OncQuest - Illuminating Cancer Diagnosis

Dabur's OncQuest plans expansion of cancer diagnostic business

Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Our Bureau, New Delhi

OncQuest, a Dabur group company that has introduced an exclusive molecular testing facility in the area of diagnostic oncology for the first time in South East Asia, is eying at expanding its reach toward neighbouring countries in the coming months. The laboratory will also cater to a larger number of domestic patients through a widened network of specimen collection centres in 10 - 15 major locations of the country. Currently, OncQuest has its presence in 8 locations and 30 specimen collection centres covering all major Indian cities. The foreign patients OncQuest cater today are from Sri Lanka, through its Chennai office.

Informing this to Pharmabiz.com Vivek Trikha, Head Diagnostics, Dabur OncQuest, said the specimens from neighbouring nations should start coming within six month to one year. OncQuest is expecting an accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for its testing facility soon, he added.

"The objective of this venture is to provide cost-effective, molecular diagnostic services in India. This derives considerably from the state-of-the-art research and development of new and appropriate assays. OncQuest's new technologically advanced clinical and research laboratory is fully equipped with molecular technologies allowing for rapid advancement in the complex field of proteomics, genomics, and bioinformatics. The new integrated research facility provides a strong foundation for Dabur OncQuest to grow within the field of genetic oncology. This laboratory is equipped to provide the most advanced proteins/antibodies and nucleic acid based diagnostic and prognostic tests for the better and more accurate diagnosis and management of cancer," he explained.

OncQuest, which began its operations in the year 2003, is primarily targeting oncologists for their business. Specimens from almost all cancer specialty hospitals are reaching its laboratory.

"Our customers are primarily oncology hospitals, nursing homes and CROs and our tests are prescription based. We must have carried out about 10,000 tests that have been prescribed by over 2500 doctors," Trikha said.

The concept of oncology diagnostic lab is relatively new in India. "OncQuest is a trend-setter in this segment. We provided highly specialized information clinicians require. We have been well accepted by the doctor community and we have built huge credibility over the last three years," Aditya C. Burman, General Manager, OncQuest said. "Cost effectiveness is another advantage. Our charges, which ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 20,000 is significantly cheaper than the fee charged by laboratories in the developed countries," he added.

OncQuest offers a wide variety of cancer testing services. Its laboratory tests can help the oncologists answer specific questions about a patient's cancer. The laboratory utilizes the experience and expertise of trained scientists and physicians to provide - clinicians with an incisive diagnosis & prognosis (monitoring) to identify disease & provide monitoring solutions at the fine point of differentiation of a disease. Batteries of molecular tests are performed, that helps the oncologist answer specific questions such as - Is the tumour malignant, what type of cancer is it, how aggressive is the cancer, is it likely to recur etc.

OncQuest has introduced a number of techniques to evaluate the structure of DNA, RNA or Proteins in cells. The most common methods used in the clinical setting include: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Real Time PCR, Fluorescent - In - Situ - Hybridization (FISH), Cytogenetics, Flow Cytometry, Immunohistochemistry and routine surgical pathology. A number of these different methodologies can be used to detect the same abnormality. The selection of one technique over another is often based on a variety of factors, such as sensitivity and specificity profiles, cost, turnaround time and availability of technologically advanced and competitively priced laboratory set up.