Our solution provides a fully automated and a portable form of the karyotyping device. Hence screening and device maintenance involves less labor. Easy portability of the device makes it easier to carry the device around to different places and makes it accessible for the rural population who are generally quite unaware of such issues. Villages, towns that lack the facility for pre-natal screenings can be benefitted from this. People living in remote regions do not have to move to cities or hospitals demanding expensive diagnosis procedures. Instead, our platform can do the said karyotyping screening and provide the results which is then given to a genetic counsellor. They explain the results to the patient and present them with the possible options.

by Next year we are planning to do at least 1 MVP ready and few clinical trial data. For the next 5 years, we are aiming to expand the company in India and North America to address 10% of the global market.

Our goals are measure by how well we are able to reach the product and the service to the rural populations and number of people who benefit out of it.

Chromosomal abnormality is quite prevalent around the globe. Even though not all of them with an abnormality exhibit a visible physical or psychological alteration, variations in certain regions of chromosomes can show its true attribute after a long time of quiescence. individuals undergoing continuous miscarriages, having still births, pregnant women, neonates and prenates can be screened for chromosomal defects. Our model is being designed in such a way that it can be portable and accessed anywhere. Locations that do not have access to proper healthcare facilities can also be given a ray of hope for diagnosing chromosomal defects.

Advanced karyogram on a chip technology.

The team is multidisciplinary comprising an expert from optics, a programmer, 2 mechanical engineers who are also designers. Apart from that we have a data sciences graduate who will foresee the machine learning part of the project. And finally, biomedical sciences personnel who regulates the Device protocols and runs in-vitro trials with the device during the development.

We have been working on the idea of developing this device for 3 months. We began by analyzing the conventional procedure and its lack of access due to poor awareness and carefully planned the device to execute the entire process exactly the same but in a more rapid, synchronized, and completely automated manner.

Our device is to be used effectively used by every person who are deprived of access to prenatal chromosome screening facilities. Irrespective of cast, race and nationality anybody can benefit out of it.

We are focused on developing a portable standalone device that can perform chromosome analysis and determine any abnormalities especially in places that are deprived of medical facility.

We are trying to reach out to different funding agencies and are also looking for Venture capitalists and investors to develop a fully functional product.

After my graduation, with my savings I registered ISMO Bio Photonics and incubated it at IITM. Followed by this, we have got various supports from central and state government grants like startup India, Department of Biotechnology- BIRAC. Also, we offer service in the area of microfluidics and microscopy through which we generate revenue. In future we are looking for investments for MVP development and clinical trials.