India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 05 May 2023
Bangalore Gastro Centre (BGC), which provides specialised care for various digestive illnesses, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 3BIGS of South Korea, a worldwide healthcare leader in handling Biodata and artificial intelligence technology, to change the diagnostic experience in India. The alliance seeks to deliver end-to-end customised diagnostic services, from sample collection to selecting a nutritionist/doctor to provide appropriate medical care.
According to BGC, it is the first hospital in India to provide this service. This agreement will allow doctors from Bangalore Gastro Centre access to the gut microbiome test kit, which will help provide reliable results. This equipment will soon be available to patients and a wider audience. The collaboration also intends to be future-ready by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), genome sequencing, data mining, and the development of diverse technologies and products for rapid outcomes.
In India, precise results for digestive problems are now hampered by a lack of accessibility, limited research laboratories, expensive testing kits, and time-consuming methodologies. This new gut microbiome test kit will put Indians closer to a unique and forward-thinking healthcare solution. "It's a great honour for us to collaborate with 3BIGS, who are pioneers in data mining and experts in AI and bioinformatics," says Dr Yogananda Reddy, director and chief gastroenterologist of Bangalore Gastro Centre. For the first time, a South Korean company is cooperating with an Indian hospital to develop a gut microbe tech testing kit for the general public's benefit.
This product will be available and inexpensive to anyone, and it will aid in the prevention and improvement of gut health. Dr Junhyung Park, founder and CEO, 3BIGS, said “There is an increase in cases of chronic digestive issues found among the younger population globally. And with an increase in cases, it is essential to get a quick and accurate diagnosis to avoid end-stage diseases.” The patient can order the gut microbiome testing kit sitting at home. The collected samples will be QR-coded and sent to research laboratories, where the testing will take place. The patient can track the entire process seamlessly and receive real-time updates and test reports on exclusive Android/iOS application on their phones. Based on the results, the patient will be connected to the doctor and nutritionist with the generated report to get a personalised treatment or diet plan tailored to rejuvenate or bring about the lost balance in the gut microbiome composition to correct the root cause of the health issue. Human bodies are home to trillions of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which coexist with us peacefully.
However, poor lifestyle and dietary habits, mental stress, ageing, and antibiotics can cause imbalances in the gut microbial composition. This imbalance, called dysbiosis, causes chronic digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, gut infections, liver disease, food intolerances, and colorectal cancer. The prevalence of digestive disorders, both physiological and pathological, is increasing in India, even in younger people. These rising numbers call for early screening for digestive disorders and effective treatment. The gut microbial composition will be fully capable of predicting the health conditions of a person who might suffer in the future, which can prevent premature fatality.
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