TDB backs Cuttack start-up BabyCue's DiaCue kit for rapid diagnosis of childhood diarrhoea
The Technology Development Board under DST announced on 9 March 2026 financial support to BabyCue Pvt Ltd, Cuttack (Odisha), to commercialise DiaCue, a paper-based kit that tells bacterial from non-bacterial diarrhoea in children.
Summary
The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science and Technology announced on 9 March 2026 financial support to BabyCue Private Limited, Cuttack (Odisha), for its project 'A Disposable Paper Analytical Platform for Rapid Differentiation of Childhood Diarrhea'. The DiaCue kit uses lateral flow assay technology with disease-specific faecal biomarkers and gold-nanoparticle colour detection, so results can be read visually within minutes. Telling bacterial from non-bacterial infection is meant to cut unnecessary antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. The technology was developed with NIPER Hyderabad and clinically validated at ESIC Hospital Hyderabad.
Key facts
- Date
- 9 March 2026
- Funder
- Technology Development Board (DST)
- Company
- BabyCue Pvt Ltd, Cuttack, Odisha
- Product
- DiaCue — lateral flow assay, gold-nanoparticle colour readout
- Purpose
- Bacterial vs non-bacterial childhood diarrhoea; curb antibiotic misuse
- Partners
- NIPER Hyderabad; validated at ESIC Hospital Hyderabad
Practice MCQs 1 questions
DiaCue, the rapid diagnostic kit supported by the Technology Development Board in March 2026, is meant to distinguish between which conditions?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bacterial and non-bacterial childhood diarrhoea
DiaCue, by BabyCue Pvt Ltd of Cuttack, differentiates bacterial from non-bacterial diarrhoea in children.