Pavan Asalapuram

Pavan Asalapuram

Affiliated to Research
Visiting address: Widerströmska huset Tomtebodavägen 18 A, plan 3, 17165 Solna
Postal address: K9 Global folkhälsa, K9 GPH Stålsby Lundborg, 171 77 Stockholm

About me

  • I am a global health-focused biotech entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in developing and scaling diagnostic technologies that address some of the world’s most pressing socio-economic health challenges — particularly drug resistance in zoonotic infections, oral health, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

    As an entrepreneur, I have led the development of scientifically rigorous, commercially viable, and globally deployable diagnostic and hygiene solutions such as mfloDx™, RAR-ELISA™, SelektaDx™, SteriPOC™, InstaCoat™, and OralAura™. These platforms enable rapid, accurate, and affordable detection of MDR-TB, AMR, cancer, and veterinary infections across diverse healthcare settings. I have established strategic academic, R&D, and commercial partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

    I combine scientific innovation with operational execution — translating concepts into regulated, market-ready products integrated within real-world health systems. I am actively open to collaborations and partnerships with academicians and researchers in global health, and remain committed to scaling high-impact solutions in diagnostics, life sciences, health systems, and policy implementation in diagnostics and drug resistance.

Research

  • My core research and innovation interests include the development of novel and impactful diagnostic solutions, with a strong focus on antibiotic resistance in tuberculosis and zoonotic infections, as well as biofilm-mediated resistance in oral hygiene. I specialize in antigen–antibody-based technologies such as lateral flow assays and ELISA, and actively explore the socio-economic dimensions of global public health interventions.

Teaching

  • Supervised around 20 Bachelors and Masters thesis students/projects.

    Conducted laboratory practical classess for Bachelor and Masters degree students. 

     

Articles

All other publications

  • Patent: 2025
    Portable and adaptive modular sterilization and lubrication system and applications
    Asalapuram P
  • Patent: 2025
    One-Step Intercepting polymerase chain reaction (IntPCR) for simultaneous detection of wildtypes and selective point mutations and applications thereof
    Asalapuram P; Nikhil S
  • Patent: 2025
    Analytical, clinical and interdisciplinary applications utilizing Shigella flexneri apyrase
    Asalapuram P
  • Patent: 2024
    Novel coating and immobilization buffer for antigens and antibodies and uses thereof
    Asalapuram P; Nikhil S; Krishnan S
  • Patent: 2022
    Modified Shigella apyrase and uses thereof
    Asalapuram P; Nikhil S
  • Patent: 2017
    Diagnostic device and related method
    Asalapuram P; Mats NB
  • Patent: 2016
    Analytical and diagnostic methods utilizing Shigella flexneri apyrase
    Asalapuram P; Aman R
  • Patent: 2009
    A method to detect the microbial resistance to antibiotics using fluorescence
    Asalapuram P; Krishnan S; Alagumaruthanayagam A
  • Review: FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY. 2008;46(2):125-145
    The Need and New Tools for Surveillance of Escherichia coli Pathogens
    Asalapuram P; Krishnan Sankaran
  • Report: 2005;:26
    Characterization of diarrhoeagenic E. coli (EPEC and EHEC) from incidences of infantile diarrhoea
    Asalapuram P

Grants

  • Exploring mlfoDx MDR-TB diagnostic platform in Africa and Latin American markets
    Business Sweden
    1 November 2023
  • Rapid Affordable Reliable-ELISA (RAR-ELISA) platform for the diagnosis of important helminthic infections
    Department of Biotechnology , Ministry of Science and Technology
    1 June 2023 - 31 December 2024
  • Multiplex Diagnostic Platform for Accurate and Rapid Detection of MDR & pre-XDR-TB
    IPE Global
    1 January 2023
  • Adaptable multi-flow diagnostics for multidrug-resistant TB using tongue swabs
    Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
    1 November 2022
  • AdvanceTB: Towards an improvement in diagnostics and treatment strategies for tuberculosis control
    1 September 2022 - 30 September 2026
  • mfloDx: An Adaptable Multiflow Diagnostic Platform to Genetically Identify Drug Resistant Infection
    European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
    1 January 2020 - 30 June 2024
  • mfloDx: An Adaptable Multiflow Diagnostic Platform to Genetically Identify Drug Resistant Infection
    European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
    1 October 2019 - 29 February 2020
  • RCA-ADT diagnostic platform for the rapid detection of enteric pathogens
    EPSRC grant
    1 January 2016 - 31 December 2017
  • A multiplex diagnostic test for multi-drug/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis
    VINNOVA
    1 November 2013 - 30 September 2016
  • Integrated fluidic-array-microsystem for rapid screening of extended spectrum β-lactamases and multidrug resistant pathogens.
    KTH - Life Science Platform
  • Real-time wireless biosensor networks for the surveillance of microbes and pollutants in drinking water supply lines
    KTK Life Science Technology Platform
  • INNOVA4TB: Innovative development to enable individualised tuberculosis treatment
    European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation

Employments

  • Affiliated to Research, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2022-
  • CEO, Mitti Lifetek AB, 2019-2024
  • Founder & CEO, EMPE Diagnostics AB, 2016-2024
  • Postdoctor, Stockholm University, 2013-2016
  • Researcher, Biothema AB & KTH, 2012-2013
  • Postdoctor, Molecular Diagnostics, Royal Institute of Technology, 2010-2011

Degrees and Education

  • PhD, Clinical Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, 2010
  • M.S. (res), Clinical Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai, 2006
  • EPGD in Hospital & Health Care Management, Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA), 2002
  • B. Pharmacy, Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Dr MGR Medical University, 2001

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