Our Breakthroughs

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Navigene’s relentless pursuit of multidisciplinary innovation has produced notable breakthroughs, some already validated and commercialized for realworld impact.

Expanding the metabolic disorders panel to 115 disorders using dried urine spot

Traditional newborn screening uses a painful heel-prick blood sample to test for up to 50 metabolic disorders and often requires a second, urine-based confirmatory test — increasing cost, anxiety, and turnaround time. Early discharge and deliveries in remote settings further reduce feasibility.

Navigene Baby Screen is a revolutionary urine-based, non-invasive test that screens newborns for 110 genetic and metabolic disorders from as early as day 2 of life, using a simple Urine sample collected on a filter-paper. It uses Planar diagnostics to analyze 250+ unique markers in the urine for pinpoint and accurate diagnosis of metabolic disorders. It also provides built-in confirmatory results for ~80 % of conditions, reducing false positives and eliminating follow-up testing in most cases.

Developed in India, Navigene is the world’s first and most comprehensive non-invasive newborn screening platform, already trusted across India, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Single step DBS test for clinically relevant hemoglobinopathies on an Open HPLC system

HPLC remains the gold-standard for diagnosing hemoglobinopathies but relies on venous whole-blood collection and cold-chain logistics, limiting its use in remote regions. Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling provides a simple finger-prick alternative, requiring only a few drops of blood that can be dried on filter paper and shipped at ambient temperature.

While DBS-HPLC is widely used in newborn screening, its use in children and adults is virtually unexplored, and existing closed-system HPLCs (like Bio-Rad) are not compatible with DBS samples from these age groups. To bridge this gap, we successfully developed a proprietary DBS-based protocol using open HPLC systems, specifically optimized for newborns, children, and adults—enabling reliable, quick and comprehensive diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies even in low-resource settings.

Significant reduction in HPLC sample processing time through proprietary mobile-phase chemistry and optimized column reengineering modifying flow rates

Our in-house developed, validated and NABL-accredited DBS-HPLC test for hemoglobinopathies (across all age groups) is not only highly accurate and comprehensive but also designed for high-throughput mass screening. Over three years, we engineered proprietary optimizations — including changes to column chemistry, mobile phase molarity/pH, and gradient flow — enabling the assay to deliver equivalent results in half the time of traditional closed-system HPLC platforms.

Dr. Dipanjana Datta

Consultant Geneticist & Senior Genetic Counsellor

Dr. Dipanjana Datta is a molecular geneticist with a PhD in Human Genetics from the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Virginia Commonwealth University—specializing in neuromuscular disorders—and holds certification as a medical geneticist.

She leads in prenatal and reproductive genetics, rare disease diagnostics , nephrogenetics, and neuromuscular disorders. As a senior research scientist, she participated in the Indian Genome Variation Consortium, contributing to its major genomics efforts.Her scholarly work includes peer-reviewed publications in journals such as PNAS, Journal of Neurology, and PLOS One. She pioneered India’s first public-health-based rare disease screening clinics in collaboration with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and holds a patent for a biomarker-based diagnostic approach in head and neck cancer.

Lakshita Chauhan

Head - Genomics, Geneticist & Genetic Counsellor

Lakshita Chauhan is one of India’s foremost and most respected genetic counselors, widely recognized for her contributions to the field of medical genetics. She is the first genetic counselor to have served the Indian Armed Forces, where she established the inaugural genetics clinic and laboratory with clinical Geneticist, New Delhi. Her journey began at the National Inherited Disorders Administration (NIDAN) Kendra under the Department of Biotechnology, where she laid the foundation as its first Genetic Counselor.

With a distinguished career spanning preconception, prenatal, postnatal, pediatric, neurogenetic, and oncogenetic counseling, Lakshita combines deep expertise in genomic data analysis with a compassionate, non-directive counseling approach. She is dedicated to helping patients and families navigate complex genetic findings, understand their implications, and find strength in the face of uncertainty.

In recognition of her groundbreaking work and leadership in the field, Lakshita was awarded the National Youth Icon Award in Genetic at 3rd National Symposium on genetic diseases held at New Delhi.

Currently, as part of Navigene, she is spearheading the development of the genetics division—building it from the ground up to position the institution as India’s premier center for genetic diagnostics and research. Alongside her clinical and research endeavors, she is a passionate advocate for rare genetic disorders, frequently engaging as a keynote speaker to raise awareness and foster understanding of children’s genetic conditions.

Lakshita Chauhan stands at the intersection of science, compassion, and advocacy—committed to shaping the future of genetics in India and empowering individuals and families through knowledge and care.

Mr. Anirvan Dam

Director, Sales-Retail

Anirvan Dam serves as the Director of Sales – Retail at Navigene Genetic Science Pvt. Ltd., where he spearheads both retail and institutional sales initiatives. Holding a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) with a specialization in Marketing, Anirvan is also an alumnus of the National Institute of Sales.

With a robust career spanning corporate and retail sales across diverse sectors, Anirvan has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of market dynamics and customer engagement strategies. His entrepreneurial acumen is exemplified by the founding of The Kids Clinic (TKC), a pediatric healthcare venture under Kids Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd., which expanded from a single clinic in Dombivli to over 15 locations through strategic partnerships and franchise models.

At Navigene, Anirvan adopts a holistic approach to sales, integrating cross-functional collaboration to enhance the overall sales experience. His leadership is marked by the implementation of innovative strategies that drive consistent growth and elevate customer satisfaction. Anirvan is a passionate cricket enthusiast and regards traveling as a natural expression of his zest for life.

Mr. Vinod R Jadhav

Director

Vinod Ramchandra Jadhav represents the first generation of SAVA’s founding family and served as the Managing Director of the company from 2004 to 2013. After completing Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 1990 from Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology Pune India, Vinod worked for 13 years for world class organizations like Larsen & Toubro, Mercedes- Benz, Fiat Automobiles & Tata AutoComp Systems in various roles across Sales, Marketing, distribution, Product Management, Import-Export logistics, International Taxation & Transfer Pricing.

In 2003, Vinod founded Anagha Pharma as a global pharmaceutical trading company. The company transformed into SAVA Healthcare in 2010 after acquiring two manufacturing units in Gujarat and Karnataka and establishing an R&D center in Pune. SAVA Healthcare has been involved in International Business, SAVAVET, SAVA Herbals and CRAMS activities then on.

Vinod is Honorary member of Rotary Club of Pune Heritage, a recipient of Major Donor Crystal and “Paul Harris Fellow” Pin from Rotary International. He was recently conferred the prestigious “Diamond of the CWITAN” award from his alma mater.

Vinod is also an investor & director in various enterprises around the world and supports philanthropic initiatives in education of underprivileged children, girl child & healthcare for the needy.

At Navigene, Vinod not only served as the first investor—continuing to fund its growth—but has also supported the company’s journey over the past 13 years with vital guidance, invaluable networks, and unwavering support

Mr. Surojit Nandy

Co-Founder | Director & COO

Surojit Nandy is a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in founding and scaling startups across diverse sectors, including healthcare, finance, real estate, and human resources.

He co-founded Navigene alongside Dr. Rishi Dixit, investing through his venture capital firm Incucapital Advisors and served as an investor and strategic advisor. Over the years, Surojit became deeply involved in various facets of Navigene’s operations, culminating in his appointment as full-time Chief Operating Officer and Director in 2024. In his current role, he oversees the company’s overall operations and spearheads key strategic initiatives.

Surojit is a Chemistry (Hons.) graduate from the University of Calcutta and holds an MBA from Symbiosis Institute, Pune. He began his career in IT consulting at Satyam Computers, working with European clients, before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey. Outside of work, Surojit is an avid reader, passionate runner, and has recently developed an interest in scriptwriting

Dr. Rishi Dixit

Co-Founder | Managing Director & CEO

Dr. Rishi Dixit is a thought leader in healthcare with over 14 years of expertise in preventive screening and diagnostics, having a strong focus on the early detection of genetic disorders. As Co-Founder, Managing Director, and CEO of Navigene Genetic Science Pvt. Ltd., he has been at the forefront of developing and implementing innovative, next-generation diagnostic solutions that bridge the gap between advanced science and real-world healthcare needs.

He has partnered with state governments across India to drive large-scale screening initiatives for hemoglobinopathies (sickle cell disease and thalassemia), especially in rural and tribal regions where the impact is most profound. His efforts combine cutting-edge technology with community engagement through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) programs, ensuring both accessibility and awareness among vulnerable populations.

An MBBS graduate with an MBA from Sydenham College, Mumbai, Dr. Dixit blends medical expertise with business leadership to shape Navigene’s mission of advancing preventive diagnostics. Beyond his executive responsibilities, he remains actively involved in core research and development, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in genetic science.

Outside of work, Dr. Dixit is a passionate cricket enthusiast and nurtures a personal aspiration to learn a musical instrument.