Preclinical

The state-of-the-art ‘preclinical research facility’ spreads over 125,000 Sq.ft designed and built in compliance with Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines with inputs from international consultants and experts. The facility is registered with CPCSEA (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals) approval vide No. 1117/PO/bc/07/CPCSEA.

The facility spreads over 5 floors and is designed and built for accommodating animal species, which include - rats, mice, guinea pig, rabbits, hamsters, and canines.

Salient Features

• AAALAC International accredited State-of-the-art 125,000 Sq.Ft experimentation and breeding facility
• Class 100,000 facility with efficient HVAC control (Blue Star) - 100% pass through air circulation
• 3 level pressure gradient system with supply and return corridors with air locks
• Barrier (Clean Corridor) and non-barrier (Service Corridor) areas are distinctly separated
• Dedicated areas with separate entry and exit for breeding & experimentation
• Adequate infrastructure for isolation of experiments
• Well equipped areas to handle transgenic, disease and surgical models
• Independent AHU for each study room and quarantine room
• Robust Building Management System (iBMS) by Siemens, Inc.
• Tiered Biometric Access Control with restricted entry

Major Equipment

The facility houses best of the instruments from reputed vendors for exceptional quality conduct of the studies. Few of which include –

Biochemical Analyser, Hematology Analyser, Urine Analyser, Reverse Osmosis Water System, Elix Water System, Refrigerated Centrifuge, Mix Mate, Autoclaves (2), Refrigerator, Freezer, Tissue Processor, Tissue Embedder, Flattening Table, Water Bath, Semi Motorized, Microtome, Manual Microtome, Slide Stainer, Cold plate, Inverted Microscope, Magnetic Stirrer, pH meter/Temperature Laboratory Bench, Meter, Hot Plate Stirrer, Autoclave, Animal Weighing Balance (3), AHU Ventilation Units - IVCs (4), Laminar Air Flow (6), Freezer, Balances (6)

Water

Autoclaved water is being used.
Water Contaminants checks: Routine system checks include general observation of the overall system, the chemical and water storage tanks to assure the system is functioning properly.

A quarterly sample is collected to assess the Bio-Burden, free chlorine levels, Pseudomonas sp., and coliform organisms. The water is also evaluated for contaminant analysis yearly once.

Feed

Feed is provided Ad libitum, unless it depends upon the study protocol. sample are sent for nutritional analysis and contamination analysis.

1. Type and Source of Food.
   • Global Rodent # 2018SC (Sterilizable), Harlan Netherland
   • Nutrilab ® Rodent - IR Diets (Irradiated), Provimi India
   • Nutrilab ® Rabbit - IR Diets (Irradiated), Provimi India
   • Nutrilab ® G. Pig - IR Diets (Irradiated), Provimi India
2. Storage Place:
   • Diets are stored in dedicated rooms of Vivo Bio that are vermin proof and temperature controlled. Feed bags are stored off the floor, and stacked away from walls to allow for air circulation as well as pest control. A professional exterminator monitors pest control.

Bedding

Contact Bedding: Corncob bedding material is used for Rodents and G.Pig maintained in solid bottom cages. The bedding material is autoclaved before use.

Bedding# 7072 [CERTIFIED 118- PURELITE SANITIZED CORN COB (301bs)]

Bedding storage facilities: Bedding material is stored off the floor, and stacked away from walls to allow for air circulation as well as pest control. A professional exterminator monitors pest control. Dedicated bedding material storage room is provided in Vivarium. Samples from one lot of contact bedding material each year to an outside laboratory to monitor for contaminants such as pesticides, bacteria, yeast, and molds. This analysis and the manufacturer’s analysis are reviewed and maintained on file.

Light, Photoperiod and Air Changes

Temperature and Humidity

Individual animal room temperature is controlled with an ambient temperature of 18-26°C. Humidity throughout the building is controlled at 30-70% with general building thermo-hygrometer.

Man, Animals and Material Movement

The facility is a conventional facility where the movements is carried out from clean to dirty.

Cage Washing

All cages are autoclaved before entering into the clean area. The washing process consists of four stages:

• Stage 1 - Water wash – This stage consists of flushing water on the cages. All the solid waste attached to the cage gets cleaned.
• Stage 2 – Detergent wash – A detergent solution is used and the cages are soaked for 15 minutes after which they are scrubbed with suitable scrubber, if required.
• Stage 3 – Flushing - In this stage the cages are again cleaned under running water.
• Stage 4 – Rinsing - In this stage the cages are rinsed with water and finally placed on pallets. These wash cages are later autoclaved before use.