Agilus Diagnostics hosted Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland, and a Scottish delegation at its Goregaon reference laboratory in Mumbai to explore opportunities for collaboration in diagnostic technology, research and advanced microbial testing.

Facilitated by the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, the visit showcased Agilus Diagnostics’ laboratory capabilities and featured a demonstration of rapid microbial testing technology developed by Edinburgh-based Microbira Limited. The technology is installed in Agilus’ Microbiology Department and is designed to support faster identification of infection-causing microorganisms.

The demonstration highlighted Microbira’s AI-powered MAAP-IR platform, which uses Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and artificial intelligence to identify microorganisms from cultured samples. According to the technology developer, identification can be completed in under three minutes once a pure culture is available.

The platform’s validated library covers more than 35 clinically relevant bacteria and yeasts, including the six ESKAPE pathogens associated with serious hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance. Faster identification could help microbiology laboratories provide clinicians with timely information and support more targeted treatment decisions.

During the engagement, the delegation reviewed Agilus’ laboratory network, its microbiology capabilities and potential applications of advanced diagnostic solutions in India. Discussions also covered Microbira’s plans to enter the Indian market and opportunities to strengthen India–Scotland cooperation in healthcare technology and research.

Vijender Singh, Managing Director and CEO of Agilus Diagnostics, said international technology partnerships could help introduce advanced diagnostic capabilities to India while allowing companies to evaluate their relevance to local clinical requirements.

Douglas Alexander highlighted the potential for India and Scotland to collaborate on antimicrobial resistance through research and innovation. He noted that rapid microbial testing technologies could contribute to faster infection identification and support efforts to address AMR.

The Scotland Office has identified a potential £10 million export opportunity for Microbira in the Indian diagnostics market. However, the commercial scope of any collaboration involving Agilus Diagnostics, including investment commitments, has not yet been finalised.

The visit followed a separate engagement on October 26, when Agilus hosted nine UK diagnostics companies at its Goregaon facility under the UK–India Diagnostic Cohort programme.

The development highlights growing international interest in India’s diagnostics market and the potential role of AI-enabled microbiology in tackling antimicrobial resistance. Future collaboration will depend on clinical evaluation, regulatory requirements, commercial arrangements and the suitability of the technology for large-scale diagnostic workflows in India.