An indigenous and cheaper test to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) can be made available in a year. It was stated by Indian Council of Medical Research or ICMR's Director General Soumya Swaminathan on the sidelines of 17th International Congress on Infectious Diseases in Hyderabad.<br/><br/>Dr. Swaminathan said, A Bengaluru-based company has made the new diagnostic tool for TB. Expressing hope that it will be as good as GeneXpert test, she said, if ICMR's evaluation shows positive result, then the new tool may replace GeneXpert. <br/><br/>GeneXpert is a popular test for detecting TB that provides result in a couple of hours. ICMR is also working on developing vaccines for major infections, malaria and HIV. The phase-one trial for malaria vaccine should start very soon as the necessary approvals have been obtained, Dr. Swaminathan said. She added, regulatory clearance is also being sought to start the phase-three trial for a new vaccine for TB.