The Mysterious Affair of Feluda

Whatever happened to the game-changing domestically developed Covid Test Kit?

Posted on Jul 13, 2021 | Author Dr. RAJAN KATOCH

First appearing in 1965, Satyajit Ray’s iconic fictional detective Feluda is perhaps the most popular of his ilk in Bengali literature. Feluda solves cases in the style of Sherlock Holmes, relying mostly upon his analytical ability and observation skills to detect criminals and solve cases.

More than half a century later in 2020, a research team at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi indigenously developed a new covid detection kit.This test kit is said to be based on the cutting-edge CRISPR-Cas9 technology, the discovery of which earned Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020.

Inspired by the Ray character, the test kit was appropriately enough named FELUDA (acronym for the technical name FNCas9 Editor Limited Uniform Detection Assay). Ray’s Feluda too was originally christened Prodosh Chandra Mitter but is mostly known by his nickname Feluda. Much like Ray’s Feluda detects criminals, the COVID-19 test here too detects the covid virus.

What is so special about Feluda? We already have a highly reliable and accurate for detection of covid, the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In fact, RT-PCR is regarded as the gold standard for testing. However, RT-PCR tests require advanced testing infrastructure and takeup to 24 hours to deliver the results. A faster alternative being used in the field is the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) which gives quick results but is less reliable in detecting positive outcomes.

This is where Feluda comes in. The Feluda test claims to generate quicker results, without compromising accuracy. In trials, Feluda is said to have displayed 96% sensitivity (the ability of a test to correctly identify patients with a disease) and 98% specificity (the ability of a test to correctly identify people without the disease).This is comparable to the RT-PCR test 95% sensitivity and 99% specificity, and much better than the Rapid Antigen Tests, wherein sensitivity is sometimes as low as 50%.

Importantly, the results are available in one hour, with a visual readout on a paper strip, a bit like a pregnancy test. Further, the instrumentation required is simpler, enabling testing at more field locations with less technical expertise. It was expected to be cheaper too, available at around Rs. 500.

The then Union Health Minister had announced the release and outlined these details in his Sunday Samwaad media interaction in October 2020. He had then also saidthat the test was expected to be rolled out in the next few weeks.

From what we know of Feluda, it seems to be the need of these difficult times. Such a test with high accuracy and short turnaround time to get results would be critical to Government’s efforts to getting a grip on the possible next wave of covid. It is potentially a gamechanger in COVID-19 testing.

However, it is now nearly a year since its launch. One would have expected that such a test would have quickly become the mainstay of the testing regime. The second wave of covid has swept over the country. But far from a widespread rollout as announced, there has been no indication of the Feluda test being deployed and showing its mettle like the fictional detective. What has happened?

There are no known procedural issues. The test had the blessings of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and was approved last year by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for commercial launch. The rollout was entrusted to the Tata group company Tata Medical & Diagnostics (TataMD), which had worked with CSIR on the development. In turn, TataMD branded the test “TataMD Check”. The company website proudly proclaims TataMD Check as a flagship product, and states that a production capacity of 10 lakh tests a month has been set up in Chennai.

10 lakh test kits a month? Even if operational, 10 lakh a month seems a drop in the ocean when around 20 lakhs covid tests are being conducted everyday, according to recent ICMR data. And it is not even clear whether these kits are being deployed. No wonder Feluda hasn’t been seen.

One wonders then, why is it not possible to ramp up the production of Feluda/Check, when it has the potential to make a huge impact in the battle against the pandemic? Even if it requires upfront financial support from public funds? Or bringing in more manufacturers?

There are more questions. Delhi High Court too in May 2021 had enquired from Government about why the test was not being widely used. In its statement, ICMR told the Delhi High Court that Feluda has not gained popularity like RT-PCR as its kit was more expensive — costing about Rs 300, while that of RTPCR was Rs 100.

But then, surely the small difference in initial cost alone cannot be a rationale for not adopting a kit that has so many reported advantages? Recall that at the beginning of the pandemic, getting an RT-PCR test done cost upto Rs. 4,500. Being the only testing solution then, Government proactively encouraged expansion of production. With widespread domestic production and high volumes, the cost to the consumer has come down drastically to below Rs. 1,000. If produced at high volumes, the cost to the consumer of Feluda would not be very different.

Rapid, accurate testing is the way forward. Efforts are being made and many initiatives are reportedly in the offing — e.g. a rapid test developed in Israel, a new test by the National Institute of Virology etc. The difference is that the Feluda test is a bird in hand that meets the need, with technology approved and production capabilities set up. Quicker ramping up of production should be simpler.

We are living in the pandemic era, and we need to get out of it as soon as feasible.To tackle the pandemic more effectively, all agencies need to put their best foot forward deploying the best means that science has made available. Whether a person is diagnosed correctly and quickly may well be the key to controlling the number of infections and loss of life in the future. It may also be the key to a near normal existence when the pandemic subsides.

Unlike Ray’s Feluda, who has all the answers, this Feluda raises more questions than answers. The new team in the Union Health Ministry will need to take a call on these questions. Let us hope, for the sake of all of us, that the solutions are found soon, in the best interests of the people.

(Author is a Former Civil Servant and a Regular Contributor to RK)