BioSpectrum Asia Jan 2019

Volume 14 | Issue 01 | January 2019

Health 4.0 boosts Asia MedTech,
Bio-Pharma in 2019

“Public-private partnerships could
have greatest impact on NCDs care”
- Dr Harald Nusser, Head of Novartis
Social Business, Holzkirchen, Bavaria,
Germany – 37

ternational
stant
cisive
formative

[email protected]/ [email protected] ASIA EDITION

www.biopectrumasia.com

+65-63369142

4 BIO EDIT

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Milind Kokje SMALL DRONE FLIGHT: BIG
LEAP FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
Chief Editor
Aday in the last month of the year that just passed will probably go in a history as
[email protected] it launched a new era in the healthcare. That was the day when for the first time
in the world a vaccine was delivered by a drone to a remote island. Prior to this in
2016, Rawanda launched emergency delivery of life-saving blood by drones.

But, one-month old Joy Nowai in a remote island in the South Pacific of Vanuatu
becomes the world’s first child to receive the vaccine delivered by drone last month.
With that child, 12 other children and five pregnant women were vaccinated by a local
registered nurse. Their community area does not have a health centre or electricity and
is accessible only by foot or small boats.

From several angles this is an important development. The very first is the safe
transportation of vaccines since transporting vaccines is a tough task. They need to be
stored within a temperature range of 2 to 8 degree celsius, even during transportation,
otherwise its efficacy is compromised. In warm weather locations like Vanuatu, the
delivery becomes difficult due to the temperature issue. Terrains, limitations of roads
etc. make it even more difficult. Drone delivery would save time and overcome obstacles
like rough & difficult terrains and poor & inadequate road network. It could be a solution
for the temperature issue too.

Another angle is that of cost saving. A joint research study by John Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health and Pittsburgh Supercomputing Centre had dealt with the cost
angle. The study published in the 2016 issue of the journal ‘Vaccine’ showed that the cost
savings would come from drones being able to deliver vaccines more quickly and cheaply
than land-based transport that are limited by road conditions and need for costly fuel
and maintenance. So, though the drone is used for vaccine delivery for the first time last
month such a possibility was suggested in 2016 itself.

Besides the delivery, vaccine needs technologies in various other ways. World Health
Organisation (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund
(UNICEF) found that hardly 30 per cent of low and lower middle income countries have
proper management and information system for vaccines. This shows the dire need for
effective monitoring of storage in remote places to protect the efficacy of vaccines.

A start-up Nextleaf Analytics has developed a technology called ColdTrace. It is a
wireless temperature monitoring system for vaccines storage in rural clinics and in
remote areas.

Despite immunising 650 million children and preventing 9 million deaths by the
vaccine alliance Gavi, the immunisation rate is stalled at 80 per cent. It was 60 per cent
in 2000 and progressed to 80 per cent by 2017. To take it to 100 per cent, the Gavi is of
the opinion that method of measuring immunisation coverage needs to be changed from
the current method of how many doses are distributed to how many children are actually
fully immunised. Unregistered births is a major obstacle since millions of children do
not have formal records of existence. Gavi feels that new digital technology and social
media can prove helpful to overcome this problem. May be drones delivering vaccines
can prove helpful in gathering this information also.

Hence, the development of drone delivered vaccines is rightly called a new era since
it is a breakthrough in opening up possibility of achieving 100 per cent immunisation.
Achieving 100 per cent target as early as possible is very important. That will require a
completely new approach. Drone delivery could probably prove to be that new approach.
No wonder UNICEF Executive Director H Fore describes it in the similar words that
were used by Neil Armstrong on stepping a feet on the moon – “Today’s small flight by
drone is a big leap for global health.”

BIO MAIL 5

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HIV fight BIOSPECTRUM
wishes its
China’s multi-sectoral approach to HIV, which Readers,
engages the government, civil society and the
private sector and draws on comprehensive Contributors,
national data, can provide important lessons Advertisers
for many countries in Asia and the Pacific and and Associates
beyond.

- Susana Aguilar, Singapore

Carving a pathway

Individualised therapies that target the specific
genetic features of tumours have the potential
to transform cancer diagnosis, treatment and
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before these approaches can be widely used in
the clinic. Please cover more details on this.

- Dr Carmen Rogan, Taiwan

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6 BIO CONTENT

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

COVERStory 16

HEALTH 4.0
BOOSTS ASIA MEDTECH,
BIO-PHARMA IN 2019

Asia is a region of stark contrasts, with approximately 4.5 billion people
– some 60 per cent of the world’s population – living in countries with
a rich diversity of economic, political, and demographic constituents. In
the coming year Asia will become a major hub for MedTech and Bio-
Pharma activities for both local as well multinational companies. Biotech
companies in the region are also actively partnering with leading global
biopharmaceutical companies on both the R&D and commercial fronts.
Asset-level partnership remains very active during 2019. According to
McKinsey Asia has the potential to leapfrog in the digital-health segment.
Asia has an opportunity to take the lead in developing big data/advanced

analytics solutions and technology
platforms, with the potential
to contribute to the global
healthcare ecosystem.

18

“Biosimilars
industry gets
more prominence”

Sakshi Sikka,
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Analyst, Fitch Solutions

31 DIGI-TECH 35 DIAGNOSTICS

Big Pharma’s Digital Journey Organised diagnostics
sector equals much
healthier India

Dr B.R Das,
Advisor and Mentor - R&D and Molecular Pathology,

SRL Diagnostics, India

BIO CONTENT 7

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21 VIBRANT GUJARAT CONNECT
ENGAGE
“Gujarat is putting a lot SHARE
of emphasis on self-
employment & promoting Connect with us
entrepreneurship twitter.com/
development in
biotechnology” BioSpectrumMag
facebook.com/
37 Q&A BioSpectrumMagazine
https://goo.gl/QY4nUp
“Public-private partnerships could
have the greatest impact on NCDs care” /BS-LinkedIn
www.biospectrumasia.com
Dr Harald Nusser,
Head of Novartis Social Business, Holzkirchen, Bavaria, Germany

40 Dr Mike Short, Deborah Kobewka,

“There is CBE, Chief Scientific Head- Healthcare,
a great Adviser, Department Life Sciences and Bio-
opportunity economy, Department of
for innovation of International International Trade (DIT),
to support Trade (DIT)
the delivery the United Kingdom
of healthcare the United Kingdom
in India”

REGULARS

BioEdit.............................................. 04
BioMail............................................. 05
Regulatory News........................... 08
Company News............................. 10
Finance News................................. 12
Start-Up News................................ 13
World News.................................... 15
Science News................................. 42
Academics News........................... 44
Supplier News................................ 45
People News................................... 47
Country Report.........................49

8 REGULATORY NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Thailand India approves MoU
becomes with Japan for Healthcare
first in Asia
to introduce The Union Cabinet chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
tobacco has given its ex-post facto approval on the Memorandum of Cooperation
plain (MoC) between India and Japan in the field of Healthcare and Wellness.
packaging According to the MoC, human resource will be developed in the field
of acute medicine, surgery and trauma care including focus on new
As per Thailand’s areas of competency in each field. An advanced joint testing laboratory
new legislation, by will be established for clinical
September 2019 all examination; a Japanese
tobacco products will language education centre will be
have plain packaging. established for trainee candidates
Thailand already has of care workers; collaborations
graphic health warnings among tertiary care centres in
covering 85 per cent both countries such as AUMS
packaging of tobacco will be established ; and sending
products. Introduction organisations will be supported
of plain packaging is to provide pre-lectures about
expected to further elderly care for technical intern
boost the country’s training programmes of care
tobacco control efforts workers through sending out certificated care workers from Japan and
targeting the current providing a curriculum and textbooks so as to provide trained care-givers
and new users. World to Japan. The agreement also highlights development of infrastructure:
Health Organization Establishing a centralised management healthcare distribution centre;
commended stronger Improving sanitary environment by increasing access to hygienic
tobacco control and affordable toilets such as on-site processing one; Promoting
measures being adopted institutional collaboration on patient data analysis and Information and
by Thailand which has Communication Technology & Artificial Intelligence in medicine;
become the first in Asia India-Japan Innovation Hub in India; Establishing high end mobile BSL
and the first low and 3 Lab facilities in India; and Collaboration on getting high end medical
middle-income country devices including Point of Care Diagnostics with a special focus on
to adopt plain packaging establishing manufacturing units in India under “Make in India”.
for tobacco products.
The new legislative Singapore Health Ministry to
announcement on support disadvantaged groups
plain packaging is the
latest effort of Thai One key area that the new cross- important undertaking that requires
government and adds to agency HealthySG Taskforce, led everyone to work together – across
the Tobacco Control Act by Senior Parliamentary Secretary, the government and the community.
2017 which enforces 20 Ministry of Home Affairs and The Taskforce recognises that more
years as the minimum Ministry of Health, Amrin Amin, needs to be done to customise the
age for purchasing will do is to focus our health mainstream health promotion efforts
tobacco, bans single promotion efforts to the needs and to the needs and circumstances of
stick sale and bans circumstances of individuals from individuals from disadvantaged
tobacco advertisement, disadvantaged groups. Members of groups. With a more tailored service
promotion and the Taskforce, which held its first delivery and programmes on the
sponsorship. meeting recently, discussed and ground, disadvantaged groups can
agreed to this priority. The Taskforce be empowered to live healthier
recognises that improving the health lifestyles and improve their health in
of Singaporeans is a major and the long term.

REGULATORY NEWS 9

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

DBT, India signs MoU HeartFlow receives
reimbursement
with Cancer Research UK approval in Japan

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) HeartFlow, Inc. has announced that the Japanese
for the partnership between Department Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW)
of Biotechnology (DBT), India and Cancer has approved the recommendation by the Central
Research UK for the India-UK Cancer Research Social Insurance Medical Council (Chuikyo)
Initiative was signed recently in New Delhi, to provide reimbursement for the HeartFlow
India. The India-UK Cancer Research Initiative FFRct Analysis. The HeartFlow Analysis has
is a collaborative 5-year bilateral research already received regulatory approval from the
initiative by the Department of Biotechnology, Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
Ministry of Science & Technology, India and Agency (PMDA). Reimbursement went into effect
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) that will focus on beginning December 1, 2018, enabling greater
affordable approaches to cancer. Both CRUK access for patients with suspected coronary
and DBT will invest £5 million each in this artery disease (CAD). The HeartFlow Analysis
5-year pilot, and seek further investment from is a non-invasive, personalized cardiac test that
other potential funding partners. The India-UK applies artificial intelligence to image data taken
Cancer Research Initiative will identify a core from a standard coronary computed tomography
set of research challenges that address issues of (CT) scan to create a digital 3D model of the
affordability, prevention and care of cancer by patient’s arteries. It then applies advanced
bringing together leading Indian and UK experts algorithms to solve millions of complex equations
across clinical research, demographic research, to assess the impact any blockages have on blood
new technologies and physical sciences. The flow to the heart. The HeartFlow Analysis is
initiative will provide funding to develop new provided via a secure online interface to offer
research alliances and undertake impactful actionable information to enable clinicians to
research to enable significant progress against determine the optimal course of treatment.
cancer outcomes. According to Dr Renu Swarup,
Secretary, DBT, the India-UK Cancer Research
Initiative will provide a catalyzing platform
for scientists and researchers in the United
Kingdom and India to co-create solutions for
affordable cancer care that improve cancer
outcomes around the globe. At DBT the priority
is to apply science to solving complex challenges
that benefit all humanity.

Malaysia turns to drones to combat Aedes mosquitos

The Malaysian Health Ministry the drones could be sought
plans to extend their use of through the ministry through
drone technology at state provisions in Budget 2019.
health departments throughout The minister states that the
the nation in an effort to decline in dengue and fatal
combat Aedes mosquitoes and dengue cases is due to the
control Dengue outbreaks. ongoing efforts to increase
According to Minister Dr the public awareness of the
Dzulkefly Ahmad, the drones danger of the mosquitoes. The
can be very effective to detect Malaysian Health Ministry is
the mosquitoes, especially in also promoting precautionary
hard-to-reach areas. Based measures which include the
on preliminary information, communication for behavioral
the allocation to purchase impact programme (combi).

10 COMPANY NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Korea telecom to YITU Healthcare to use
help Ghana fight AI for cancer detection
epidemic diseases
Chinese technology company YITU, which is dedicated to
South Korea’s largest Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and innovation, has
telecommunications company, KT announced the launch of a new project named “the map of
Corporation has signed a historic deal preventing cancer with AI” recently. YITU Healthcare plans to
with Ghana to fight epidemics in Africa invest 100 million yuan ($14,377,938) to promote the application
and other parts of the world with the of AI in cancer detection and screening in the coming five years.
company’s innovative technology. The The project covers 19 provinces, cities and autonomous regions
Korean telecom leader has signed an in China including Guangdong and Hubei Provinces. A series of
agreement on the use of Big Data in
preventing infectious diseases with the AI products, care.
Ghana Health Service. Attendees at ai, developed by
the signing ceremony in Accra, Ghana, YITU Healthcare
included Yoon Jong-Jin, KT’s senior can be used to
executive vice president in charge diagnose cancer
of public relations and Dr Anthony and collect big data.
Nsiah Asare, director-general of Ghana Based on several
Health Service (GHS). KT’s disease years of practice,
prevention system analyzes location- a CT-based lung
based information including roaming cancer detection
data that it collects, uses the data to and screening
guide its customers on preventing system has the
epidemics, and builds a monitoring abilities to support
system that helps health authorities doctors at different hospitals in China by watching CT scans,
assess infection risk at the initial stage making diagnoses and producing structured reporting
of an outbreak. Based on the project’s automatically. From May to the end of July, 2018, a total of
success, KT is seeking collaboration 10 residents in Zhuhai and Yufan districts in Guangzhou,
with foreign governments and Guangdong Province were diagnosed with lung cancer by this
international organizations on the use AI technology. Supported by the National Health and Family
of Big Data and information technology Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China (CPC)
in preventing the spread of infectious and the Ministry of Finance, the project of early detection of
diseases. cancer in urban areas of China has been listed as a focal point
with the nation’s major public health services.

Alibaba, PolyU to spearhead AI research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic and other overseas cities. The two findings that will ultimately
University (PolyU) and Alibaba parties will further explore the support the development of
Cloud, the cloud computing arm opportunity for setting up a joint the ecosystem and benefit the
of Alibaba Group, have signed a research centre to advance AI wider community. PolyU and
Memorandum of Understanding research, including fundamental Alibaba Cloud hope to develop a
(MoU) to strengthen their research, applied research and series of advanced and impactful
cooperation in Artificial commercialisation of research AI-application technologies.
Intelligence (AI) research, Initiatives that have already been
particularly focusing on the area of identified include helping to lower
smart healthcare. The two parties medical expenses, reducing the
hope to translate research findings chance of medical malpractice,
into real applications which can assisting in the automation
be initially adopted in Hong Kong of diagnostic procedures and
as a pilot and then rolled out to providing more personalised
the rest of the Greater Bay Area medication services for patients.

COMPANY NEWS 11

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Kadimastem WuXi AppTec opens
Medical Device testing centre
to receive
WuXi AppTec has recently opened system of WuXi AppTec’s United
research grant its Laboratory Testing Division’s
new Medical Device Testing States-based Medical Device
for diabetes Centre in Suzhou, China. This
marks the full implementation of Testing Centre, the new centre
treatment WuXi AppTec’s medical device
testing capabilities in the Chinese will provide comprehensive
Israeli biotechnology market, which works with its
company Kadimastem has existing United States-based medical device testing services
announced the approval medical device testing centers
by the European Union in St Paul and Atlanta to form a that are in compliance with
and the Israel Innovation globally integrated medical device
Authority, to receive a joint testing platform to serve medical international quality standards.
research grant under the device customers worldwide.
Eurostars programme, for The new medical device testing Its testing services will include
the clinical development of centre operates in 15,000 square
the company’s technology meters facility in Suzhou. Through biomaterials analysis, toxicology,
for the treatment of the transfer of the capabilities,
diabetes, together with operation and quality management biocompatibility, risk assessment,
the medical device
developed by Defymed. product aseptic design
Kadimastem is developing
an innovative cell therapy microbiology, physical testing of
for diabetes by producing
functional cells capable of packaging and shelf life, product
producing and releasing
insulin according to blood batch release testing and more.
sugar levels. Defymed has
developed MailPan, a Bio- The new center will enable medical
Artificial Pancreas device
designed, using suitable device companies worldwide to
cells such as Kadimastem’s
cells, to treat diabetes in bring the leading medical and
patients without the use
of immunosuppressants. health products to patients in
The company has signed an
agreement with Defymed China and around the world.
on June 14, 2018 on the
feasibility of a combined Alvotech, Fuji Pharma partner
solution for the treatment for developing biosimilars
of diabetes. The grant
will enable the expansion Alvotech and Fuji Pharma in Alvotech’s capital structure. The
of the collaborative recently announced that the two partnership is based on shared
activity between the two companies are entering into an values and a joint commitment to
companies. The emphasis exclusive partnership for the drive positive change for patients
is on completing the commercialization by Fuji Pharma around the world. In partnering
regulatory requirements of Alvotech’s biosimilar portfolio with Fuji Pharma, Alvotech will
necessary to complete the in Japan. Under the partnership, gain access to Japan’s fast-growing
development of the joint Alvotech will be responsible biosimilars market, forecasted to
product to the stage of for development and supply of grow as much as 35 per cent CAGR
initiation of a clinical trial. multiple high value biosimilar over the next years. Fuji Pharma,
assets from its current product established in 1965, will use its
pipeline, while Fuji Pharma will strong local expertise as it goes
be responsible for registration about commercializing Alvotech’s
and commercialization of these portfolio.
assets in Japan. Alvotech’s
biosimilar portfolio includes
high value products used in
advanced therapies of oncology,
ophthalmology and autoimmune
disease that generated over $32
billion in global sales in 2017. The
partnership has been made with
a view to establishing a long-term
relationship that also gives Fuji
Pharma the opportunity to invest

12 FINANCE NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

GHIT Fund to Mundipharma inks $600M
deal with Kolon Life Sciences
invest $4.6M
Mundipharma, a well-known name payments of around 537.7 billion
for projects in the pharmaceutical market has won. The company is eligible to
signed a major deal with Kolon receive royalties on sales. The
on drug Life Sciences to bring Invossa, contract lasts for 15 years following
the world’s first gene therapy for Invossa’s launch in Japan. Invossa
development knee osteoarthritis to Japan. At is an intra-articular injection
an impressive $600 million, this that is a non-surgical treatment
Japan headquartered agreement gives exclusive rights option to treat the knee disorder.
Global Health Innovative to Mundipharma to develop, Based on US phase 2 clinical trials
Technology (GHIT) Fund market, and distribute Invossa and phase 3 trials in Korea, the
has announced a total in Japan which has the oldest therapy demonstrated sustained
of 520 million yen ($4.6 population in the world. In return, pain reduction and functional
million) to support four the Korean drug maker will receive improvement of articular joint
partnerships to develop non-refundable upfront fees of 30 for one year following a single
new life saving drugs billion won and potential milestone injection.
and vaccines for malaria,
tuberculosis, dengue Merchavia signs MoU for
and leishmaniasis. This investment in medical cannabis sector
includes three new
projects and one that Merchavia Holdings and Investments, an Israeli investment company
will receive continued specializing in early-stage life science sector companies, announced
funding. The project on that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding
dengue is in collaboration (MoU) in an Israeli company developing a medical device that will
with Nagasaki
University, National allow the measured and precise
Institute of Infectious consumption of medical cannabis,
Diseases (NIID), according to a pre-defined
VLP Therapeutics, dosage and without the need
Johns Hopkins of heating. According to the
University (JHU), MoU, the company will invest a
Latham BioPharm total of $400,000 in exchange
Group (Latham); the for shares representing about
leishmaniasis project 20 per cent on a fully diluted
is teamed up with The basis. This step is part of the
University of Tokyo, implementation of the company’s
Infectious Disease business strategy to invest in
Research Institute breakthrough technologies, with
(IDRI), International major worldwide potential and in high growth markets. As part of this
Centre for Diarrheal strategy, and following the company’s announcement one month ago,
Disease Research, about its intention to begin investing in companies in the Cannabis
Bangladesh; for the field, when the deal becomes a binding agreement, Merchavia will
malaria project, The invest for the first time in the aforementioned company.
University of Tokyo,
Medicines for Malaria
Venture is the partner;
and the project on
tuberculosis is in
collaboration with
Fujifilm, Global Alliance
for TB Drug Development
(TB Alliance).

START-UP NEWS 13

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Chinese biotech startup raises $394M

Chinese biotech startup rules introduced by Hong immuno-oncology drugs and
Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Kong’s stock exchange in drugs targeting metabolic and
has raised $394 million April allowing listings from inflammation or autoimmune
after pricing its Hong pre-revenue biotechs, as the diseases. The startup expects
Kong initial public offering bourse competes to attract to launch its first drugs
(IPO) at the bottom of a startups. Junshi Biosciences commercially in 2019 and
marketed range. The firm has a pipeline of 13 biologic 2020, including toripalimab, a
aims to take advantage of drug candidates including monoclonal antibody.

Aurum Ventures, C-CAMP, AUM
Direct Insurance Biosciences to develop
invest in KidneyCure anti-cancer drugs

Israel based KidneyCure Ltd, a biotech company The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms
developing a novel cell-therapy technology for (C-CAMP), India’s premier bio-innovation hub
treating advanced chronic kidney disease, is has signed an agreement with AUM Biosciences,
expanding its circle of investors. The startup a Singapore based biotechnology company to
has completed a round of financing from strengthen its focus on the pre-clinical development
Aurum Ventures, a venture capital firm, and of small-molecules as anti-cancer drugs. The
Direct Insurance Financial Investments. The agreement recognises AUM as one of CCAMP’s first
international incubatees. Under this collaboration,
new investors C-CAMP will provide AUM with access to ongoing
join KidneyCure’s oncology research and drug development in the
strong team of Indian biotechnology arena through its existing
existing investors networks, and will pair that with AUM’s rich
including Jonathan experience in early drug development. CCAMP
Leitersdorf, Prof. will also provide AUM with assistance in IP filing,
John Finberg and MTA agreements etc. By tapping on each party’s
Gilad Altshuler strengths, this symbiotic partnership hopes to
Holdings. The advance India-
investment from Aurum Ventures and Direct discovered and
Insurance brings the total amount raised by developed small
KidneyCure to $4 million. Aurum provides molecules as
KidneyCure and its board with a strong drugs for cancer
professional track record and knowledge of the therapy for
relevant industry. The new funds from Aurum patients in need
and Direct Insurance will enable the startup to across the world.
accelerate the R&D process and meet the goal The partnership
of completing all regulatory requirements to creates an avenue
bring it to the start of clinical trials. KidneyCure for Early Phase commercial exit for C-CAMP’s
is developing cell-based personalized medicine existing startups in the oncology space that share
therapy designed to compensate for renal AUM’s mandate and vision by making way to license
cell depletion by administrating autologous, out their technologies. AUM has committed to offer
revitalized renal progenitor cells. Upon its support to C-CAMP’s existing start-ups, in line
administration, these cells are expected to with Start-up India and Skill India initiatives by the
significantly improve kidney function, prevent Indian government. AUM Biosciences offers world-
the formation of fibrotic renal tissue and delay class drug development and regulatory strategies
the progression of the disease. The major benefit designed to rapidly move candidate molecules along
is expected to be a substantial delay in the need the drug development pathway.
for dialyses and kidney transplantation.

14 START-UP NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

HuiyiHuiying raises funds OncoStem
for innovative AI applications diagnostics
receives
HuiyiHuiying (HY), a leading medical imaging artificial intelligence (AI) accreditation
company in China, recently announced the previous close of a strategic from CAP
investment led by Intel Capital with participation of Beijing Singularity
Power Investment Fund (SPC), marking the first investments by the OncoStem Diagnostics, an
firms in the medical AI sector in oncology focused company
China. HY will use the funding based in India that enables
proceeds to support its business personalised breast cancer
development, product innovation treatment, has been
and talent recruitment initiatives. awarded accreditation from
HY is a medical imaging AI company the College of American
committed to implementing Pathologists (CAP) for its
innovative computer vision and deep laboratory in Bengaluru,
learning technologies in the medical India. CAP accreditation is
sector. The company has achieved awarded to laboratories that
rapid growth since its establishment meet the highest standards
in 2015 and has received investments of quality, accuracy and
from CDH, Delta Capital, Bluerun Ventures and Yield Capital. HY is consistency. The College
collaborating with more than 800 medical institutions in China in of American Pathologists
clinical applications and scientific research projects, including the (CAP) is a leading US
Chinese PLA General Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, based organization of
Beijing Friendship Hospital and several medical associations. The board-certified pathologists
company is expanding its business into overseas markets including the that serves patients,
United States, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Europe. HY and Intel pathologists, and the public
previously established a joint AI laboratory and this new investment by fostering and advocating
from Intel Capital further extends their collaboration. excellence in the practice of
pathology and laboratory
MonoStereo 3D makes MIS medicine worldwide. CAP’s
easier with depth perception accreditation programme
is widely considered the
Taiwanese start-up MedicalTek surgeon at very different leader in laboratory quality
has developed the world’s first operating environments. Its assurance. Designed to
and only endoscope visualization newly developed MonoStereo go well beyond regulatory
system, MonoStereo 3D, with 3D is a fusion of advanced 3D compliance, the programme
easy-set, easy-alter adjustable technology. It allows hospitals helps laboratories achieve
3D effects which overcomes and clinics to have a 3D the highest standards of
the limitations of conventional visualization surgery with a excellence to positively
3D systems, providing a new minimized equipment transition impact patient care.
perspective on surgical imaging. cost. Due to the compatibility, OncoStem’s CanAssist Breast
3D visualization provides a better MonoStereo functions well is a proteomic based test
image to Minimally Invasive with hundreds of rigid, flexible that assesses the expression
Surgery (MIS) with depth and others endoscopes, there of metastasis-related
perception. Even better solution, is both no need to buy the new biomarkers to predict the
according to MedicalTek, is that ones, nor to throw pre-existing probability of recurrence of
the 3D image with adjustable endoscope, camera, and monitor invasive breast carcinoma in
disparity, which provides the away. It is a seamless connection, early stage ER+/Her2- breast
customized 3D effects to serve without any workflow change cancer patients.
the very different eye movement during the surgery, according to
and visual perception of each MedicalTek.

WORLD NEWS 15

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Amgen, Molecular Partners announce Merck
collaboration in Immuno-Oncology
collaborates to
Amgen and Molecular Partners AG, and commercialize its proprietary
a clinical-stage biotech company DARPin pipeline products in develop vaccines
pioneering the use of DARPin combination with MP0310.
therapeutics, have announced a Molecular Partners will receive an against dengue
collaborationandlicenseagreement upfront payment of $50 million
for the clinical development and and is eligible to receive up to $497 Merck, known as MSD
commercialization of MP0310 million in development, regulatory outside the United States
(FAP x 4-1BB). MP0310 is a and commercial milestone and Canada, and Instituto
preclinical molecule designed to payments, as well as double- Butantan, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
locally activate immune cells in digit, tiered royalties up to the a non-profit producer of
the tumor by binding to FAP on high teens. The parties will share immunobiologic products
tumor stromal cells (localizer) the clinical development costs in for Brazil have announced
and co-stimulating T cells via defined percentages for the first a collaboration agreement
4-1BB (immune modulator). three indications subject to certain to develop vaccines to
Under the terms of the agreement, conditions. For all additional protect against dengue virus
Amgen obtains exclusive global clinical trials, Amgen is responsible disease, the mosquito-borne
development and commercial rights for all development costs. infection. Instituto Butantan
for MP0310. The parties will jointly and Merck have licensed
evaluate MP0310 in combination certain rights from National
with Amgen`s oncology Institute of Allergy and
pipeline products, including its Infectious Diseases (NIAID),
investigational BiTE (bispecific T part of the United States
cell engager) molecules. Under the National Institutes of Health
collaboration, Molecular Partners (NIH), for the development
retains certain rights to develop of live attenuated tetravalent
vaccines (LATV). Instituto
AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK Butantan’s dengue vaccine
launch Functional Genomics Centre candidate, TV003, is
currently being evaluated
AstraZeneca has announced a new collaboration with Cancer Research in a large Phase 3 study
UK to launch a centre of excellence in genetic screening, cancer in Brazil. Under the
modelling and big data processing aimed at accelerating the discovery agreement, Merck and
of new cancer medicines. The Functional Genomics Centre will further Instituto Butantan have
develop CRISPR technology to better understand the biology of cancer, agreed to collaborate to
creating biological models share clinical data and
that may be more reflective of other learnings from their
human disease, and advancing respective dengue vaccine
computational approaches to development programs,
better analyse big datasets. both derived from licensed
These approaches are designed materials from the NIAID.
to inform new druggable targets Instituto Butantan will
in oncology by using clinical receive a $26 million upfront
insights to better understand payment from Merck and is
tumour disease and resistance eligible to receive up to $75
mechanisms. The Functional million for the achievement
Genomics Centre will be located of certain milestones
at the Milner Therapeutics Institute at the University of Cambridge. related to the development
AstraZeneca and Cancer Research UK will have independent use of the and commercialization of
Centre’s facilities, and their scientists will work alongside each other to Merck’s investigational
facilitate collaboration, technical innovation and scientific progress. vaccine as well as potential
royalties on sales.

16 COVER STORY

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HEALTH 4.0
BOOSTS ASIA MEDTECH,
BIO-PHARMA IN 2019
Asia is a region of stark contrasts, with
Asia is a region of stark contrasts, with approximately 4.5 billion people – some 60
approximately 4.5 billion people – some 60 per cent of the world’s population – living in
per cent of the world’s population – living in countries with a rich diversity of economic, political,
countries with a rich diversity of economic, and demographic constituents. With its 48 countries
evolving (often rapidly) their political, economic, and
political, and demographic constituents. healthcare systems, Asia can be a puzzling region
In the coming year Asia will become a to operate in, presenting a steady flow of surprises
(and, frequently, challenges). Cut through the noise,
major hub for MedTech and Bio-Pharma though, and McKinsey finds that Asia is on the rise
activities for both local as well multinational in MedTech just as it is in other industries – indeed,
Asia today already represents 23 per cent of the
companies. Biotech companies in global market. In the coming years Asia will become
the region are also actively partnering a major hub for MedTech activities for both local as
with leading global biopharmaceutical well multinational companies.

companies on both the R&D McKinsey observed in its report “The rise and rise
and commercial fronts. of MedTech in Asia” that the strong fundamentals of
Asset-level partnership rising healthcare demand and wealth in the region
remains very active will override short-term dislocations at country or
during 2019. According sub-regional level, which are bound to happen. The
region is also increasingly recognized as a major
to McKinsey Asia has the source of product technology innovation as well as for
potential to leapfrog in its innovative business models and unique healthcare
ecosystem. Nevertheless, success in Asia does not
the digital-health segment. come easy – on the contrary, it requires agility,
Asia has an opportunity to innovation, and long-term commitment to stay
take the lead in developing abreast of trends in this fiercely competitive market.
big data/advanced analytics In spite of pricing pressure and reimbursement
solutions and technology environment which provide certain challenges,

platforms, with the Five key trends shaping the Asia market
potential to contribute to
● CFDA reform in full stride in China; tsunami
the global healthcare of new-product launches expected
ecosystem.
● Price reform in Japan—affecting both on-
patent and off-patent products

● Emerging funding pools in China and
Southeast Asia

● Rise of local biotech in China
● Acceleration of digital and advanced analytics

in healthcare

Source: McKinsey

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MedTech likely to see growth in the coming year due 5 core principles for effective
to rapidly expanding overall healthcare coverage in leadership development
the region.
● Focus on the critical skills and shifts that drive
MedTech companies are inherently product disproportionate value, not everything at
innovators. Cutting-edge innovation is unequivocally once.
seen as a key success factor for multinational
companies across the region – driving business ● Capture full value through blended learning
growth, brand image, and recognition with key journeys that combine digital content, in-
opinion leaders. person forums, one-on-one or group coaching,
and “stretch” pull-through projects that
The growth of MedTech in Asia has been largely deliver on business priorities.
driven by a single commercial model: growing the
sales force plus expansion and heavy reliance on ● Design programs that leverage the science of
distributor networks. In many of Asia’s key markets, adult learning and behaviour change. Create
those days are gone and the focus is rapidly shifting immersive experiences with virtual reality,
towards more effective selling, diversification of gamification, and social learning; customize
capabilities across the commercial, service, and content and delivery to the learner.
clinical range of roles, and gaining back control
over customers from distributors who have evolved ● Tie learning objectives and outcomes to
far beyond their core distribution capabilities and formal talent mechanisms to embed and
effectively control most commercial activities. sustain behavioural and mind-set changes.

McKinsey also pointed out that the policy makers ● Measure business and organization-
in many markets are taking an interest, too, and wide impacts resulting from leadership-
arguably have moved faster than the industry on development efforts and then build on
several fronts – for example, the role of distributors them, as one would with any major business
and the value they capture in the healthcare system initiative.
(widely seen as disproportionately high) has led
to restrictive policies in China (the so-called “two- Source: McKinsey report on “Developing tomorrow’s leaders in life sciences”
invoice policy”). Decision making is moving from
clinicians towards more institutionalized processes as have experimented with this for a while and have
is the case with more mature markets. New forms of developed a wide range of models that leverage
reimbursement (DRGs) and data-driven approaches digital ecosystems. The leading names in the industry
are fundamentally at odds with a traditional will look for startups who having been focusing
commercial model that puts physician relationships on data and the potential of health economics
at the centre. and outcomes research (HEOR) and platforms of
advanced analytics (AA) and artificial intelligence
The digitization of Asia’s societies is progressing (AI) to drive local value.
at unprecedented speed. In terms of scale and the
impact of digital technology on everyday life, Asia – At the same time MedTech companies are facing
led by China – has eclipsed every western market, pressures as healthcare systems mature and payers
including the United States. With digitization institutionalize. Technology players are entering the
pervading every aspect of society, healthcare healthcare space, expanding the healthcare value
should be no exception. There is clear evidence that chain beyond diagnostics and treatment, and defining
physicians are spending increasing time gathering new points of value along the value chain.
information online (specifically, via mobile). Patients
are turning to digital channels to gather health- Traditional MedTech product manufacturers
related information. Asian digital behemoths, as well must therefore rethink their role and the way they
as specialized digital healthcare players, are already deliver value to the healthcare ecosystem. McKinsey
building an ecosystem of connectivity, information, believes that a big part of winning models will
and services that extends, in the example of be the ability to partner with other players in the
China, to virtually every physician, consumer, and healthcare ecosystem. Especially in times where
patient in the country. It is thus unsurprising that asset valuations make traditional M&A transactions
manufacturers are embracing this digital landscape hard to underwrite, partnership strategies should be
in multiple ways: as a channel, as a means to educate devised with equal rigor. This will offer a plethora of
at scale, in order to listen into customer sentiment, opportunities to increase reach and leverage in the
and so on. Indeed, pharmaceutical companies healthcare ecosystem while closing or circumventing
an organization’s capability gaps.

Many of Asia’s healthcare systems are doubling

18 COVER STORY

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down on healthcare coverage and access. At the consumers.
same time, they are taking more interest in the value
they get for the outlay of public money. In Japan, Bio-Pharmaceutical space
the government has pledged to tie pricing and
reimbursement more closely to outcomes. In China, McKinsey continue to observe in its report
the government is leading a major push from acute “Asia on the move: Five trends shaping the Asia
care towards prevention as well as towards case- biopharmaceutical market” that enthusiasm for the
based payments and DRGs as major reimbursement biopharmaceutical sector in Asia has been flat, due
models. In Indonesia, government has instituted a in part to China’s market-access blockade, Japan’s
capitation system that pays the equivalent of $ 1 a spending controls, and deceleration in India and
month per person to healthcare facilities in order to Southeast Asia. Recent changes have reignited
provide primary care coverage for patients. Australia
is among the leading systems in the world regarding «
health economics research and related funding
models. In brief, Asia is moving towards more Sakshi Sikka,
sophisticated ways to manage healthcare funding. Pharmaceuticals
On the back of digitization and rapidly improving & Healthcare
data transparency at scale, some of these markets Analyst, Fitch
might soon surpass western systems in their ability to Solutions
aggregate and analyze healthcare data.
“BIOSIMILARS
Many MNCs are realizing premium prices for INDUSTRY
their products based on physicians’ and patients’ GETS MORE
belief and experience that they offer superior quality PROMINENCE”
and safety. This is bound to change – increasingly,
customers and regulators will ask for conclusive Compared with 2018, we hold a slightly
evidence of clinical as well as economic outcomes less positive outlook for the global
to justify pricing and use of products. Once systems pharmaceutical market in 2019. There is
start to move, the shift could be both profound and a solid macroeconomic climate and moderate
rapid. Companies should invest now in generating political stability, which will enable many
evidence that demonstrates the value of their governments to raise spending on medical
products to patients, providers, and healthcare infrastructure, services and products. Global
systems. Only then will they be prepared for future pharmaceutical expenditure is forecast to
moves in pricing and reimbursement. Even better, increase by 5.3 per cent in 2019, which is well
companies that invest in demonstrating value may above the 3.1 per cent expected growth in GDP.
be able to shape future policies rather than simply
reacting to them. The main reason why the outlook
is less bright is the resurgence of the
McKinsey further pointed out that as life sciences debate around high drug prices in the US,
move into a new era, companies understand that which consequentially impacts the global
the future holds the promise of bringing more value pharmaceutical market.
than ever to patients and society at large. Delivering
on this promise will depend largely on whether they Drugmakers are also facing increasingly
can unlock the potential of their future leaders, protectionist policies in emerging markets.
and that requires commitment and discipline These policies can be divided into localisation
starting at the top. A new competitive landscape requirements for foreign firms and investment
is emerging in life sciences as demographic shifts, incentives for domestic firms. Multinational
mounting cost pressures, advancing digitization,
emerging scientific breakthroughs, and powerful
new competitors are reshaping the sector. Successful
life-science organizations will look very different in
the future than they do today. McKinsey pointed out
that they likely will be smaller; more specialized,
automated, digital, and agile in their operations;
more sophisticated in their commercial approaches;
and more integrated with providers, partners, and

COVER STORY 19

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interest in the region, with important implications for being introduced and further developed—although
pharma executives. the emergence of the public funding pools has been
accompanied by pricing pressure and restrictions in
The pharmaceutical companies in China have an attempt by governments to maintain control of
started to experiment with new models to improve budgets. The governments in the region have come
patients’ access to medicines. With the positive up with funding pools which are in various stages of
trends and the improved outlook on access in China, implementation.
especially for innovative products, China remains an
important growth engine for many pharmaceutical A combination of support from policy makers,
companies. The reimbursement environment in an influx of high-quality talent, and capital injection
Southeast Asia is evolving, with universal coverage has seen China’s innovation system start to come

pharmaceutical firms must adapt their market treatment. This cellular therapy is another step to
entry strategy to reflect each country’s individual personalized medicine, and it offers improved clinical
protectionist stance. Of the major pharmaceutical outcomes compared with previous regimes. CAR-T
markets, we expect that Turkey will post the fastest immunotherapy is however very expensive, both
growth. However, this is mainly due to inflation, and in terms of manufacturing and the price charged
due to currency weakness, growth in US dollar terms to payers. Moreover, only a limited number of
is negative. Likewise, otherwise very good growth in patients can benefit. This presents challenges to
India, China and Russia is also lower in US dollar drug companies developing them, and problems
terms. The opposite dynamic will be seen in Brazil national health systems and insurance companies
and Mexico. Meanwhile, as has been the case for that have to pay for them. Innovation within the
several years, pharmaceutical companies should only CAR-T sector is rapid, and new treatments are being
expect low-single digit growth in Western Europe, as replaced by improved versions rapidly. The pace of
governments continue to restrict public spending on change is so high that some new treatments are not
healthcare. commercialized for the full term of their intellectual
property protection.
Key Trends
The global biosimilars industry will become much
An increasing number of innovative more prominent over the next few years. We expect
biopharmaceuticals are reaching the market, and this further competition in the European biosimilars
is shown by the number of new drugs approved by market. In the past two years alone, a total of 31
the US FDA. More than a quarter of new drugs are biosimilars were approved, which is significantly
biologics, and this is a much higher share of overall more than the 21 that were already on the market.
new drug approvals than a decade ago.
More biosimilars will lead to lower prices and
Nearly 50 new drugs are expected to approved by therefore less expenditure for healthcare systems.
the US FDA in 2018, which will be the highest level Although savings will not be huge. Doctors and
in nearly thirty years. All of these new medicines patients will also become more accepting of these
were determined to be either safer or more effective products. We note that the biosimilars market in
than existing treatments, and therefore satisfying an the US is less advanced. Interchangeability between
unmet medical need. However, most of the new drugs biosimilars and originator biologics is not yet
approved globally address small patient populations, possible, as it is in Europe. But once this happens in
and, despite these medicines having sometimes very the US, sales of biosimilars will increase dramatically.
high prices, this doesn’t always translate in sizeable R&D and commercialisation of biosimilars is
revenues or even an attractive return on investment. challenging and costly. Scientific techniques are
advanced and aggressive marketing is required.
Biopharmaceuticals are often more targeted than
small molecules, and can have an improved efficacy Market acceptance is now the next stage in
and safety profile compared with the medicines they the evolution of the biosimilars landscape. Policy-
are displacing from the market. A key downside makers, payers and prescribers will become the main
with biopharmaceuticals is a more complicated determinants in whether the sector has long-term
manufacturing process, and they need to be injected, commercial viability. A major recent development
which can be inconvenient for patients. was the approval of biosimilars for AbbVie’s Humira,
the world’s best-selling medicine. Over the next few
The biopharmaceutical industry has evolved years, sales of these Humira biosimilars will generate
significantly in recent years, and the introduction of hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue.
CAR-T immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer

20 COVER STORY

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Global Health Care- Ratings trends and outlook 2019 - S&P Global Ratings

Mix of ratings shifting portfolio of health services companies. Typically,
decidedly lower spec grade we assign very low ratings to these companies,
The health care ratings universe is decidedly contributing to further degradation of the ratings
non-investment grade, with ‘B’ category credits distribution of our health services portfolio.
dominating. This varies across subsectors, with
health care service companies predominantly at Big Pharma and biotech remain solid,
the low end of the rating spectrum. Pharmaceutical but specialty and generics struggling
and medical device industries continue to have The outlook on the pharmaceutical industry is
a much higher representation within investment negative, mainly due to continued pricing pressure
grade, with some 60% of companies rated ‘BBB-’ on both branded and generic pharmaceuticals and
and higher. We expect continued deterioration in the possibility of major debt financed acquisitions
health care ratings overall. Downgrades continue to at big pharma and biotech to address product
outpace upgrades, and we expect payor pressures pipelines. Pricing remains top-of-mind for the
to intensify over the coming years, especially pharmaceutical industry, as managed care/
as payors form powerful vertical combinations. payors and generic buying consortia continue to
We have also seen an influx of new ratings as exert pricing pressure on big pharma/biotech and
the evolving marketplace, and abundant access generic drug makers. Many branded companies
to capital markets, provide an environment ripe have reported minimal net pricing increases, if not
for new market entrants, including those that declines, and generic drug makers are experiencing
address the growing demands for efficiency and greater-than-typical pricing deterioration. The
optimization. These companies are shifting the prospective mergers of CVS/Aetna and Cigna/
rating distribution of our portfolio of health Express Scripts, the continued high-level populist-
services companies because we typically assign very driven discussion on pharma pricing, and concerns
low ratings to these small narrowly focused and about opioid-related litigation add further
highly leveraged companies, contributing to further uncertainty. Although the generics subsector
degradation of the ratings distribution of our health remains under pressure, we believe it has lessened,
services portfolio. as price erosion is beginning to stabilize, the buying
consortia have more or less consolidated, generic
Services outlook remains negative players have resumed consolidation or rationalized
Our outlook on health service companies remains their portfolios, and the U.S. Food and Drug
negative. The industry continues to experience Administration (FDA) has made progress through its
chronic reimbursement pressure, an accelerating approval backlog. Companies have also begun to exit
focus on value-based metrics, and greater payor the industry. Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. bought
efforts to control utilization. This has led to weaker Impax Laboratories Inc., Novartis AG announced it
patient volume trends that have contributed to is selling its U.S. oral solid dose generics business,
companies’ struggles, placing pressure on ratings. and Perrigo Co. PLC is planning to sell its generics
The evolving marketplace has also given rise to new franchise. Still, we do not believe that pricing will
market entrants that address the growing demands return to previous levels soon, and major players,
for efficiency and optimization. However, these such as Teva Pharmaceuticals and Mylan N.V., are
companies are changing the profile of our rated working to de-lever their balance sheets.

together, with many quality local biotech players companies on both the R&D and commercial fronts.
emerging. Among local biotech companies in China, Asset-level partnership remains very active.
there are approximately 800 innovative molecules
in the pipeline, among which 70–80 are in phase McKinsey pointed out that Asia has the potential
III. Among these late-stage assets, many are aiming to leapfrog in the digital-health segment. Asia has
for applications beyond China. Chinese companies an opportunity to take the lead in developing big
are now conducting trials for a quarter of their data/advanced analytics solutions and technology
innovative assets beyond China, either alone or platforms, with the potential to contribute to the
through partnerships. Biotech companies are actively global healthcare ecosystem.
partnering with leading global biopharmaceutical
Narayan Kulkarni
[email protected]



22 BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

“GUJARAT Government of Gujarat is very
IS PUTTING A LOT proactive and has identified
OF EMPHASIS ON biotechnology as a knowledge
SELF-EMPLOYMENT based sector, to contribute to
the growth of economy. The
& PROMOTING ecosystem of biotechnology
ENTREPRENEURSHIP in Gujarat is growing very
fast with 50 per cent increase
DEVELOPMENT IN in biotech companies in
BIOTECHNOLOGY” less than a decade. Today
Gujarat is amongst India’s
top 5 biotech destinations.
In an interaction with
BioSpectrum, Vijay Rupani,
Chief Minister, Government

of Gujarat shared his plans
and incentives the
state has been
offering to create
employment
opportunities for
more than one lakh
human resources
in Biotechnology
sector.

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com 23

What are your plans to establish Gujarat as a companies, which serves as a strong platform for biotech
preferred & globally – competitive destination lead enterprises. Strong line up of top pharma companies are
for manufacturing of Biotechnology products supported in their endeavour to diversify into biotech products.
and services and to reach a turnover target of Rs. 15,000 Likewise, the state is investing in Agri-Biotech and livestock
crore (Rs. 150 billion) from Rs. 4000 crore (Rs. 40 billion)? biotech for creation of IP that can be commercialised.
Government of Gujarat, as part of its journey
towards sustainable long-term growth and How do you want to create a professionally
inclusive development, has been organizing competent manpower pool of 25,000 in the
Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit from 2003, which is a bi-annual Biotechnology sector in the state?
event. This is an inclusive event covering all the business The state in it’s resolve to develop effective human
sectors of the state. It connects Gujarat’s businesses with the resource of biotechnology in the state has
world, with participation of foreign delegations, which sign established Gujarat Biotechnology University. This
Memorandums of Understanding with the state. Biotechnology university will be a world class research focused academic
has been identified as a potential sector for investment under institution and a foundry of translational knowledge in
Vibrant Gujarat with realisation of highest number of the partnership with institutions of national and global repute,
projects. Investment of more than Rs. 4600 crore (Rs. 46 billion) which will train and prepare biotech scientists in cutting edge,
is in pipeline while Rs. 2500 crore (Rs. 25 billion) has been product focused research to create and deliver a strong
already realized. With all these developments I am sure the pipeline of innovative products for future India. It will ensure a
state will reach the target claimed under the Biotechnology continuous flow of professionally trained manpower and will
Policy. function as a leading resource centre for knowledge and
The state government has announced new Biotechnology development in the areas of biotechnology and allied sciences.
Policy, 2016-2021. This new policy is a proactive measure to The state has a rich history of universities and institutes, which
provide tangible incentives for setting up new parks, units, have been contributing to education in different fields of
incubators, finishing schools, start-ups. The Biotechnology science and technology. These include state and centre
Policy is a comprehensive document which addresses the supported universities, private and government colleges,
matters of financial support to research, human resource national institutes etc. Premier national institutes like National
and industry, through its six (6) sub schemes, which are the Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) and Central Salt and
foundation of any technology driven sector. The policy got into Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) have their bases
force in December, 2016 and started receiving applications in the state. New national institutes like National Institute of
from March, 2017. The policy has seen an investment Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and Indian
commitment of Rs. 1112.78 crore (Rs. 11.13 billion) from 62 Institute of Public Health (IIPH) have also formed their firm
applications. bases in the state, imparting education at par with national
Biotechnology promotion in the state has been a key institutes. The state’s Central University of Gujarat is building the
initiative of the state government and it established Gujarat base for academics in the state. The state is also home to
State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) in 2004. The activities approximately 100 different colleges and departments which
of the Mission expanded with leaps and bounds and in 2017 are involved in biotech education. These educational hot spots
two separate organizations were born from GSBTM, viz. Gujarat are currently producing 6000+ UGs/PGs and doctorates in
Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) and Savli Technology Biotechnology and allied areas, annually.
and Business Incubator (STBI). The state government has also carved out programmes
Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre has been for building professional skills in students, through its
established with a clear focus of Product/Technology biotechnology arm, Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission
development. The centre is working in the leading areas (GSBTM), which has been operating an Industrial Biotech
of product development, like RNA based therapeutic Training Programme (IBTP), to add the skills required for biotech
agents, DNA based diagnostics important for societal industry, post their Post Graduation.
health problems, Translational bioinformatics and Systems In addition, the policy provides support for developing
Biology for Environment and Industrial solutions and Marine new Finishing Schools with a capital and operational
Biotechnology. assistance. These finishing schools will have focus on providing
The government has established a Savli Technology and hands on skills to the students in areas of biotechnology where
Business Incubator, in Savli, near Vadodara, sprawling over an the industry sees a lacuna. In addition, GSBTM is a ‘Research
area of 15,000 sq.ft. with sophisticated biotech instruments. Funding Agency’ itself, and regularly funds research projects to
This incubator supports start-ups with innovative ideas, and the academicians and researchers in Gujarat.
provides the ecosystem for growing the business. We also believe in importance of national level faculty
Gujarat has a natural strength of Pharmaceutical and Seed development institute and are planning to set-up one in

24 BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

coordination with Department of Biotechnology (DBT), also heavily investing in the knowledge sector of Science
Government of India. We are also working on creating a & Technology. Government has invested more than Rs.
biotechnology knowledge complex that will impart academic 1000 crore (Rs. 10 billion) in different sectors of Science &
programme with project development rigour. Technology, and this has caused a large platform development
in the state. State would see five Regional Science Museums
What kind of incentives the state has been (RSM), in the years to come. Three large science galleries, viz.
offering to the industry to create employment Aquatic Gallery, Robotics Gallery and Space Sciences Gallery
opportunities for more than one lakh human are under establishment, in the campus of Science City.
resources in Biotechnology sector by 2021? Science City has a sprawling campus of 107 hectares, which
One of the very purpose of creating the policy is to houses different science domes, which cater to awareness
increase employment opportunities in the state. generation in different fields of science. The Robotic Gallery will
The new policy has already started attracting have operational robots that will showcase interface of man-
attention from BT players for making investment plans in machine interaction across a multitude of interaction types
Gujarat. The policy supports newer units establishing for the through over 60 functional and non-functional robot types.
first time in Gujarat as well as existing units for expansion and/
or diversification. Increase in biotech units in the state will Gujarat’s pharmaceutical drive started in the early 20th
certainly increase the employment opportunities directly and century, with the establishment of India’s second oldest drug
indirectly. The Biotechnology Policy (2016-21) provides company, the Alembic Chemicals Works Co Ltd, in Vadodara
incentives for capital assistance for pilot production facility, city in 1907. In the last 10 years, Gujarat has witnessed a speedy
interest subsidy, stamp duty &registration fee, lease rental economic growth and owing to extensive industrialisation, the
subsidy, patent assistance etc. to start-ups. To boost the state’s economy grew by an average of 10 per cent every year.
start-up ecosystem new BT Incubation Centers are also The state has four pharmaceutical clusters, i.e. Ahmedabad,
incentivized under the policy. The research segment also Vadodara, Bharuch and Ankleshwar. These clusters export to
provides opportunities for employment and skill enhancement. the US, the European Union, the UK, Russia, Australia, African
Incentives on EPF contribution and skilling support to MSME countries and the Far East. The state has the presence of
employees are also a part of the BT policy. The government is national institutes like, National Institute of Occupational Health
also putting a lot of emphasis on self-employment and (NIOH), National Institute for Pharmaceutical Education and
promoting entrepreneurship development in biotechnology. Research (NIPER), Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research
Institute (CSMCRI) and Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH)
How much budget the state government and the Central University of Gujarat, which contribute to
has allocated to the biotechnology sector the trained human ware required for the field. Gujarat also
to build the brand in the global has a strong hold on the agriculture and dairy sector as well.
biotechnology market? Application of biotechnology in these sectors has been a key
The state government has made strategic moves to to large benefits to the sector and state. Gujarat’s agricultural
promote Science & Technology, under the visionary and allied sector has outshined its peers in the last decade by
leadership of former Chief Minister of Gujarat and clocking an average annual growth of 11 per cent. Non-food
present Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, the state created crops occupy a very key role in boosting the economic value
Department of Science and Technology. Further, Gujarat of the agricultural produce and biotech intervention in cotton
State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM), a brainchild is the right example to be cited. A healthy combination of
of Shri. Modi, was established in 2004, as the
nodal agency for overall development of private and public sector initiatives has ensured stable
biotechnology in the state. The state has agricultural growth in the state. The existing base
channelized approximately Rs. 102 crore (Rs. of Pharmaceuticals and Agriculture industries has
1.02 billion) into the biotech sector through served as the platform for giving the much required
GSBTM. Along with biotechnology, this thrust to the sector of biotechnology.
government is committed to strengthen all The state of Gujarat has been a progressive
knowledge-driven sectors like and open minded state, which has embraced
Information Technology, Electronics, technology as a foundation to its progress,
Physical and Chemical Sciences and which reflects from its performance in
due to continued commitment, the automobiles sector to oil and gas
in no time, Gujarat has reached sector to pharmaceuticals and
to Top 5 position in India. agriculture. We look forward to
The government is public-private partnerships
in biotechnology sector as
well.

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com 25

PROGRESSIVE GUJARAT-

SHOWCASING HOME Dr J. N. Singh,
GROWN TECHNOLOGIES Chief Secretary,
Government of Gujarat

Biotechnology is one of the world’s fastest growing Apart from these, people of the state also visit the summit in
technologies, registering a growth rate of about 10 per large numbers. The enthusiasm of the people of the state has
cent per annum. The global biotechnology revenues have made this summit a grand success. The 9th edition is due in
crossed $266 billion mark. Nationally, biotechnology has grown January, 2019, and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister of India
at a rate of 12 per cent over the last five years with average in the presence of Heads of States and Global Business Leaders. A
exports growing between 40-60 per cent, with a revenue special emphasis has been given on home grown technologies
generation of Rs. 28,185 crore (Rs. 281.85 billion) in 2014-15 for during this Vibrant Gujarat Summit, and an exclusive exhibition
India. By 2025, the biotechnology sector will be larger than $100 showcasing home grown technologies will be laid out. This
billion in India. would include technologies from the state and around the
country.
Biotechnology industry in Gujarat has a size of about Rs.
4000 crore (Rs. 40 billion). Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare sector The state has always aligned with the needs of the industrial
contributes a major share of the industry at 46 per cent (Rs. 1823 sector, with a special consideration towards technology driven
crore (Rs. 18.23 billion)) followed by Agriculture Biotechnology sectors like biotechnology. The state has come up with a
sector contributing about 21 per cent (Rs. 834 crore (Rs. 8.34 Biotechnology Policy 2016-21, which is specially focused towards
billion)). There are 154 registered biotechnology firms in Gujarat, boosting the industrial and research base of biotechnology in
out of which 21 firms have revenues ranging between Rs.
50 crore (Rs 500 million) and Rs. 500 crore (Rs. 5 billion). the state. With a comprehensive support to start-
For the past few years, the numbers of biotechnology ups, incubation, research units, finishing schools
companies in Gujarat have been increasing and existing industrial units, the policy has ramified
exponentially. into the crucks of biotech development. The policy
addresses the bottlenecks in the biotech sector that
In the month of January, every two years, the state have been felt by different group of stakeholders.
government organizes Vibrant Gujarat Global
Summit, which is one of its kind knowledge The policy gives incentives in terms of capital
sharing and business making platform in the assistance, grants, reimbursements of different
state. A government supported trade exposition duties and subsidies. The basic eligibility to avail
to promote business and commerce in the these supports has been kept according to
state is part of Vibrant Gujarat Summit. Apart
from all the other activities, this exposition national standards, to facilitate better outreach
sees signing of Memorandums of Understanding between the of the policy. A constant assessment of policy
state government and potential investors. Companies making implementation is done to ensure correct
investment commitments in the biotechnology sector has been interpretation and making the schemes available to a larger
performing excellently, with a success rate of 80 per cent. mass. The BT Policy provides assistance to start-ups, universities,
colleges institutes, MSMEs, etc. for applying for patents and
The Summit has evolved into a platform for brainstorming for securing their products and processes. The current policy
on agendas of global socio-economic development, in addition has provision for up to 50 per cent assistance on expenditure
to being a facilitator for knowledge sharing and forging effective incurred for filling patents to the tune of Rs. 10,00,000 (Rs.
partnerships. The last edition of this summit was held in January, 1 million) for national and Rs. 25,00,000 (Rs. 2.5 million) for
2017 witnessed participation from 25,000+ delegates from 100+ international patents during policy period. For start-ups the same
countries, including 4 Heads of States, Nobel Laureates, Captains assistance is available with enhanced ceiling of up to 75 per cent
of global industry and Thought Leaders and 355+ B2B meetings. of assistance.
In the year 2017 Department of Science & Technology

26 BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

(DST), Government of Gujarat brought in a major this philosophy, GBU will have a novel mechanism of knowledge
rearrangement, and created Gujarat Biotechnology delivery for its participants, the university has unique course
Research Centre (GBRC) and Savli Technology and works which will help in unleashing the inner inclinations of the
Business Incubator (STBI), as two autonomous student studying in the university. The course work is designed to
organizations to promote biotech development promote natural and self learning in the student, leading to better
in the state in a focused manner. The sectoral skilled and oriented post graduates churning out of the courses.
arrangement at GSBTM was modified, giving
emphasis on the basic developmental pillars, i.e. An exclusive effort to develop a world-class
Research and Development, Business Development and infrastructure for research has also been on cards of
Human Resource Development. The new arrangement lays
adequate emphasis on all the pillars of development to bring the state government. This resulted in establishment
enrichment of all the sectors of biotechnology. Apart from of Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC),
supporting research units through the policy, DST through its a high-end laboratory to undertake research
biotech promotion arm of GSBTM, supports translational research projects relevant to the state. GBRC is the ground
in the state through Research Support Scheme. Government for unique research areas in the state. With
of Gujarat has initiated Research Support Scheme, under government’s efforts and investments, GBRC will
which financial assistance is provided for various research work in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, biochips,
initiatives including support for Advanced Research high value enzymes etc. which will be important for
Centres, Centre of Excellence, Overseas Scientist Labs, solving state problems. With a combination of scientists from
Mission Mode Programs, Umbrella Programmes and different disciplines of biology, GBRC is putting up a team that
Research Projects. Since 2004, total 6 cycles of this can deliver time bound results for state problems. These teams
program are sanctioned, under which 133 Research are collaborating with scientists of other disciplines and other
projects are supported with a financial assistance institutes as well, to be able to attain it’s herculean goals. GBRC has
of Rs. 28.47 crore (Rs. 284.7 million) benefiting 19 constituted a Common Instrumentation Facility, which has been
Universities, 24 Colleges/ Institutions, 242 Investigators opened for the state at minimal fee. This will promote high-end
and 159 research fellows. Financial Assistance of Rs. 1.11 crore research in the state by making the facility for the potential
(Rs. 11.1 million) has also been provided for establishment of 12 researchers of the state. State is also trying to develop a
Bioinformatics labs and 4 supercomputing facilities in different special research center on Marine Biotechnology with
universities and research institutes, under which hardware support from Government of India.
and software has been provided for high end genomic and
proteomic analysis. Such schemes are not available in any other World class infrastructure is very critical for
state and has been found to boost research in the state. the development of ecosystem. The Government
of Gujarat through its nodal agency Gujarat
The state has established Gujarat Biotechnology University State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) has set
which will have world class research and up a Biotechnology Park at Savli Industrial Estate
academic facility. The current approach and at Vadodara to address the biotech industry’s need for
institutional framework in the state prepares specialized infrastructure and thereby encourage new biotech
biotechnologists based on a course work enterprises, accelerate commercialization of new technologies,
driven curriculum which in turn prepares the enable biotech organisations to forge alliances and enhance
students for industrial jobs. Applied technology competitiveness of biotech companies located in the State.
and product development focus at institutional level requires a Few of private players are also developing new biotechnology
very different approach in teaching methodology as well as in parks in the state supported by new biotechnology policy. The
curriculum and also requires an ecosystem approach. A strong Savli Technology and Business Incubator (STBI), in Savli, near
academic industry collaborative environment and continuous
innovations, entrepreneurial ecosystem and project based Vadodara, promotes biotech start-ups in the
learning are hallmarks of global institutions of repute which have state. The incubator is spread over an area
succeeded in driving innovations at their campuses. In line with of 15,000 sq.ft, EPIP Building of Savli GIDC
Estate, with sophisticated biotech instruments.
The incubator on today’s date has 100 per
cent occupancy, with innovative start-ups
germinating. Of these incubatees two have already shifted to
larger, self owned infrastructure, and one incubatee is in pipeline
to shift to commercial production.
Increasing numbers of industrial clusters and research
infrastructure will automatically help in strengthening the
biotechnology ecosystem in the state and will help in attracting
best brains across globe working for the State.

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com 27

GSBTM - ENHANCING Dhananjay Dwivedi,
STRATEGIES TO POSITION Secretary,

GUJARAT AS A GLOBAL - Department of
BT CENTRE FOR BUSINESS, Science & Technology,
Government of Gujarat
INNOVATION, AND TALENT

Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) is an 25 per cent of the operational expenditure as matching grants.
autonomous body of the Government of Gujarat, Provision for stamp duty registration and NA conversion
Department of Science & Technology (DST). GSBTM assistance along with Power Tariff subsidy and reimbursement
started its activities from last quarter of the year 2004. on electricity duty are also provisioned for incubators. The
GSBTM was established with the objective of facilitating start-ups will be provided up to Rs 10 lakh (Rs. 1 million) for
different pillars of biotechnology in the state. The innovative setting up pilot production facility. The support for 9 per
programmes of the Mission through interventions of cent interest subsidy, skill certification assistance, lease rental
Department of Science and Technology will pave the way for subsidy, patent support, stamp duty registration fee and NA
fast development of the state. conversion fees are also provisioned under BT policy. The

In the year 2014 start-up availing assistance
GSBTM established a Savli under BT policy will also have
Biotechnology Incubator opportunity to migrate as
(SBInc), which was made new BT unit after two years.
into an autonomous society,
Savli Technology and Also, Gujarat has always
Business Incubator (STBI), been high on infrastructure
to give thrust to Biotech development, and has the
Entrepreneurship and Start- basic trunk infrastructure
Ups. This incubator runs a in every corner of the state.
programme of Idea Doodle, Gujarat with it’s 6 per cent
which supports people to geographic area of the
tinker with their new ideas country, has over 5,000 km
for free, for three months. of rail, over 75,000 km of
This is charging the biotech entrepreneurship in the state. roads and over 2,200 km of
Government has also constituted a Biotech Venture Fund gas-grid network. Gujarat has 2 LNG Terminals with about 6
which is managed by Gujarat Venture Finance Ltd. (GVFL). The million tonnes crude oil output. The state has 12 domestic and
fund was constituted in 2004 and the state government has 1 international airport. These trunk infrastructures contribute
been continuously contributing to the fund. In 2010 GVFL towards building the right ecosystem for business promotion
invested Rs. 1.1 crore (Rs. 11 million) in AxioBiosolutions. In and entrepreneurship development in the state.
2018, GVFL exited the equity arrangement at 39 per cent IRR It is understood that entrepreneurship in the field of
and made 8X money of the investment. This is not only a biotechnology is technology and skill driven, and is a key to
success story of a start-up, but also a story of the perseverance problem solving and employment generation in all small
and faith of the state government in this technology and its pockets and strata of the state. Government has initiated
firm determination to take it ahead. a Biotechnopreneur Programme in collaboration with
Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), to train
Gujarat is well known for its business acumen and the budding entrepreneurs, 2nd generation entrepreneurs,
entrepreneurial spirit. To boost the entrepreneurship in the students and other similar stakeholders, in biotechnology
various areas of biotechnology special provisions are made entrepreneurship, over a 10 month long weekend programme.
under policy. The new incubation centres under policy will get The programme enrolls 15 to 20 participants and gives them
capital assistance of upto Rs. 1 crore (Rs. 10 million) and upto exposure to business development skills and biotechnology.

28 BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

BIOSAFETY ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAMME the state government has funded 7 colleges of the state to
conduct repeated training programmes at undergraduate
State has received 10 start-ups from amongst these level, to orient them towards national competitive exams.
participants. It also serves as a pipeline for the incubation Approximately 4000 students have received training under
process at STBI. this initiative and 140 students have cleared different national
competitive exams. The number of successful students is
On the similar lines, to promote innovation and increasing year on year. The initiative has also funded 1 college
development of prototypes, the state government has for training Post Graduates to clear CSIR-NET and other similar
initiated from 2018-19, a Hackathon of Biotech Solutions competitive exams at post graduate level. The number of such
– abbreviated as ‘BIOTHON’. The focus of the Biothon is to cells would be increased in the coming years.
identify hacks and develop technologies that solve state’s
problems. Biothon attempts to seek objective-oriented The biotech industry in the state requires skilled
solutions - Technologies or a ‘Minimal Viable Prototype’ for the manpower of biotech with distinct set of capabilities. These
problems of significance to the State/Community, but more capabilities are very specific to the kind of biotech sector the
importantly, inculcate a mind-set of problem solving and companies are operating in. Looking at the difficulties of the
undertaking goal-oriented impactful research in the young companies, an Industrial Biotech Training Programme (IBTP)
innovators. The Hackathon has received an overwhelming has been initiated, which gives entry to M.Sc. freshers from the
response and looks forward to meaningful programme.
state in biotech companies of the
Biotechnology, like the other fields of science is a state. After a training of 6 months
constantly evolving field. To keep the participants generate skills sets
updating the new knowledge required by the industry, and in
constantly, it is important to many cases get absorbed in the
conduct seminars and workshops, trainee company.
at various levels in the state. This is
supported by Financial Support to To promote the spirit of right
Activities (FSA), where government and healthy competition in the state, state runs an event of
gives funding support to various academic and research Gujarat Integrated Bio Network (GIBioN) in collaboration with
institutes in the state to conduct different types of awareness J & J College of the state. This is an annual event where 800
generation and outreach programmes. to 1000 students and faculties participate in different state
level competitions. This activity increases the soft skills in the
Human resource is the key to development of any students of the state.
sector, and realizing the same, state government has
taken initiatives to support the different strata of human GSBTM also operates a Biosafety Online Training
resources of biotechnology. For the inclusive development Programme (BOTP), which is an online coursework to train
of biotech manpower in the state, GSBTM has initiated different stakeholders of biotechnology in biosafety rules and
training programmes for graduates and post graduates to regulations. State government schemes are in concurrence to
enhance their skills for competitive exams, under the BT-CBC National and State priorities.
(Biotech Capacity Building Cells) initiative. In this initiative





BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com DIGI-TECH 31

BIG
PHARMA’S
DIGITAL
JOURNEY

Digital disruption is forever changing the way how pharma and healthcare companies do

business. But, despite benefits, it is seen that the pharmaceutical industry have been slow

in embracing the potential of digital technology in comparison to other industries. Industry

experts believe that its time, pharma organizations start thinking hard about digital health in

their business planning. Now, the Times Up! For Big Pharma to Jump into the Bandwagon.

With 72 deals (according to mobihealth news) Beijing. China, saw $863 million raised and fostered
in Q3 alone, 2018 is emerging out to be one five of the top 10 international deals. Three other
of the blockbuster years for digital health Chinese cities, Zhenjiang, Shanghai and Hangzhou,

deal making. On the heels of last year’s sky-high did $100M or more in deals, read the report.

funding for digital health startups, VC’s continued to “As for most industries, digital transformation is
flood the digital health industry with cash, this year a strategic imperative for pharma companies,” says,
again, that too at unprecedented levels. Undoubtedly,
Mohit Grover, Deloitte Southeast

digital health has become a major growth sector and Asia Sustainability Leader. “Life

experts believe that this digital revolution is all set to sciences organisations are facing
transform healthcare. As a ripple effect, the pharma pressure to innovate their processes

industry is already feeling the pinch and big giants as quickly as possible. The need

are busy in deal-making, investing, partnering, and for accelerated transformation is

developing products in digital methods, in an attempt necessary to accommodate the speed
to go digital and stay ahead of the race. Digital health with which everything – patient

is forever changing the way doctors, clinicians and the needs and expectations,

pharma industry engage with the patients, prodding regulations, and the industry
the industry to embrace new business strategies and itself – is evolving.”
digital methodologies. As healthcare continues to digitize, patients are

The third quarter of 2018 was the biggest funding more than just mere recipients of therapies. These

quarter for digital health ever, according to StartUp days, patients come to doctors with lot of information,
Health Insights. The research group reported $4.5 test parameters measured at home, and an informed
billion in digital health funding. With $11.1 billion opinion about how they should be treated. They are

invested so far, investment is only $600 million short not just passive acceptors of a written prescription,

of last year’s overall total, even including the fourth but active participants in planning their treatment
quarter. In Asia, Chinese digital health companies are and schedule. Also, the internet and social media
raising more money, especially those based around have changed the way patient’s access and process

32 DIGI-TECH

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

information, empowering patients to play a central Artificial Intelligence: Sub-Industry Heatmap
role in their care than ever before. Hence, to survive 2011-2016 (as of 6/15/2016)
and succeed in the market it’s become crucial for
companies to engage with their patients on all levels Sub-Industry 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016(YTD)
of pharmaceutical development. After all, patients are
the end-users and tapping and engaging the patient Healthcare
community is considered as the best winning strategy
for the pharma giants. Advertising, Sales & Marketing

Grover elaborates, “Other industries, like banking Business Intelligence
or even day-to-day payment systems have already
moved into technology, which means technology is Security
well-embedded in one’s daily life and this leads to
an increase in patients’ expectations around more Finance
effective healthcare services that are digitally-enabled.
Looking ahead to the future, health care executives loT/Wearables
should be planning how to integrate digital technology
into their engagement and interactions with patients Education
and physicians. Patients are more proactively
engaging in their own health management – seeking Customer Relationship Management
trusted sources of medical information, self-diagnosis,
and monitoring of health status. There is significant Personal Assistants/Productivity
growth on on-line platforms providing access to
medical consultations and fulfillment of prescriptions. E-Commerce
Technology companies like Grab are making inroads
in digital health with their recent partnership with Robotics
Ping Ann Healthcare - which will provide integrated
medical services such as artificial intelligence-assisted Min Max www.cbinsights.com
online medical consultations, medicine delivery and No. of Deals
appointment bookings through an online platform.”
can achieve for the companies. AI success stories,
Sharing his insights on digital transformation genome sequencing, virtual care, telemedicine, has
in pharma sector, Paul Bidez, Vice President, not only ensured better administration of healthcare
Regulatory and Clinical Solutions, PAREXEL but also helped pharma firms reap huge profits, reduce
mentions, “Pharmaceutical companies time and investment. Nonetheless, it can be seen
and CROs are just beginning to that new companies/startups, unencumbered by the
bring the cloud and other digital traditional new companies and systems of old giants,
technologies on board. To improve are leading by example, pioneering impressive new
human health, companies today are digital capabilities. In the process, they are nudging
looking to the cloud, in particular, the industry as a whole in this direction. This could
to centralize data. And while this is significantly boost R&D productivity, benefiting both
certainly an important application pharmaceutical companies and the patients they serve.
of cloud capabilities, we
are still just beginning to Bidez elaborates, “There is significant opportunity to
realize the full potential improve drug development via automated technologies,
for how pharma and life sciences can capitalize on the such as artificial intelligence (AI). AI allows researchers
technology.” to align across systems, regions and siloed departments
to integrate insights from previously untapped experts
Digital technology is to revise inefficient approaches, analyze findings and
revolutionizing healthcare adjust reporting processes. Operational algorithms
can process large amounts of data to help companies
Digital disruption is forever changing the way how remove bottlenecks and identify the characteristics that
brands operate, engage with customers, build market will yield the most value for patients and payers when
feedback into development cycles, drive new and developing product profiles.”
repeat business, and spot and exploit new market
opportunities. There are many examples even in the But, despite benefits, it is seen that the
pharma healthcare domain on what digital technology pharmaceutical industry have been slow in embracing
the potential of digital technology in comparison to
other industries. Understandably so. Life sciences is
inherently a risk-averse business, governed heavily
by regulation that is widening in reach as well as
becoming stricter. Experts opine that though pharma
giants are aware of the importance and advantages
of digitizing their operations, they are worried of
overstepping into unchartered territory. Pharma
firms tend to tread lightly around the idea of digital
health, because there is a lot of uncertainty around
the concept of digitization, making it tough to design
uniform regulations and adhere to them.

A new research report published by Deloitte

DIGI-TECH 33

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Big pharma’s Big bets on digital health

● GlaxoSmithKline has invested $300 million to chronic disease, identify food trends, improve
gain exclusive access to 23 and DNA database. wellbeing, and manage weight.
A joint GSK-23andMe drug discovery team, in ● Novartis teamed up with video game company
fact, will identify new targets, selected based on Numinous Games to launch the Galaxies of
the possibility of discovering a medicine. Hope app, which lets patients, providers, and
caregivers explore the challenges of coping with
● Bayer signed a multiyear agreement with neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cancer through a
Genpact a professional services firm focused multimodal approach.
on delivering digital transformation under ● A digital pathology and artificial intelligence
which Genpact’s Pharmacovigilance Artificial collaboration, with partners including Roche
Intelligence (PVAI) suite of capabilities will be Diagnostics and Microsoft, has been awarded
applied to Bayer’s existing pharmacovigilance £10.1 million from a government-backed
database and IT systems. agency to expand across the north of England.
● Pfizer has appointed a chief digital officer
● Prescription digital therapeutic developer Click because of the growing importance of digital
Therapeutics closed a $17 million funding technology in R&D and business process, as
round led by Sanofi Ventures, a subsidiary part of a recent boardroom shake-up.
of pharma giant Sanofi. The deal is expected ● Pfizer joined hands with IBM Watson
to help the company work on its proprietary Health to collaborate to accelerate immuno-
platform and the pipeline of its digital oncology research. The deal helped Pfizer
therapeutics. utilize Watson’s machine learning, natural
language processing, and cognitive reasoning
● Merck collaborated Healthy Interactions technologies to identify new drug targets and
and launched a diabetes management and devise combination therapies.
engagement platform designed to support in- ● Roche acquired oncology analytics startup
person counseling programs. Flatiron Health to advance oncology research in
a $1.9 billion deal.
● WebMD is teaming up with Chinese tech
giant Tencent in a deal that would introduce
the health information platform to Asia. The
technology aims to help users manage their

and MIT elaborated that though many biotech and DIGITAL HEALTH QUARTERLY Q1’13 - Q1’17
pharmaceutical companies seek the many competitive GLOBAL FINANCING HISTORY
advantages that come with digitally transforming their
businesses, few biopharma leaders have made the 267 278 284 268
changes necessary to achieve their transformational 232 255
goals. The fourth annual study found that while many 245 247
biopharma companies are exploring a variety of digital 181
opportunities – from engaging consumers with apps 176 222
to improving operations with artificial intelligence 174 196 212 211 207
– just 20 per cent of leaders said their companies
are digitally maturing. Most biopharma leaders say 152
their companies are either early in their journey (25
per cent) or developing their capabilities (55 per $489
cent). Even though most companies are still in their $584
development phase, 58 per cent said that digital is a $744
top management priority, with 75 per cent expecting $654
to achieve the value of their digital initiatives within $1,017
the next five years. $1,651
$1,355
So what is holding some biopharma companies $1,596
back? Gover explains, “I see pharma companies $1,049
adopting digital technologies but they still struggle to $1,648
embed digital in their broader strategy. As a result, $2,049
these technologies become “incremental” initiatives $1,366
$2,279
$2,307
$969
$1,196
$2,399

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
CBINSIGHTS
 Disclosed Funding ($M) Deals

that may not necessarily be sustainable. It is a digital
journey. And as the term journey suggests, you do not
start in the middle (which some pharmas are doing, with
their digital initiatives), you start from the beginning
with a plan and a strategy. Adopting is one thing, but
knowing what exactly you are adopting for is another.
Many companies struggle to obtain adequate strategic
alignment, funding and capabilities for their digital
transformation plans. Complex and ever evolving

34 DIGI-TECH

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

FUNDING SNAPSHOT: YEAR OVER YEAR Talking about the future, Bidez shares, “We can
Digital health funding is on track to surpass 2017 funding totals by almost $1B, making this year’s expect the industry to go all-in with digital in the
third quarter the largest quarter since we began tracking the digital health market in 2010. near future, as researchers are looking for new ways
to aggregate clinical and real-word data sets to tap
851 into previously unrealized insights. Specifically, the
cloud and AI will be at the forefront of this industry-
647 608 684 600 wide transformation, as life sciences companies are
constantly looking for ways to optimize and accelerate
568 $11.2B $11.1B the drug development process. Additionally, the
476 (YTD) transition to cloud will likely strengthen researchers’
$4.5B confidence that technology can in fact improve the
153 283 $7.1B $8.2B $2.6B quality of insights.”
$2.0B $2.2B 2018
$1.2B $2.0B $6.2B (YTD) Its time for a change!
$249M $646M $2.9B $1.8B
$773M Industry experts believe that its time pharma
$2.3B organizations start thinking hard about digital health
$541M in their business planning. Ingraining that culture
and mindset into pharma management teams is no
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 small task, however. Succeeding in the digital health
 Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4 ● Deal Count arena requires a different skill set than doing so in the
traditional pharma and healthcare settings. Extremely
Source - Start Up Health Insights restrictive regulations, the presence of multiple key
stakeholders, a slow-to-adopt culture and other
regulatory environment also contributes to this issue.” challenges distinguish healthcare from the retail and
“One of the reasons the industry is slow to welcome finance sectors, which have flourished with their
implementations of digital technologies.
digital technology is the challenges that industry
already faces in terms of time and expense it takes to Grover concludes, “I think the transformation has
bring treatments to market,” says Bidez. “The pharma begun and while it is slow due to many regulatory
industry is still relying on disconnected and dated restrictions, still there has been a significant progress.
systems in many cases. Pharma and life sciences leaders A report by Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions,
are now realizing they need tools and information reflected that the number of pharmaceutical apps
systems that will help them turn the massive amounts developed by pharma companies have tripled since
of data they have access to into meaningful insights. 2013, with 305 apps developed in 2013 and 988 in
Also, when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry, 2016. Having said that, the business model they
patient privacy is of the utmost importance. So, while develop out of this digital journey has to also look at
the cloud makes it easier to condense and access transforming and redefining their capabilities and
patient information from across the globe and across strengths. The existing talent pool may not be ready
systems, companies must also make sure that data is for this journey if they are not equipped with the right
stored safely and complies with all industry security skills and capabilities.”
guidelines. Introducing new systems and processes
can be challenging and many organizations are still Pharmaceutical companies are uniquely positioned
working to figure out how to get this right.” between patients, prescribers and payers, and going
digital will help them reap maximum benefits. But, this is
The way forward: not a journey that can be completed overnight. Effective
digital transformation requires a thourogh study, a
In the long run, we can expect technologies like artificial roadmap, and this will differ for each organization
intelligence to transform the way the pharmaceutical depending on the status quo and what its most pressing
industry operates. With 1.5 billion across nearly 190 priorities are. All said and done, it is important that
deals into healthcare-focused AI startups in the last 5 companies start thinking in this direction as the race is
years, AI has become a top category of startup funding on and the market won’t wait. Government emphasis,
in digital health. Also big data and cloud computing regulatory demands and customer preferences are
are part of the overall data analytics revolution changing now, and life sciences businesses that can’t
changing the way firms do business – including adapt and keep up will suffer.
R&D, evaluating drug trials and generating real world
evidence. Newer apps and mobile health technologies Aishwarya Venkatesh
will make entry into the market facilitating penetrance [email protected]
of good healthcare even in rural settings. As the
healthcare industry is changing and adopting data
analytics, pharmaceutical companies will be among
the key players. We are already seeing new tech giants
Apple, Microsoft and Google take baby steps into
the healthcare world, while Amazon is considering
entering the pharmacy distribution chain.

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Organised diagnostics sector
equals much healthier India

« or treatment involve a diagnostic investigation.
In fact, evidence-based medicine de-emphasises
Dr B.R Das, intuition, unsystematic clinical experience and
Advisor and Mentor pathophysiological rationale.
- R&D and Molecular
Pathology, SRL The latest data from a nation-wide report, Health
Diagnostics, India of the Nation’s States, showed that the disease
burden of NCDs has jumped from 30 per cent to 55
India is experiencing a growing burden per cent in the past two decades. Another such study
of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the causes of death in rural India for the years
claiming over 5.87 million lives in a year. 2010-13 showed that NCDs accounted for 47 per cent
The probability of dying between the of all deaths while communicable, maternal, perinatal
ages of 30 and 70, from four major NCDs and nutritional conditions together accounted for
(cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic 30 per cent. This is similar to urban India as well.
respiratory diseases and diabetes) for High blood pressure, the biggest risk factor for death
both sexes is as high as 26 per cent. worldwide, now affects one in five adults in rural
These are diseases that can rarely be India, while diabetes affects about one in 20 adults.
cured completely and have to be managed A key metric to measure the burden of a disease on a
for the rest of the patient’s life – at huge community is disability adjusted life years (DALYs)
social and economic cost. The only way to lost. It is the sum of years of life lost due to premature
avoid them is by way of regular diagnostic deaths and years lived with disability. A recent report
check-ups and corresponding changes in released by the India State-Level Disease Burden
lifestyle. The US spends as much as 18 Initiative shows that three of the top five leading
per cent. Considering these challenges, causes of DALYs lost in India were NCDs: coronary
diagnostics in India are expected to artery disease, chronic lung diseases and stroke. It
play a major role not only for providing is estimated that India is likely to lose $4.58 trillion
diagnostics services but also for creating before 2030 due to NCDs.
awareness among the masses.
Delayed diagnosis and treatment of NCDs not
only escalates the costs but also amplifies long-term
health and financial repercussions. Thus, prevention
and early diagnosis should be at the fore of all

While health care may be one of the key
focus areas of the government of India,
with plans to increase expenditure
on the sector to 2.5 per cent of Gross domestic
product (GDP), from the current 1.15 per cent, very
little of this is going towards the diagnostics part,
which is the first and most critical step in patient
clinical management. It is estimated that 70 per
cent of all health care decisions affecting diagnosis

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HEALTHCARE IN INDIA FACES MAJOR PROBLEM The diagnostics sector is, at many levels,
– THE URBAN-RURAL DIVIDE. WHILE 70% OF considered the first line of defence, when it comes to
THE POPULATION IS IN RURAL INDIA, WHERE healthcare. It is only through the tests carried out by
THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF THE MINIMUM BASIC diagnostic labs or centres that there comes proof that a
STANDARDS IN HEALTHCARE. MOST OF THE patient has a disease or not and the possible treatment
POPULATION HAS TO RELY ON ALTERNATIVE options. This makes the diagnostics part of healthcare
MEDICINE OR STANDALONE PATHOLOGY CENTRES one of the most important in the eco-system. A faulty
THAT ENJOY LITTLE OR NO OVERSIGHT. SINCE diagnosis can cause significantly increased costs and in
THERE ARE NO ESTABLISHED REGULATIONS THAT a worst case, an avoidable death.
AUTHORIZE MINIMUM STANDARDS IN TERMS OF
QUALITY, TECHNOLOGY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND Healthcare in India faces another major problem
QUALIFICATION OF PERSONNEL FOR SETTING – the urban-rural divide. While 70 per cent of the
UP AND RUNNING A DIAGNOSTIC LAB, THE population is in rural India, where there is a shortage
DIAGNOSTICS SECTOR IS SWARMED WITH A GAMUT of the minimum basic standards in healthcare. Most
OF SMALL LABS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE of the population has to rely on alternative medicine
SUPPLY AND DEMAND – MANY OF THESE FLY-BY- or standalone pathology centres that enjoy little or no
NIGHT OPERATORS. DESPITE THE ACCREDITATION oversight. Since there are no established regulations
OF LABORATORIES IN INDIA BEING VOLUNTARY, that authorize minimum standards in terms of
AROUND 1% OF ALL DIAGNOSTIC CENTRES ARE quality, technology, infrastructure and qualification
SUITABLY ACCREDITED. of personnel for setting up and running a diagnostic
lab, the diagnostics sector is swarmed with a gamut
efforts. Diagnostics is of crucial importance for early of small labs to bridge the gap between the supply
screening and control of NCDs epidemic. There is and demand – many of these fly-by-night operators.
strong evidence that early detection and treatment of Despite the accreditation of laboratories in India being
NCDs have a positive impact on disease progression, voluntary, around 1 per cent of all diagnostic centres
leading to fewer complications and increased life are suitably accredited. Overall, diagnostic errors have
expectancy. Healthcare experts suggest redesigning been underappreciated and under-recognized because
of primary care to promote high-quality, integrated, most of the laboratories do not follow sound/ethical
and continuous diagnostic services that respond quality practices and since they are not regulated such
to the challenge of chronicity due to NCDs and are errors are difficult to measure and keep track.
accessible at low cost. The Indian healthcare market,
which is worth around $ 100 billion, will likely grow Bringing in the diagnostics centre under the policy
at a CAGR of 23 per cent to $ 320 billion by 2020. with rules and regulations to standardise quality
The diagnostics sector, on its part, is expected to and efficiency of delivery does not just ensure the
grow at CAGR of 20 per cent to $32 billion by 2022. highest level of accuracy, but significantly resolves a
This is mainly driven by the increasing importance number of challenges related to diagnostic errors and
being given to healthcare as well as innovation and its impact on overall patient management. For one,
technology that is steadily entering the sector. the diagnostic sector could jump on the e-commerce
platform and grow exponentially, offering doorstep
From a quality perspective, presently Indian services and online payments – resolving the delivery
diagnostic sector needs serious revamping, the issue to a large extent. This also brings down costs
fact that 90 per cent of the more than one lakh and significantly improves transparency. This also
diagnostics centres across the country are in the significantly empowers the consumer.
unorganised segment, is something severely limiting
to growth and utility of this sector. As is the case with As laboratories are now focusing on quality
unorganised segment across different healthcare and expanding their brand, getting accredited is a
sectors, the lack of accountability of standalone major step, bringing in much-needed accuracy and
pathology labs, brings with it the lack of ethical transparency. This also brings down costs for both
processes, accuracy, quality and efficiency – key consumers, as well as the government that is able to
requirements for anything within the healthcare spend on other key sectors.
sector. Then there is the significantly increased costs.
The National Health Policy 2017, the Government
has insisted on the need to strategically invest in
promotive and preventive healthcare measures. If
the Government invests enough in Diagnostics, the
industry can propagate early diagnosis and help
improve productivity while eliminating the need for
tertiary treatment.

Q&A 37

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“Public-private partnerships could
have the greatest impact on NCDs care”

« acute infectious diseases do not have the capability
to provide such care. They are also facing a situation
Dr Harald Nusser, when NCDs are becoming much more common while
Head of Novartis infectious diseases remain a real threat - this is what
Social Business, is called the ‘dual burden of disease’. One of the
Holzkirchen, Bavaria, obvious roles that the pharmaceutical sector can play
Germany is the provision of high quality affordable medicines.
However, we can offer much more. For instance,
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are one of Novartis Social Business runs health education
the biggest healthcare issues facing policy- programmes called Healthy Family in counties such
makers today. Incidence of NCDs is on the as India, Kenya and Vietnam to educate doctors and
rise, globally as well as in Asia Pacific region. The laymen about the symptoms of NCDs, and on when
staggered figures back this fact: it is estimated that to seek medical assistance. We contributed also with
NCDs globally claim over 40 million lives annually, the development of a monitoring and evaluation
of which around 17 million are under 70 years framework for different health system strengthening
old. About half of these are in Asia Pacific region interventions together with our partner Boston
alone. While NCDs pose a global challenge, it is University. This goes beyond counting how many pills
important to note that developing countries – whose have been dispensed - it puts outcomes into focus,
healthcare systems are already stressed with having i.e. are medicines really affordable to households
to fight against infectious diseases and providing when they are dispensed or have education sessions
greater access to maternity care – are coming on symptoms not only taken place but yielded a
under the biggest strain. Increasing urbanization knowledge gain? Together with Boston University,
and globalization, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity we have made public not only the study protocol and
and hypertension have all been major contributors questionnaire, but also the data. The key for us is to
that are leading up to these diseases – with major work together to understand the root causes of some
behavioural risk factors identified as a combination of these difficult problems and then be open-minded
of one or more habits such as increased tobacco about where the solutions can come from and what
use and alcohol consumption, inadequate physical each actor can contribute.
activity and unhealthy diet. In a recent conversation
with BioSpectrum Asia, Dr Harald Nusser, Head How do health systems need to change to
of Novartis Social Business, Holzkirchen, Bavaria, cope with the dual burden of both infectious
Germany spoke about the challenges in tackling the
burden, role of PPS, value of empowerment and
education and the need to rethink how healthcare
should be delivered. Edited excerpts;

What would you say is the main challenge in
tackling NCDs? What will be the role of the
pharmaceutical sector in doing so?
The main challenge in tackling NCDs in lower-income
countries is that often NCDs remain of asymptomatic
nature progressing slowly until the irreversible
damage develops, which then require a long-term, if
not lifelong, care. Many health systems focused on

38 Q&A

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and non- communicable diseases? How is it How key are public-private partnerships to
impacting emerging economies? progressing the NCDs agenda?
Majority of cases attributed to NCDs affect people in There is no Universal Health Coverage and no
the prime of their lives, within their most productive solution to the rising tide of NCDs without the private
age. The economic impact of NCDs will not only be sector. The question therefore is, how can businesses
felt in rising healthcare costs. Premature death and be generated responsibly, thus contributing to
disability due to chronic diseases reduces the capacity increased societal benefits. While the appropriate
of a nation’s workforce to produce and contribute to use of medicines provides societal benefits, we
society, thereby negatively affecting the economy. can step out of established paths by contributing
The economic benefit of keeping people healthy and to prevention too. Public Private Partnerships are
productive is significantly higher than the amount an opportunity for each partner to learn from one
invested in diagnostics and treatment of NCDs. A another. Improving healthcare is complicated.
report from the World Health Organization published Eventually, we need to bring together a diverse group
in May shows that for every $1 invested in scaling up of leaders from academia, industry, government
actions to address NCDs in low- and lower-middle- and NGOs to address one step at a time, but with a
income countries, there will be a return to society of holistic picture in mind. The more importance we pay
at least $7 in increased employment, productivity and to local communities in designing the solution, the
longer life. greater the likelihood of a successful outcome. We
believe that public-private partnerships (PPPs) could
How has urbanization impacted NCDs and what have the greatest impact on NCD care if everyone
should be done to handle this problem? delivering healthcare went outside their comfort
In nearly all countries, urbanization leads to an zones to develop novel solutions.
unhealthier diet, increased obesity and lack of
exercise. In some countries, it is also associated with How can existing supply chains, distribution
increased alcohol consumption and tobacco use. mechanisms and expertise in commodities
These lifestyle changes are a leading cause of people procurement be used to address NCDs?
developing chronic diseases. I believe that while a Existing supply chains often lack capacity and
lifestyle is a personal choice of each individual, this capability, i.e. necessary assets for transportation
choice should be made based on certain level of are not available in many countries neither are basic
awareness. Therefore, we would like to help increase skills and supporting systems, e.g. the application
level of awareness among people in ASEAN countries of first-in-first-out rules or knowledge on how to
about healthy diets and exercise as well as the accurately forecast demand. Sometimes supply
negative aspects of alcohol and tobacco consumption. chains are established with support of donor
Raising awareness about importance of healthy interventions, but they are parallel systems often
nutrition and exercising is part of our Healthy Family
education programmes.

How can NCDs benefit from the experience that
countries have had with infectious diseases?
Let us look at malaria. A woman with childbearing
potential at the same time she presents with
malaria could be also screened for hypertension and
(gestational) diabetes and be informed about the
importance of nutrition. Such intersessions would
allow to transversally bend invested money from
separate therapeutic or donor interventions into
community based care. This would avoid donor waste
and would be people centric. In the end we treat
people, not diseases. And this is what a functioning
health system shall also have in mind. Still, many
lessons have been learned from legacy interventions
in public health and we are all well advised to
leverage our insights and share them along with all
the data, which still sit with individual actors.

Q&A 39

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

focusing on one particular intervention. More sector has shown it can contribute with scalable
recently, PPPs have been set up to address the models. These models can be further explored via PPPs
problem more systematically and new business and with that we hope that governments in Asia will
models addressing some of the issues have been allow the private sector to play a role in transforming
developed by entrepreneurs. health systems in the region. On the supranational
level, it will be beneficial to broaden the debate and
Novartis has contributed some time ago with a link economic growth prospects with health. In that
co-creation of SMS for Life program. Led by Novartis sense, as mentioned before, societal benefits arising
and supported by public and private partners, from health care provide an investment opportunity
SMS for Life was initially launched in 2009 to help for a country, not only a dual disease cost burden.
prevent stock-outs of antimalarials in Tanzania. It In that sense, priorities for a health ministry and a
has since been rolled out in more than 10,000 public ministry for economic development might increasingly
health facilities in Kenya, Ghana, the Democratic overlap going forward.
Republic of Congo and Cameroon. Over the years, the
scope of the programme has also expanded to more Explain about your sustainable business model.
disease areas and health parameters. Building on the Companies like ours have moved beyond corporate
success of SMS for Life, starting from 2016, a new responsibility. Social businesses place equal weight
enhanced version, SMS for Life 2.0, was launched on financial as well as on societal returns when
in Nigeria, Zambia and Zanzibar. With SMS for Life making investment decisions. Only such businesses
2.0, local healthcare workers use smartphones and interventions, especially in the areas of NCDs, i.e.
tablet computers to track stock levels of essential chronic diseases, are lasting and scalable. Philanthropy
antimalarials, vaccines, HIV, TB and leprosy would not work. The Novartis Access commitment,
treatments, and send notifications to district medical for example, hinges on providing large quantities
officers when stock levels are low. The programme of medicines at low margins. Only with scale this
also enables the monitoring of surveillance business will generate a profit - and therefore has
parameters for malaria, maternal and infant deaths long-term sustainability built in at its core. Too often
and seven other diseases. we see programmes started on a philanthropic basis
dying away as a corporate sponsor or funder changes
According to you, what actions should be taken priorities. Because Novartis Access contributes to the
by policymakers? bottom line, it is self-funded and sustainable in the
On national level, decentralization of care to the long term. Same principle applies to our community
community and with that strengthening primary based Healthy Family programmes, which sustain
healthcare service delivery has been identified as themselves for more than ten years already operating
the way to go, as tertiary care hospitals are rare and at scale and employing local people as well as engaging
focused on major cities and overburdened. The private with NGOs.

What is Novartis Access doing to help the
global health community around NCDs?
Novartis Access is a commitment of Novartis to
contribute to stemming the tide of NCDs in LMICs.
The offer is both product based as well as enables to
select health system strengthening activities. From
a product perspective, we focus on affordability
and availability of 15 on- and off-patent medicines
addressing four main NCD types - cardiovascular
diseases, type 2 diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and
breast cancer. The portfolio is offered to governments,
NGOs and other public-sector customers at a price of
$ 1 per treatment per month. Novartis aims to make
these services sustainable over the long term and to
reduce the investment of the patient in accessing the
right medicine and care at the right time.

Priyanka Bajpai
[email protected]

40 Q&A

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

“There is a great opportunity
for innovation to support the
delivery of healthcare in India”

Dr Mike Short, Deborah Kobewka, Deborah Kobewka –India-UK technology
CBE, Chief Scientific Head- Healthcare, partnership was agreed upon between India and UK
Adviser, Department Life Sciences and during Indian Prime Ministers Narendra Modi’s visit
of International Bio-economy, in April 2018. The objective is to jointly work together
Trade (DIT), the Department of at government to government level to put in place
United Kingdom International Trade Artificial Intelligence (AI) pilots from UK companies
(DIT), the United into India to try to look at how to solve some Indian
Kingdom primary healthcare challenges. It is believed that
the AI companies have some very good diagnostic
Future-Tech Festival (FTF) is a thought- solutions which could be applicable in India where
leadership summit organised by the UK reaching large number of population, particularly in
government in India in collaboration with the rural areas, is very tricky. So, it is an opportunity for
UK and India’s best tech innovators, companies and some of the very leading edge AI companies in the
organisations. As a part of FTF, India-UK Healthcare UK to bring their solutions to India and to see if they
Leadership Forum is also organised. Recently the 3rd can support PM’s ambition to bring healthcare to half
edition of the forum was held in Mumbai. Dr Mike a billion Indians, who currently do not have access.
Short CBE, Chief Scientific Adviser, Department of
International Trade (DIT) and Deborah Kobewka, What are the main objectives of the recently
Head - Healthcare, Life Sciences and Bio-economy, established India-UK Technology partnership?
DIT were in Mumbai to participate in the India- Deborah Kobewka - DIT has an ongoing
UK Healthcare Leadership Forum. BioSpectrum programme, working to explore possibilities of trade
interacted with them to find out more about with India. Healthcare UK, which is a government
Healthcare UK’s plans for partnership with India. organisation within DIT, is very much focussed
Edited Excerpts; on supporting overseas commerce from healthcare
companies and organisations in UK, which includes
What is the purpose behind India-UK NHS and also all the private sector healthcare
Healthcare Leadership Forum? companies that underpinned healthcare delivery
Dr Mike Short - The aim of this mission is to in UK. So, these organisations look to take their
look into the collaboration between UK and Indian services overseas and healthcare UK supports that
companies. We have got the delegations from the UK. activity. India is one of our key market where we
They are strong players in med tech and health space. think there is good opportunity for UK healthcare
They met very interesting Indian companies here, services to be utilised. FTF held in Delhi was the
some of them they wish to collaborate with. Some great opportunity to showcase what UK has to offer
might be involved in innovation. So, the point is to in healthcare, particularly in this case from the
build on the historical strength of both the countries technology perspective. We will continue to utilise
and to find the complimentary points of interests. those kind of events to be able to continue to develop
trade relationships and commercial opportunities in
the UK and India.

What are the current global healthcare
challenges and how can those be addressed?
Dr Mike Short – The start point has to be unmet
needs. When we think of some countries there are
some unmet needs such as clinicians, drugs, solutions
and others. Some solutions may emerge from India

Q&A 41

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that might as well help several countries in the Though many technologies are available, one
world. So, if we take the issue of health you can start major issue, particularly in India is cost of
imagining the way mobile can start contributing treatment. How can this issue be tackled?
significantly to health, whether it is provision Dr Mike Short – I first came to India 30 years
of information, access to internet, may be using ago in connection with mobile telecommunications
telephony message, starting to use mobile camera & training and the world is totally different today
phone as a tool to do visual analytics. The display is compared to 30 years ago. One of the key lessons
in a mini computer in your pocket in effect so it can that comes with the mobile is economies of scale
also be linked to wearables as well as apps. Quite a key to bring down the cost. What we see now are the
few companies on this mission come from these two benefits of mobile reaching to everybody in India.
directions, where they are helping clinicians as well Think about the scale issues India has some inherent
as patients in the areas of healthcare. Every economy advantages because of the scale. But actually it may
is not of the same size and India is a huge country not have the understanding or elements in place
so it has a lot of capabilities on its own. But in some whether it is the people or technology. So, actually
cases it may need help to work with the people trying some of the thinking is about how do you scale up
this thing somewhere else and then may scale them some of these solutions to make them more effective
up here in India or export from India. We can also see in terms of reach to everybody and cost comes down
that in rural areas where may be there are insufficient with scaling up.
hospitals and clinicians getting better access to that
information, for instance access to drugs will be really Deborah Kobewka - I think it is important
helpful through mobile. We can also see some of to think about innovations in a holistic way rather
the innovations require start-ups and scale ups that than point of solutions. So, when thinking about
might go overseas and might get transferred to other an innovation you have to think about how that
countries, from India to the UK or elsewhere. innovation affects the whole outcome for the patient,
particularly healthcare providers who need to think
What are your views on the growth of about innovations in that way. So, when adopting
healthcare innovations in India? an innovation into a new pathway how does that
Deborah Kobewka - There is a great opportunity alter the outcome for the patient, might allow him
for innovation to support the delivery of healthcare to spend less time in hospital and more time at
in India. Clearly, as we just mentioned, access to home. This might prevent a long period of untreated
healthcare is a real challenge, that well may be a disease that might in the end lead to worse to come.
combination of access and perhaps also cost of So, basically technologies like early diagnosis are
healthcare. Digital innovations particularly that enormously helpful in providing a much better
enable healthcare to be delivered in remote areas outcome, for example for cancer patients, and overall
will be very beneficial. Also, there are not large treatment time reduced and in the long term cost for
number of general practitioners who would be able to the patients as well as improving the outcome. So, it
provide primary care locally. So, it is very much about is important to view innovations holistically and not
utilising technology to support the profession of GP as individual points of solutions.
services from the remote perspective and again the
use of technologies like AI to support the doctors in Milind Kokje
coming to a rapid diagnosis. About the devices those [email protected]
are remotely in health centres in villages are being
able to provide feedback and data to a doctor which
is able to make clear decisions about how a patient’s
treatment should proceed. Those kind of innovations
are suited to Indian environment.

Dr Mike Short – One company in this mission is
QuantuMDX and they specialise in point of care and
equipment particularly for TB. It signed an MoU with
an Indian company. It is quite interesting because
they are looking for complimentary skills to come with
the technology and knowledge those two companies
have got. TB is an issue in India and new solutions to
address that seems to me a very good development.

42 SCIENCE NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

IIT team develops nanodots to fight cancer

A group of scientists at the Indian biocompatible and can be rapidly and therapeutic conjugates. The
Institute of Technology, Roorkee, excreted from the body and exhibit scientific team is planning next
India has developed fluorescent low toxicity while producing a stage animal studies for further
carbon nanodots that can serve reliable optical signal. In addition, evaluation of these nanomaterials
as theranostic i.e. therapeutic they can be chemically modified in oncological applications, for
and diagnostic, agents for cancer. for use as multimodal probes both diagnostics and treatment.
These nanosized carbon materials They will concurrently study
have been extracted from the the factors that would affect the
leaves of the rosy periwinkle plant. performance and use of carbon
Carbon dots, also called carbon nanodots in cancer theranotics,
quantum dots, are fluorescent including developing efficient
materials that are well-suited as means of delivery, processes for
both therapeutic and diagnostic conservation of nanodot bioactivity
agents for cancer because of two and the enhancement of specificity
unique characteristics – they are towards the target cells.

MIMOS unwraps non- Australia to
invasive glucose monitor start clinical trials
for dementia
Malaysia’s national applied research and development ultrasound treatment
agency, MIMOS, has announced a major breakthrough
in medical device technology with the unveiling of a non- Safety testing of a pioneering ultrasound
invasive, non-intrusive and non-destructive device for technique that could delay the effects of
blood glucose screening. The device applies chemometrics dementia will begin in Brisbane late next
methods to analyze the near-infrared (NIRS) obtained in year, led by University of Queensland
absorbance mode through the user’s thumb spectra. Called (UQ) researchers. Federal Minister for
Health Greg Hunt MP has announced
GlucoSenz, the device is $10 million in funding, which along
the world’s first clinically- with philanthropic donations brings
tested non-invasive blood UQ closer to its $30 million goal to
screening prototype. It commence clinical trials and further
works by using photonics, progress the associated research. The
electronics and software phase 1 trial involving a small number
technologies to detect, of patients will explore whether the
analyse and predict blood technique developed at UQ’s Queensland
glucose level from the Brain Institute (QBI) in 2015 is safe to
blood capillaries of the use in the fight against the degenerative
human thumb without condition. According to UQ QBI Director
piercing the skin. To Professor Pankaj Sah, government
use the device, the thumb is placed on the thumb module, and philanthropic funding would help
where light will be projected. The reflected light is then researchers accelerate the development of
collected by a fibre-optic probe that guides the light to a the technique, understand the underlying
detector. The light spectrum is then analysed by a built-in mechanisms and how it might be used
software module. The blood glucose level result in mmol/L to more effectively treat dementia. The
then appears on the LCD display. The device is a result of a funding will support the 90-strong team
seven-year research and development by MIMOS’ photonics of researchers at QBI’s Clem Jones Centre
technology laboratory. Ethical approval for the device was for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR)
obtained from the Malaysia Medical Device Association; over the next five years.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)’s Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Science
(CUCMS) and the UKM Medical Centre (HUKM).

SCIENCE NEWS 43

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Singapore scientists
devise potent anti-malarials

A team of researchers from phosphine derivative, which is PolyU designs
the Singapore University of potent against metabolically robotic arm
Technology and Design (SUTD) active trophozoite stages of the for stroke
and Nanyang Technological parasite. Treatment of malaria patients
University (NTU) has developed parasites with G3 demonstrated
novel ferrocene-based molecules compromised digestive vacuole A research team at Hong
that impair the malaria parasite’s wherein the parasite degrades Kong Polytechnic University
metabolic function leading to human hemoglobin to facilitate (PolyU) has designed a
parasite death. The researchers growth and proliferation towards robotic arm to facilitate
have identified several molecules sustained infection. According to self-help and upper-limb
that exhibited impressive the researchers, such studies can mobile rehabilitation
antimalarial potency against help to understand the cellular for stroke patients after
standard laboratory as well as level changes arising from drug discharge from hospital.
drug-resistant strains of human treatment, some of which can be Being called a mobile exo-
malaria parasites. The top leveraged for prioritising novel neuro-musculo-skeleton,
inhibitory molecule, known as antimalarials, in view of rapidly the robotic arm enables
G3, is a gold complexed ferrocinyl evolving drug resistance. intensive and effective self-
help rehabilitation exercise.
Japan conducts world’s first The lightweight device is
iPS cell transplant for Parkinson’s said to be the first of its kind
to combine exo-skeleton,
A research team from Kyoto According to Jun Takahashi, soft robot and exo-nerve
University, Japan has conducted a professor at the university’s stimulation technologies.
the world’s first transplant Centre for iPS Cell Research and It is intended to cater to
of induced pluripotent stem Application, the team intends to the increasing need for
(iPS) cells to treat Parkinson’s develop a mass production system outpatient rehabilitation
disease. Nerve cells created from that enables the delivery of nerve service for stroke patients.
the artificially derived stem cells derived from iPS cells all When tested in a clinical
cells, known as iPS cells, were over the world. The clinical trial trial involving ten stroke
transplanted into the brain of the was carried out by the research patients, the robotic arm
patient in a treatment researchers centre and Kyoto University is reported to have led to
hope to develop into a method Hospital, with doctors verifying better muscle coordination,
that can be covered under the transplant’s safety and wrist and finger functions,
Japan’s health insurance system. effectiveness. and lower muscle spasticity
following 20 two-hour
training sessions. The
researchers plan to
collaborate with hospitals
and clinics for conducting
additional trials.

44 ACADEMIC S NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Tel Aviv, NU launch joint nanoscience programme

A new collaborative venture Under the new partnership,

between Northwestern two researchers from each

University (NU), US and Tel university will receive

Aviv University (TAU), Israel post-doctoral fellowships

brings together researchers supporting two years of

and students in the field of research at the partner

nanotechnology through joint institution. The new joint

research and development Northwestern-TAU venture

projects, student exchange also includes a student

programmes and research exchange programme, which

grants. The new nanotech will allow three graduate

collaboration is slated to offer up Northwestern’s International students from each institution to
Institute for Nanotechnology
to two research grants a year to will together select the winning study at the partner university and
projects, which will receive
support pilot projects that bear funding to cover the costs involved attend an annual nanotechnology
with completing proof of concept.
unique commercial potential. workshop and international

TAU’s Centre for Nanoscience conference on cutting-edge

and Nanotechnology and breakthroughs in the field.

PolyU, China NTU develops learning
Resources to establish
joint research centres tools for medical students

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU
(PolyU) has reached strategic collaborative Singapore) is pioneering the use of 3D-printed anatomical
research framework agreements with China specimens for medical education in Singapore. In
Resources Microelectronics Limited (CR November 2018, students at the Lee Kong Chian School
Micro) and China Resources Life Science of Medicine (LKCMedicine), jointly set up by NTU
Industry Development Co., Ltd (CR Life Singapore and Imperial College London, started learning
Science) respectively to explore the possibility anatomy with 3D-printed specimens. A collaboration
of establishing two joint research centres for between
novel micro-electronic devices and precision LKCMedicine
medicine. The agreements will strengthen the and NTU’s
strategic collaboration between the parties, Singapore
aiming to translate technologies research into Centre for 3D
practical applications. CR Micro and CR Life Printing, these
Science will provide resources and support to 3D-printed
PolyU researchers and will build a mutually specimens
beneficial platform with PolyU to advance the come in varying
transfer of research results into applications materials,
through close collaborations among industry, colours,
academia and research & development hardness and
(R&D) sector. PolyU will collaborate with CR flexibility to mimic the properties of anatomical structures
Life Science to develop frontier technology in a real human body – a first in Singapore. The made-
and products in life sciences and precision in-NTU 3D-printed specimens are the latest example of
medicine, covering both fundamental and NTU turning to innovative learning tools to prepare its
clinical research on precision medicine. The medical students, as the medical education landscape
collaboration will leverage the edges of the shifts in tandem with the influx of digital technologies.
two parties to conduct research on tumors, LKCMedicine is also looking into other pedagogical
cardiovascular diseases, endocrine and approaches such as a medical tutor powered by artificial
metabolic diseases and rare diseases. intelligence and a mobile app where virtual 3D animated
specimens can be accessed.

SUPPLIER NEWS 45

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

GE Healthcare to manufacture PerkinElmer
single-use consumables in China
receives CE-
GE Healthcare is to manufacture film, which simplifies the customer
single-use consumables for validation and approval processes IVD Mark for
bioprocessing in Weihai, China by incorporating GE’s full range of
in collaboration with Wego bioprocessing systems. The Chinese NIPT Platform
Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, one of biopharma market grew 8 per cent
the largest healthcare technology in 2017 and the estimated annual PerkinElmer, Inc., a
suppliers in the country. This growth rate (CAGR) for monoclonal global leader committed
collaboration will decrease antibodies (mAbs) is over 25 per to innovating for a
product delivery times for Chinese cent for the coming years – the rapid healthier world, recently
biopharmaceutical companies, development is supported by the announced that its
enhance customer support locally Chinese government’s Made in China Vanadis NIPT system has
and increase their access to a wide 2025 industry plan that emphasizes obtained CE-IVD mark
range of standard and custom biotechnical innovation. for commercialization
single-use products to help them and distribution
bring therapeutics to patients faster. throughout Europe and
The first single-use consumables other countries that
produced at Wego’s manufacturing accept CE marking.
facility will be available later this This non-invasive test
month, with continued offerings provides screening results
throughout 2019. All products will for trisomy 21 (Down
be manufactured using Fortem, syndrome), trisomy 18
GE Healthcare’s materially (Edwards syndrome)
advanced, single-use platform and trisomy 13 (Patau
syndrome). The Vanadis
Sartorius, Immunochina to advance NIPT system has been
immunotherapy development validated in an external
clinical study conducted
Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading international supplier of the in France. The blinded
biopharmaceutical industry, through its China affiliate, and Beijing-based study analyzed 80
Immunochina Pharmaceuticals, has announced that both parties have entered samples from pregnancies
into a collaboration. Under the terms of the relationship, Immunochina will affected by trisomy 21
gain preferred access to SSB’s bioprocess technology platform for development, and 670 samples from
scale-up and production, new unaffected pregnancies,
cellular immunotherapy production classifying all cases
equipment and related commercial- correctly, with only one
scale manufacturing expertise, while sample failing to generate
Immunochina will provide technical a result. In addition to
feedback to SSB. Founded in 2015, trisomy 21, PerkinElmer
Beijing-based Immunochina is conducted clinical
a clinical stage biotechnology studies to demonstrate
company developing best-in-class high sensitivity and
chimeric antigen receptor T-cell specificity for trisomies
(CAR-T) therapies and a lentiviral 18 and 13. Unlike existing
vector manufacturing platform. The NIPT technologies,
company’s lead programs target which require more
CD19 in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic complex platforms
Leukemia (B-ALL) and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, with several other drug such as sequencing or
candidates targeting liquid and solid tumors currently in development. microarrays, the Vanadis
NIPT platform is the first
of its kind designed to
simplify screening for
trisomies 21, 18 and 13.

46 SUPPLIER NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Philips, Allm to Thermo Fisher offers
develop mobile advanced experience to scientists
diagnostic
solutions Analytical scientists and The redesigned optical
laboratory managers seeking system consists of four
Royal Philips, a global leader in high-performing, multi- critical components
health technology, has announced functional instruments with – an infrared source,
a collaboration with Japanese low cost of ownership can interferometer, laser
healthcare informatics company, now benefit from a new FTIR and detector – to deliver
Allm Inc. to jointly develop spectrometer designed to exceptional instrument
innovative connected healthcare analyze complex samples performance and reliability.
solutions for acute care, mobile quickly and deliver fast, The new instrument enables
diagnostic solutions and home accurate results. analytical scientists in
care. The collaboration will focus The Thermo Scientific pharmaceutical, polymer,
on developing and integrating Nicolet iS20 FTIR chemical and forensics labs
Allm’s mobile communications spectrometer, which to identify unknown
solutions with Philips’ emergency is an upgrade over the
care and resuscitation products. well-established Thermo compounds, verify
As part of the agreement, Philips Scientific Nicolet incoming materials,
has acquired a minority interest iS10 FTIR
in Allm. As a global leader in spectrometer, conduct failure
emergency care and resuscitation, features new analysis and
Philips supports professional LightDrive conduct root
caregivers and lay responders in Optical cause studies
quickly and effectively responding Engine by easily
to emergencies wherever they occur. technology. collecting and
The company offers a wide range interpreting
of innovative emergency care and
resuscitation solutions, including FTIR data.
automated external defibrillators
(AEDs), advanced life support Lonza opens collaborative
monitors, and data management innovation centre in Israel
solutions. Allm will complement
and extend this offering with next- Lonza Pharma & Biotech has officially opened its Collaborative
generation technologies and medical Innovation centre (CIC) in the Haifa Life Science Park, Israel.
communications platforms for acute The CIC acts as a hub for partnerships to identify and accelerate
care, mobile diagnostic solutions & new solutions for biopharma manufacturing. The 1,000 mt
home care. Allm’s offering includes sq (10,764 ft sq) facility, including lab space equipped with
the smartphone application Fast-ED, cutting-edge bioprocessing and analytical equipment, is being
which is designed to assist ambulance made available to collaborating partners as a test bed for new
and emergency responders in the
field to evaluate the stroke patient ideas and technology. In addition to
condition during emergency. Allm infrastructure, Lonza will make funding
also offers MySOS, an app for first- and in-house expertise available for
aid support and personal health collaborative research into strategic areas
record. MySOS helps emergency of application relevant to a variety of
medical services achieve higher biopharma development needs. The CIC
survival rates, provides a community is open to ideas that might benefit Lonza
self-help platform, and reduces the customers and has already signed up
cost of medical treatment. with leading institutions in Israel on research projects in three
key focus areas: Expression systems and synthetic biology to
enable efficient scale up of the increasingly complex protein-
based constructs currently in early stage pipelines; Increasing
numbers of cell and gene therapies are advancing towards
commercialization but manufacturing technology remains
relatively immature; Data acquisition and analytics are essential
to driving efficiency and consistency in manufacturing processes.

PEOPLE NEWS 47

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Novartis announces new CEO IMCD appoints Haiko
Zuidhoff as VP, APAC
of Oncology Business Unit
IMCD N.V. has announced that Haiko Zuidhoff
Novartis has announced that Susanne Schaffert, has been appointed Vice President, APAC,
PhD, currently President, Advanced Accelerator which includes 10 operating markets for IMCD
Applications (AAA), a Novartis company, has been - Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand,
appointed CEO Novartis Oncology. She will report China, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Australia
to Vas Narasimhan, CEO, Novartis. Liz Barrett has and New Zealand. Effective December 1, 2018,
stepped down as CEO of Novartis Oncology effective this important development affirms IMCD’s
December 31, 2018. Susanne Schaffert joined Novartis commitment to growing
more than 20 years ago and has spent the last six the business in the Asia-
years in the Oncology business in leadership roles, Pacific region. In his new
including Region Head, Novartis Oncology Europe, role, Haiko will drive the
where she led that organization through 5 years development and execution
of sustained growth (excluding Glivec which lost of IMCD’s strategy and
exclusivity during this period). Earlier this year she expand the company’s
was appointed President, AAA, launching Lutathera, range of applications and
a radioligand therapy for the treatment of certain expertise in personal care,
cancers, in the US and EU. Also food & nutrition, coatings
during her tenure in Oncology, & construction, plastics and pharma. Haiko will
she was instrumental in the report to IMCD’s CEO, Piet van der Slikke and
GSK Oncology integration relocate to IMCD’s regional head office location in
and served on the Singapore. Haiko is a Dutch national and studied
Board of Directors of at Wageningen University, in the Netherlands
the Consumer Health and has MSc degree in Food Chemistry. He
joint venture between has worked and lived in Asia for more than 20
Novartis and GSK until years in various senior management roles. Since
early 2018. In addition, 2016, Haiko has been living in Bangkok where
Susanne was Head he worked as the Managing Director of Trouw
of Investor Nutrition Asia, a Nutreco company. Prior to
Relations, this, Haiko was stationed in Jakarta, Indonesia
Novartis, and Singapore running several businesses in
from 2010- chemicals, pharma and food & nutrition.
2013.

NUS SINAPSE Director to be Fellow of prestigious NAI

Professor Dean Ho, Director a prolific spirit of innovation in
of the Singapore Institute for creating or facilitating outstanding
Neurotechnology (SINAPSE) at the inventions that have made a
National University of Singapore tangible impact on quality of
(NUS), has been elected as a Fellow life, economic development,
of the United States National and welfare of society. He is the
Academy of Inventors (NAI), the only Singapore-based academic
highest professional accolade inventor to be elected as an NAI
for academic inventors. Prof Ho, Fellow this year. This is also
whose research covered artificial the first time an NUS academic
intelligence (AI) and its application has achieved this professional
towards personalised and precision distinction. The Fellowship will be
medicine, as well as emerging conferred on April 11, 2019 as part
areas of nanomedicine and of the Eighth NAI Annual Meeting
nanodiamond-based drug delivery, which will be held at the Space
is recognised for demonstrating Center Houston in Houston, Texas.

48 PEOPLE NEWS

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Dr Prahlad Singh Novartis India MD resigns
to lead new role
at PerkinElmer Novartis India has announced that India Managing Director
and Chairman, Milan Paleja has resigned and has decided to
PerkinElmer, Inc., a global leader step down from the company, with effect from May 31, 2019.
committed to innovating for a Paleja informed the company’s board that he plans to explore
healthier world, has announced that opportunities outside Novartis as a reason for his resignation.
its board of directors has named Dr The company’s board has requested the nomination and
Prahlad Singh as president and chief remuneration committee to identify and recommend a suitable
operating officer, effective January successor for the role. Paleja had been appointed after the
1, 2019. In his expanded position, previous Novartis Vice-Chairman and MD, Jawed Zia decided
Dr Singh will have responsibility for to step down mid-March, within days of his taking charge.
both the Discovery and Analytical Zia had been appointed in January to take charge from Ranjit
Solutions (DAS) and Diagnostics
operating divisions of the Company. Shahani who was leaving the company on
Dr Singh, along with the leaders of February 28, 2018. Paleja joined Sandoz
the Company’s corporate functions, India in 1982 in the Finance function. He
will continue to report to Robert F. has an extensive experience of over 21 years.
Friel, PerkinElmer’s chairman and In 2016, he was appointed as the Country
chief executive officer. Dr Singh joined President and Head Pharmaceuticals,
PerkinElmer in 2014 as president Novartis Indonesia. While in Indonesia, he
of the Diagnostics business. He was pioneered innovative access models, turned
elected an officer of PerkinElmer in around the business and laid the foundation
2016 and executive vice president for future growth. Earlier this year, he
in March 2018. Dr Singh served as was also appointed as the Country
general manager of GE Healthcare’s President, Novartis in India.
Women’s Health Business,
responsible for the mammography Dr Irina Buhimschi joins Shuwen
and bone densitometry businesses. Biotech as Scientific Advisor
Before that, Dr Singh held senior
executive level roles in strategy, China-headquartered innovative diagnostic company, Shuwen
business development and M&A at Biotech, announced that Dr Irina Buhimschi will support
both GE and Philips Healthcare. From its strategic plans by acting as an advisor to the company.
1995 to 2007, he held leadership roles The seasoned researcher brings over 25 years of experience
of increasing responsibility at DuPont in maternal fetal medicine, including biomarker discoveries
Pharmaceuticals and subsequently and diagnostic applications. Dr Buhimschi is the Director of
Bristol Myers Squibb Medical Imaging the Centre for Perinatal Research in the Research Institute at
which included managing the Asia Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics
Pacific and Middle East regions. and Obstetrics/Gynecology at The Ohio State University
in Columbus Ohio. Her work received numerous awards
of excellence at national and international meetings. She
has published more than 150 peer-reviewed publications
and served on numerous grant review committees for the
NIH, March of Dimes and private foundations. She is also
the Associate Editor for Pediatric Research and a member
of editorial boards for several subspecialty journals. Dr
Buhimschi’s laboratory previously at Yale University was
the first to identify misfolding of proteins and proteostasis
derangements in preeclampsia similar to those in Alzheimer’s
disease, and has developed the Congo Red test for diagnosis
of preeclampsia. Shuwen Biotech has licensed the patented
technologies and developed a low cost non-invasive point-of-
care detection device for preeclampsia which is expected to be
launched in the coming months.

COUNTRY REPORT 49

BIOSPECTRUM | JANUARY 2019 | www.biospectrumasia.com

Dignitaries at the opening of ‘Healthcare+Expo Taiwan’ a part of the ‘Taiwan Healthcare 2018’.

TAIWAN HEALTHCARE 2018

Tech meets Healthcare in Taiwan
Taiwan is known as the heart of the world’s tech
supply chain, offering high-quality products is sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of
in electronics. Now it is also the key driver of Taiwan (MOHW) and organized by TAITRA.
healthcare innovations and training with its leading IT
companies accelerating AI, IoT and robotic applications Taiwan’s techno-healthcare amalgamation resulting
for healthcare and biomedical sectors. It is exploiting its in cutting edge innovations, leading medical global
strengths in IT to be a major global player in healthcare technology, speciality training facilities, availability
by amalgamating the both. of array of healthcare services, the latest medtech
equipment was all on display at the Taiwan Healthcare+
As a result it is a very common sight in Taiwan health Expo which was centred around ‘MedicineXTechnology’
sector of robots & machines, 3D image solutions, virtual as the key driver.
reality and minimal invasive surgery methods are being
used largely in diagnosis, surgeries, procedures and This was the second expo which saw 30 per cent rise
treatments. in the participation of organisations, from over 1000
to 1358, said Jin Pyng Wang, Chairperson, Taiwan
The technological developments in the healthcare Healthcare Expo Committee and Chairman, Research
and the other factors like high quality medical services Centre for Biotechnology & Medicine Policy, in his
along with competitive pricing making the health welcome address at the inaugural ceremony of the Expo.
services comparatively affordable and national health
insurance scheme has put Taiwanese healthcare system In her inaugural address, President of Taiwan Tsai
in the forefront. Just recently it moved up from the 12th Ing-Wen hoped, “The expo will generate opportunities
position to the ninth in Bloomberg’s annual global to tap into international cooperation networks, and
healthcare efficiency list. create endless possibilities for Taiwan’s next-generation
healthcare technology industries.” She pointed out that
All these features of the Taiwanese healthcare Taiwan’s Medical Device Industry is a leader in Asia.
system are attracting patients not only from Taiwan, Taiwan is the number one exporter of electric wheel
but also from other countries, particularly from South chairs in the world, and the second largest exporter of
East Asia (SEA). artificial joints in Asia.

“More than 305,000 foreign patients came to Taiwan Jia-chyuan Su, President, Legislative yuan, said
to receive medical services, with one third of those Taiwan, a mecca of R&D, is capable of designing
from SEA countries,” informed Walter Yeh, President new solutions to meet the unsatisfied demands. “It
& CEO, Taiwan External Trade Development Council has already done good progress in high end medical
(TAITRA), to a visiting ‘Media Medical Delegation for products and will continue to divert its technology
Taiwan Healthcare 2018’. towards healthcare development. For the first time,
government medical industry, commercial industry and
“TAITRA will continue to promote the highest private enterprises have come together on a common
quality of Taiwanese medical services and technology to platform at the expo. The government will continue to
see Taiwan as the top choice for international medical support the med tech industry,” he promised.
service providers in Asia,” Yeh told the delegation which
The expo had a special pavilion for the starts-ups to

50 COUNTRY REPORT

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showcase their innovations. It exhibited among others only eight minutes with new technology, “said Dr Chen.
the snapshot hyperspectral image inspection technology Besides innovation and developing health and
and portable, non-invasive blood flow meter developed
by National Chung Shan Institute of Science & medical technologies, Taiwan’s healthcare system
Technology; Industrial Technology Research Institute’s also gives stress on advanced medical training. ‘Train
(ITRI) portable Molecular Diagnostics System; Prolieve the trainers’, the slogan of Ministry of Health and
as safe and effective treatment option for symptomatic Welfare’s booth at the healthcare expo, underlines
BPH patients; IVD test kit for endometrial cancer. the importance it attaches to training the doctors in
the Taiwan healthcare system. Taiwan International
Yeh informed, TAITRA has a start-up division to Healthcare Training Center (TIHTC) is a platform that
promote innovations. “We provide a framework and shares Taiwan’s medical advancements to the world
arrange one to one meetings for start-ups,” he said. and nurtures international healthcare professionals.

IRCAD Taiwan in the Chang Bin Show Chwan This can be seen from the fact that there had been
hospital conducts training for doctors from all over the nearly 2800 international trainees in Taiwanese
world at its state of the art training facility. In a decade hospitals from 2014 to 2018 (till October). About 200
it has trained over 7,000 surgeons in various surgical of them were from India. TIHTC not only provides
fields. It has also created an environment for incubation professional training programme but also helps foreign
of new medical and surgical technology. It is not only a medical professionals to find the most suitable training
training centre but also a place for scientific research. programme under the TIHTC partner hospitals
network, which has 30 partner hospitals.
Functional direction of IRCAD is two folds. “We
wish to continue to working closely with Asian surgical “Video Consultation, trauma centres, DaVinci
societies and experts to continue providing surgical robotic surgery, hybrid operation rooms are the
training. Secondly we hope to continue in the area specialities of the Taiwan hospitals,” said Dr Yen-
of surgical innovation and research with an aim to Chuan, vice superintendent, Tungs’ Taichung Metro
provide the best tools for surgeons to use as we believe Harbor Hospital. Dr Ming-Chi Yung, Deputy Director
in Chinese saying ‘sharp tool make good work,’” said Dr of International Healthcare Centre, Taipei Medical
Wayne Huang, Director, IRCAD, Taiwan. University Hospital, said Taiwan healthcare works
on 4 ‘P’s, (Priority, Painless, Paperless and payless.”
Its incubation centre has developed the world’s first Payless is possible due to Taiwan’s effective healthcare
and only endoscope visualization system, MonoStereo insurance system.
3D, with easy-set, easy-alter adjustable 3D effects
which overcomes the limitations of conventional 3D The health insurance Taiwan provides is
systems, providing a new perspective on surgical comprehensive. Both inpatient and outpatient care are
imaging. “It is the first 3D image system which provides covered, as well as dental care, over-the-counter drugs
depth perception and spatial view of anatomy. However and traditional Chinese medicine. However, the experts
the 2D function like zooming and rotating are reserved feel Taiwan has an aging population and a low birth rate
at the same time,” said Dr Kai-Che Liu, Director, R&D that will push upward the total cost of care.
and Director, Incubation Centre, IRCAD and CEO,
MedicalTek. “It is both Mono and Stereo. You may keep Taiwan has got a number of hospitals. “It has 600
2D, see 3D,” Dr Liu explained further. private hospitals, about 85 per cent of the total, and
they provide 70 per cent of healthcare services,’ said
Brain Navi Biotechnology Co. which is known for Dr Yi-Hong Chu, President, Taiwan Non-governmental
its autopilot for neurosurgery recently released its Hospitals and Clinical Association. Taiwan faces
first medical device NaoTrac, a surgical navigation problem of growing shortage of doctors and other
robot that provides precise GPS like imagery. It uses medical staff. In one hospital the entire section could
camera-based computer vision algorithms to estimate not be started due shortage of nursing staff.
3D geometry and motion during surgeries. With this
system surgeons can develop surgery plan with the help Despite such issues and problems, Taiwan
of pre-operative imagery and MRI scans of internal healthcare has many achievements. Its leadership in
body structures. reconstructive microsurgery and cultivating renowned
reconstructive surgeons globally is an asset. “This
“It makes surgery safer, faster and more accurate. consolidates Taiwan’s leadership in medical sciences,”
Thanks to this ‘first in human’ robotic surgery Brain concludes Prof Fu-Chan Wei, Researcher, National
Navi reached a significant milestone,” said Dr Chen, Research Centre.
CEO, Brain Navi Biotechnology, when a patient
underwent brain surgery with assistance from robot (Milind Kokje was in Taiwan on invitation from
NaoTrac at Tzu Chi Hospital in November. “A deep Taiwan External Trade Development Council –
brain procedure that takes eight hours would require TAITRA- as a part of Medical Media Delegation for
Taiwan Healthcare 2018)