Kolkata, November 2026: Suraksha Diagnostic Limited, one of Eastern India’s leading diagnostic service providers, has launched the Suraksha Institute of Genomics (SIG) in Kolkata, marking a significant advancement in the region’s clinical diagnostic capabilities. The new institute aims to make advanced genomic testing locally accessible, supporting medical professionals in diagnosing and managing conditions ranging from cancer and rare genetic disorders to reproductive and prenatal health concerns.
With genomics increasingly playing a crucial role in modern clinical decision-making, SIG brings a comprehensive range of advanced diagnostic services to Kolkata. Previously, several specialised genomic tests required samples to be sent to laboratories in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Chennai, often resulting in longer turnaround times and delays in treatment decisions. The institute will now enable these tests to be processed locally, with expert interpretation and a strong emphasis on quality and accuracy.
In the field of cancer genomics, SIG offers comprehensive genomic profiling covering hundreds of cancer-related genes, alongside a 50-gene solid tumour panel that analyses DNA and RNA from a single biopsy, with reports available in as early as three working days. The institute also provides cancer-specific panels for lung, colorectal, breast, thyroid, brain, pancreatic and other cancers. These tests help identify genetic alterations that may guide targeted treatment decisions. BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing, along with hereditary cancer panels, are also available to assess inherited cancer risks and support appropriate clinical management.
The institute has also introduced advanced testing facilities in reproductive and prenatal genetics. Its non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) service, available from 10 weeks of pregnancy, screens for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, as well as sex chromosome aneuploidies, through a maternal blood sample. Additional diagnostic services include QF-PCR, chromosomal microarray, karyotyping and FISH. Genetic analysis of pregnancy loss is also offered to help couples understand possible underlying causes and plan future pregnancies.
For children and families affected by suspected genetic conditions, SIG provides chromosomal microarray, whole exome sequencing with trio analysis, targeted gene panels, beta-thalassaemia variant analysis and MLPA testing for specific genetic deletions and duplications associated with conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Pharmacogenomic testing is another key service, helping clinicians tailor medication selection and dosage based on an individual’s genetic profile.
The institute is equipped with a range of advanced genomic platforms, including the automated Ion Torrent Genexus System, Ion GeneStudio S5 System with Ion Chef, Illumina NextSeq 2000, GeneChip System for chromosomal microarray, and genetic analysers for Sanger sequencing, QF-PCR and MLPA, alongside conventional cytogenetics. All test results are interpreted by specialists in accordance with internationally recognised guidelines, including ACMG/AMP standards for inherited genetic variants and AMP/ASCO/CAP guidelines for cancer variants.
Speaking on the launch, Dr Somnath Chatterjee, Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Suraksha Diagnostic Limited, said, “Genomics is changing the way we diagnose, treat and prevent disease, from choosing the right cancer therapy to understanding why a child is unwell or a pregnancy is at risk. With the Suraksha Institute of Genomics, we are bringing this science into everyday clinical practice in Kolkata, backed by the commitment to accuracy and service that has defined Suraksha for more than three decades.”
Ritu Mittal, Joint Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Suraksha Diagnostic Limited, added, “At the Suraksha Institute of Genomics, we bring advanced diagnostic capabilities together as Eastern India’s first comprehensive genomic laboratory, making advanced genomic diagnostics accessible to patients and doctors across the region.”
The launch of SIG represents a major step towards strengthening specialised diagnostic infrastructure in Eastern India, enabling clinicians to access advanced genomic insights closer to their patients and supporting more informed, personalised healthcare decisions.
