ITU ARI Teknokent's #FightCOVID19 Call

Tunçalp provided explanations to AA correspondent regarding the steps taken by İTÜ ARI Teknokent in combating coronavirus. He stated that there are many new requirements and innovations needed to combat the novel coronavirus affecting the entire world, and that technology entrepreneurs could fill significant gaps in this area. Tunçalp said, "There are many new or high-volume needs ranging from low-cost respiratory support devices to stretchers for transporting infected patients. In recent days, the European Union also issued a call for innovative products related to coronavirus and announced it would support entrepreneurs working for this purpose. As İTÜ ARI Teknokent, we are mobilized with our programs, companies and entrepreneurs for the fight against coronavirus."

"We have begun supporting technologies that can be used in the fight"

Tunçalp noted that as İTÜ Core Early-Stage Incubation Centre they have opened the #FightCOVID19 vertical, emphasizing the importance of every detail that could contribute to humanity's fight against coronavirus.

Tunçalp stated as follows:

"Our call in the #FightCOVID19 vertical will continue throughout the year. We are waiting for all entrepreneurs with ideas to fight corona. From detection methods to respirator technologies; if you have a product that can contribute to solving 'this problem' which has many dimensions from sterilization solutions to ventilators, develop it at İTÜ Çekirdek and improve the world, we say. We invite initiatives focused on this area to contact us by applying through www.itucekirdek.com. In this context, we hope that some groups will begin working on portable respiratory devices and oxygenators which are expected to be in high demand." Saying "As İTÜ ARI Teknokent, from among the products of hundreds of entrepreneur companies we have graduated from İTÜ Çekirdek over the years, we have begun supporting those that can be used in combating coronavirus," Tunçalp mentioned that they have begun re-introducing to banks and regulatory bodies the solution developed by Money Shower, a company graduated from İTÜ Çekirdek last year, which disinfects circulating money by being attached to ATM machines.

Coronavirus diagnostic kit from Bioeksen and Sentromer

Tunçalp recalled that Bioeksen, one of the İTÜ ARI Teknokent companies, has developed a pathogen kit that can diagnose coronavirus in as little as 90 minutes, noting that the kit has been put into use. Stating that the developed kit resulted from joint R&D work by Bioeksen and the T.C. Ministry of Health, Public Health General Directorate (HSGM) Virology Laboratory, Tunçalp said, "The kit is currently being used by our Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, Sentromer, another of our companies working on genetic tests, has begun selling coronavirus diagnostic kits."   Source