**Executive Summary**
The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has provided financial support to BabyCue Private Limited for the development and commercialization of a rapid diagnostic platform for childhood diarrhea. The DiaCue Diagnostic Kit, based on Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) technology, aims to provide timely and accurate differentiation between bacterial and non-bacterial diarrhea, with a focus on deployment in resource-constrained environments. The support will enable accelerated product development and wider deployment of the diagnostic solution.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Support:**
* The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has extended financial support to M/s BabyCue Private Limited, Cuttack (Odisha).
* The project is titled "A Disposable Paper Analytical Platform for Rapid Differentiation of Childhood Diarrhea."
* **Product Description (DiaCue Diagnostic Kit):**
* The kit is designed for the commercialization of an indigenous rapid diagnostic kit for childhood diarrhea.
* It enables timely and accurate differentiation between bacterial and non-bacterial diarrhea in children.
* It integrates biotechnology and material science to address childhood diarrhea.
* The kit is rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective.
* It is suitable for point-of-care diagnosis in resource-constrained environments like rural health centers and field settings.
* **Technology and Methodology:**
* The DiaCue platform is based on Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) technology.
* It utilizes disease-specific fecal biomarkers for rapid detection.
* It employs gold nanoparticle-based colorimetric detection for visual interpretation.
* No specialized laboratory instruments are required.
* Proprietary biomarkers and custom-designed reagents ensure high sensitivity and specificity.
* The testing process involves collecting a stool sample, mixing it with an extraction buffer, and applying the supernatant to the LFA strip.
* Colored lines on the strip indicate whether the infection is bacterial or non-bacterial.
* **Key Advantages:**
* Rapid differentiation of bacterial and non-bacterial diarrhea.
* Reduction in unnecessary antibiotic usage and antimicrobial resistance.
* Ease of use in both clinical and field environments.
* Minimal dependence on sophisticated laboratory infrastructure.
* **Development and Validation:**
* The technology was developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Hyderabad.
* It has been clinically validated at ESIC Hospital Hyderabad.
* **Intellectual Property and Commercialization:**
* The proprietary biomarker detection methodology is protected under an international patent filing.
* This ensures intellectual property protection and enables scalable commercialization.
**Impact Analysis**
* **BabyCue Private Limited**
* **Impact:**
* Will receive financial support from TDB-DST for product development and commercialization.
* Will be able to accelerate product development.
* Will enhance manufacturing capabilities.
* Will deploy the diagnostic solution widely.
* **Action Required:**
* Utilize the financial support to develop, manufacture, and deploy the DiaCue Diagnostic Kit.
* **Healthcare Providers**
* **Impact:**
* Will have access to a rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective diagnostic tool for childhood diarrhea.
* Will be able to make quicker clinical decisions.
* Will be able to reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage.
* Will benefit from ease of use in various settings, including resource-constrained areas.
* **Action Required:**
* Adopt and utilize the DiaCue Diagnostic Kit for the diagnosis of childhood diarrhea.
* **Patients (Children with Diarrhea)**
* **Impact:**
* Will benefit from timely and accurate diagnosis of their condition.
* Will experience reduced unnecessary antibiotic usage, potentially mitigating antimicrobial resistance.
* Will benefit from improved healthcare delivery, especially in remote or underserved areas.
* **Action Required:**
* Receive diagnosis and treatment based on the results from the DiaCue Diagnostic Kit.
* **Public Health System**
* **Impact:**
* Will be strengthened by improved primary healthcare delivery and clinical decision-making.
* Will see a reduction in the burden of childhood diarrhea through better management.
* Will contribute to efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.
* **Action Required:**
* Support the integration and deployment of the DiaCue Diagnostic Kit within the healthcare infrastructure.
Key Entities Referenced
Technology Development Board (TDB): A department of the Government of India that provides financial support for the development of new technologies.
BabyCue Private Limited: A private company receiving support for the development of a rapid diagnostic platform.
DiaCue Diagnostic Kit: The specific product being developed, a rapid diagnostic kit for childhood diarrhea.
Cuttack (Odisha): The location where BabyCue Private Limited is based and the project is being undertaken.
Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) technology: The core technology used in the DiaCue platform for disease-specific biomarker detection.
Ministry of Science & Technology
TDB-DST SUPPORTS BABYCUE PVT. LTD.,
CUTTACK (ODISHA) FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
RAPID DIAGNOSTIC PLATFORM FOR
CHILDHOOD DIARRHEA
Posted On: 09 MAR 2026 2:32PM by PIB Delhi
The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government
of India, has extended financial support to M/s BabyCue Private Limited, Cuttack (Odisha) for its project
titled “A Disposable Paper Analytical Platform for Rapid Differentiation of Childhood Diarrhea.” The
project focuses on the commercialization of an indigenous rapid diagnostic kit designed to enable timely
and accurate differentiation between bacterial and non-bacterial diarrhea in children.
The proposed product, DiaCue Diagnostic Kit, represents a significant indigenous innovation integrating
biotechnology and material science to address the widespread public health challenge of childhood
diarrhea in India. The kit is designed as a rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic
solution that can be deployed even in resource-constrained environments such as rural health centers and
field settings.
The DiaCue platform is based on Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) technology that utilizes disease-specific fecal
biomarkers for rapid detection. The system employs gold nanoparticle–based colorimetric detection,
allowing results to be interpreted visually without the need for specialized laboratory instruments. The use
of proprietary biomarkers and custom-designed reagents ensures high sensitivity and specificity, enabling
reliable differentiation between bacterial and non-bacterial infections.
The testing process is simple and suitable for point-of-care applications. A fresh stool sample is collected
using a sample loop or swab and mixed with an extraction buffer. After settling, the clear supernatant is
applied onto the LFA strip, where it migrates and interacts with immobilized reagents to produce a visible
color change. The presence or absence of colored lines on the strip indicates whether the infection is
bacterial or non-bacterial, enabling rapid clinical decision-making within minutes.
Key advantages of the DiaCue diagnostic platform include rapid differentiation of bacterial and non-
bacterial diarrhea, reduction in unnecessary antibiotic usage and antimicrobial resistance, ease of use in
both clinical and field environments, and minimal dependence on sophisticated laboratory infrastructure.
The technology has been developed in collaboration with National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education
and Research Hyderabad and clinically validated at ESIC Hospital Hyderabad. The proprietary biomarker
detection methodology is protected under an international patent filing, ensuring intellectual property
protection and enabling scalable commercialization.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated, “Indigenous innovations in
rapid diagnostics are essential for strengthening primary healthcare delivery and improving clinical
decision-making. By supporting the commercialization of the DiaCue diagnostic platform, TDB aims topromote affordable, accessible, and technology-driven healthcare solutions that address critical public
health challenges such as childhood diarrhea.”
Promoters of BabyCue Private Limited expressed gratitude for the support and noted that the assistance
from TDB will enable the company to accelerate product development, scale manufacturing capabilities,
and deploy the diagnostic solution widely to benefit healthcare providers and patients.
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NKR/FK/NM
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