Researchers at Yashraj Biotechnology Ltd. developed a novel, cost-effective indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) assay, the UC-ANCA assay, for the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in the Indian population. The assay uses intact nuclei from human neutrophils to detect atypical p-ANCA, a promising biomarker for UC. Validated against a commercial ANCA IIF assay, it detected atypical p-ANCA in 86.6% of UC patients compared to 71.1%, offering higher sensitivity, faster results and affordability at about one-tenth the cost of imported tests.