Testing beyond walls: The Molbio revolution

February 11, 2026 Innovation Valli Sarvani

Healthcare innovation often begins with a simple but urgent question. How can quality diagnostics reach those who need them most?

Molbio Diagnostics answered this with action. Founded by Sriram Natarajan and Chandrasekhar Nair, the Goa-based company transformed molecular testing.

Its flagship platform, Truenat, is portable and battery-operated.

Moreover, it delivers RT-PCR results at the point of care. Unlike traditional machines, it does not depend on centralised laboratories.

As a result, Truenat works in remote and underserved regions. It provides results in under 60 minutes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, ICMR approved it early for decentralised testing. Consequently, it reduced testing delays in tier-2 cities and rural districts.

Today, over 5,000 centres across India use Truenat. Furthermore, more than 25 countries have adopted the platform. It has screened over 50 million patients for TB, COVID-19, HIV, hepatitis, and dengue.

The idea began with a stark gap in rural healthcare. In the early 2000s, Natarajan noticed delayed diagnoses due to urban lab concentration.

Therefore, he envisioned diagnostics that travel to patients. However, building such a solution required persistence.

Over 12 years, Molbio and its research arm, Bigtec Labs, refined the technology. They conducted validations and partnered with ICMR and CSIR.

Eventually, Truenat emerged as India’s first indigenous point-of-care molecular system. It later became part of the National TB Elimination Program.

Entering the market was not easy. Global giants dominated RT-PCR systems. In contrast, Molbio proposed an affordable, decentralised model.

Many doubted its feasibility. Investors hesitated to back deep-tech medtech ventures, despite rising healthcare needs. Regulatory approvals also demanded rigorous evidence.

Nevertheless, Molbio persisted. It partnered with governments and global health agencies. Field deployments strengthened credibility. Each pilot improved performance and trust.

Today, Molbio stands as a symbol of accessible innovation. It proves that world-class diagnostics can be built in India, for the world.

Image Credit: Molbiodiagnostics Website Screenshot