BioSpectrum India June 2022

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4 BIO CONTENT BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

BIOINCUBATORS SURVEY 2021 15

PUNE-BASED

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DEVELOPMENT CENTER
(VENTURE CENTER)
GAINS No 1 POSITION IN

BIOSPECTRUM BIOINCUBATOR
SURVEY 2020-21

BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 27

INDIAN BIOSERVICES
INDUSTRY CROSSES

Rs 32K Cr WITH
GROWTH OF 10% IN 2020-21

28

PIRAMAL
PHARMA
SOLUTIONS
REPTOAISNISTNIOoN1

IN INDIAN
BIOSERVICES

INDUSTRY

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIO CONTENT 5

Top Video

COVER DESIGN BY: Dr Chinmaya
DOMINIX STRATEGIC DESIGN PVT. LTD. Chigateri,
Chief Executive
Officer, Healthminds
Consulting
elaborates on how
the Continuing
Medical Education
space is evolving in
India as compared to
Western countries.

AIM-PRIME 23

Equipping Deep Tech Innovators to Aim High Scan the QR Code »

Speaking With 44 Dr Karthik
Narayan,
Managing Director,
Athulya Senior
Care shares
his views on
how assistive
technology for the
elderly population
in India can be
enhanced.

“India will continue to leverage Scan the QR Code »
existing capabilities and lead in
clinical trials for biosimilars and Dr Rajarshi Pal,
complex generics” Co-founder &
Jinu Jose, Vice President, Chief Scientist,
Eyestem Research
Head – Sales and Clinical Operations, talks about
R&D Solutions, IQVIA India the challenges
facing stem cells
Regulars research in India.

BioEdit .......................................................................... 06 Scan the QR Code »
BioMail ......................................................................... 08
Policy and Regulatory News..................................... 10
Finance News.............................................................. 12
Company News.......................................................... 13
Start-up News............................................................. 14
Academics News........................................................ 46
R&D News.................................................................... 47
Let’s Talk Health.......................................................... 50

6 BIO EDIT BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

…Twice Shy?

First the good news from the $50 billion worth The NAFDAC has alerted the Pharmaceutical Export
pharma sector. India’s pharma export has Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) over unethical
touched Rs 1,83,422 crore in 2021-22. It has and unprofessional practices of Indian manufacturers
grown 103 per cent from Rs 90,415 crore in 2013-14. and exporters regarding product package design and
The world imports 60 per cent of the global vaccines drug formulations for prescription only medicines.
and 20 per cent of generic drugs from India. Even
during the pandemic in 2020-21 the Indian pharma The medicines are being exported with outrageous
sector managed to maintain the growth by exporting and unapproved pictorial representation, with changes
$24.4 billion worth of drugs, 18 per cent more over the to product formulations, in connivance with Nigerian
previous year. The top five export destinations are the importers. It is leading to importers, exporters
United States, the UK, South Africa, Russia and Nigeria. and manufacturers altering the approved product
formulation, colour and package design in order to
Here’s where the story takes a turn. Nigeria has improve the pictorial appeal of prescription medicines
accused Indian pharma manufacturers and exporters to patients. Pharmexcil has conveyed the NAFDAC’s
of indulging in unethical and unprofessional practices concerns to its members.
in connivance with Nigerian importers. Nigeria’s
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration The manufacturers and exporters have six months
and Control (NAFDAC) has not merely accused the to take corrective action. The NAFDAC’s deadline to
Indian exporters, but has stopped the shipment of clear consignments violating approved formulations
over 80 medicine products from India and China and package designs ends on October 30. But, from
over fraudulent activities by the manufacturers. November 1, any product violating the norms will
Such steps taken by Nigeria are very significant be confiscated on reaching in Nigeria and the erring
from two points. Firstly, Nigeria is among the top importer and manufacturer/exporter will be subjected
five destinations of Indian pharma exports. Nigeria to strict penalties, sanctions, product deregistration and
imported pharmaceuticals worth $666 million in 2020 consequent blacklisting.
and $564.92 million in 2021 from India, as per the UN’s
COMTRADE database on international trade. Secondly, Similar to the actions initiated 20 years back to
such an accusation from Nigeria is being levelled for the deal with the problem of sub-standard and fake drugs
second time in the last two decades. export, now a new kind of corrective mechanism and
procedures will have to be evolved to tackle the new
In 2003, over Nigeria’s threat to ban import of all problem of unethical and unprofessional practices.
drugs from countries that export fake drugs, India If required, like then, the government will have to
agreed to take measures to tackle the problem. The intervene to control the bad elements from maligning
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria had then said that 70 the country’s name.
per cent of the drugs in circulation were fake and most
imported fake and substandard drugs came from India, Katherine Eban, in her 2019 book ‘Bottle of Lies’
China, Pakistan, Egypt and Indonesia. had exposed the bad manufacturing practices of an
Indian drug producing firm. Experts claim that the
Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the situation has improved a lot thereafter and several
then Minister of State for Commerce and Industry points in the book are no longer relevant. But, the
had visited Nigeria and assured the Nigerian drug points made by her keep haunting the Indian pharma
authorities that India has institutionalised pre-export sector when accusations over unethical practices and
inspections to control export of substandard drugs. unprofessionalism, like the one made recently by
India had then promised to send a list of blacklisted NAFDAC, are made. Finding a permanent solution is
Indian drug manufacturers and companies involved in the only way. Can a shift from a traditional, family-
fake products to NAFDAC. owned management to a professionally-owned and
managed one be ‘just what the doctor ordered’?
After 20 years, NAFDAC has raised a similar issue,
albeit, with a little difference. The complaint this Dr Milind Kokje
time is about unethical and unprofessional practices. Chief Editor

[email protected]



8 BIO MAIL BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Vol 20; Issue 5; May 2022

Acknowledgements/ Views

Thank you so much for the take on Biological E in the biopharma industry
ranking issue of BioSpectrum India

- Vijay Kammari, Hyderabad

India has grown to be a biotechnology and pharmaceuticals hot spot and a
hub for manufacturing small molecule generics, vaccines and insulins.

- Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Bengaluru

While India continues to experience strong growth overall, an aspect of the
industry that is seeing similar levels of growth is biopharma. The pandemic
has also brought to light the need for more funding for medical innovation,
which accounts for two-thirds of the global pharmaceutical industry.

- Vinay K Mayer, New Delhi

There is a growing need for pharma companies to provide innovative
solutions that address the new challenges that healthcare providers and
patients are facing.

- S Aparna, New Delhi

Vol 20; Issue 6; June 2022 MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications

Publisher & Managing Editor: South Region New Delhi INTERNATIONAL
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10 POLICY AND REGULATORY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

DCGI approves COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5-12 yrs

Drugs Controller General supplies. Bharat Biotech has performed a multi-centric,
of India (DCGI) has given readily made available more than Phase 2/3 clinical trial
its nod for emergency 50 million doses of COVAXIN in 624 children aged
use authorisation of in vials, and more than 200 between 5 and 18 in two
Bharat Biotech’s BBV152 million doses as drug substance. age subsets. As a part of
(COVAXIN) and Biological Additional production capacity the trial, children were
E (BE)’s CORBEVAX in is also available to meet product administered two doses of
children 5-12 years of demand. On the other hand, BE 0.5 ml each of the vaccine
age. Bharat Biotech had or placebo in a gap of 28
conducted phase II/III, open- days. BE has manufactured 30
label, and multicentre studies to crore doses of CORBEVAX and
evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, has already supplied nearly 10
and immunogenicity of crore doses to the Government
COVAXIN in healthy children of India. Currently, over 3 crore
and adolescents in the 2-18 age doses of CORBEVAX have been
group. Fresh stocks of COVAXIN administered in children between
are available and ready for 12 and 15 years of age.

Govt targets transformation India conducts
of academic research to
commercially applicable tech nationwide

To encourage innovation and research and to facilitate epidemiological
the entrepreneurship in National Institutes of
Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs), the diabetes study
Department of Pharmaceuticals, after considering the
National Innovation & Startup Policy 2019, National A nationwide study funded by the Indian
IPR Policy 2016 and similar policies of other institutes Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
or departments, has prepared ‘Common Guidelines on and coordinated by the Madras Diabetes
Pharmaceutical Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ for Research Foundation, has found that
academic institutions under its control. The policy aims only a third of individuals with known
to transform the academic research into innovative diabetes in India have good control of
and commercially applicable technologies or products; diabetes, fewer than half have good
build a strong ecosystem for nurturing creativity and control of blood pressure and LDL (bad)
entrepreneurial activities and contribute to self-reliant cholesterol, and only 7.7 per cent meet all
India mission. The guidelines aims to encourage the faculty three targets. The study, comprising a vast
or staff members and students to pursue entrepreneurship; sample size of 113, 043 people across 30
formulate policies and foster an ecosystem to generate States and Union Territories of India, is
ideas across disciplines that can be transformed the first extensive epidemiological study
into successful technologies, products, and services; consisting of participants from all across
establish a mechanism for technology development and the country. The results of the study have
technology transfer; create institutional framework for been published in The Lancet Diabetes
effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and Endocrinology. The study revealed
of the policy; and promote pharmaceutical innovation that 36.3 per cent of the population with
and entrepreneurship to foster the unmet therapeutic, diabetes achieved good glycemic control,
socially impactful technologies delivering benefits to 48.8 per cent achieved good blood pressure
mankind. These policy guidelines, finalised with approval control and 41.5 per cent achieved LDL
of the Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, have been cholesterol control. Higher education, male
forwarded to all NIPERs for taking up further steps for sex, rural residence and shorter duration
their speedy and effective implementation. of diabetes were associated with better
achievement of the combined goals of
diabetes treatment.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 11

Screw Cap Vials- The New
Container Closure Tubes for your
Pricey Reagents and Valuable Samples

For accurate biological test results that are both fast Product Pictures
and clinically meaningful, proper specimen and
reagent handling are critical. Along with proper test
utilization, proper specimen handling is a crucial aspect in
enhancing the cost-effectiveness and clinical relevance of
microbiological testing.
The goal of this article is to look at recent advances
in sample handling, particularly collection, that canbe
used to shift traditional procedures in microbiology
investigations such as Clinical or Molecular research.

What are Screw Cap Vials?
Small bottles or containers constructed of plastic, glass, or
silicone are known as vials. As with the majorityof things.
There may appear to be an unlimited number of Vials. We
normally classify vials according to their intended function.
Screw Cap Tubes are preferred when liquid samples and
high-cost reagents are required.
Unlike ordinary Blood sampling tubes, it can be like a bottle
or tube and have a Conical Bottom, Flat Bottom, or Self-
standing.

Why should you use Screw Cap Vials? 3.Tubes and screw caps Material- The Septum and
When thinking about the components in a vial, we Screw cap are made of the same material, resulting
have to consider a range of variables in the Life in the same expansion coefficient, making it
Science industry, such as storage methods, chemical excellent for freezing and boiling applications such
inertness, and durability. In addition, we must consider the as water baths (Withstand a broad range of
application, such as whether the vial will be used withan temperatures -80 to 121 degrees Celsius)
automated sampler machine, stored, or transported, and 3. Compatibility- These tubes are compatible with
select a cap accordingly. Also, ensure that the cap material most racks and storage systems and can be utilized
is inert and has the same expansion coefficient as the melt in avariety of microcentrifuges.
and boil points. 4. Storage- Suitable for filling radioactive,
pathogenic, and expensive compounds for long-
“Screw Cap Tubes” with EPDM “O” ring manufactured term storage, as well as any application requiring
by ABDOS Life Sciences ensures excellent sealing and freezing, boiling, or irradiation.
prevents evaporation of high-cost reagents. 5. Samples and reagents that are sensitive to light-
Tube colors include ultra-high clarity, natural color, and
Pharmaceutical firms, diagnostic centers, nutraceutical an Amber option that gives UV protection.
companies, and food processing companies all use Screw 6. Compatible with Automated Systems-
Cap vials as an all-rounder for their work in Life Sciences Screwcap tubes are intended to handle high torque
tests, research, and development. pressure associated with Automation, whether it is
used for filling, capping, or labeling.
• In sterile or classified areas 7. One-handed operation
• With test kits Knurl tubes can lock into customized racks and
• During highly sensitive analyses provide additional grip during in-hand activities.

Applications & ABDOS advantage- Author: Gaurav Sharda
Assistant Manager- Product & Marketing
1. Samples or reagents, such as buffers, enzymes,and
highly concentrated or expensive chemicals, must Source: ABDOS Life Science
be stored and transported- The EPDM ‘O’ ring from
ABDOS ensure good sealing and prevents evaporation.

2. Ideal for high-quality oligonucleotide sample
collection, processing, and storage- Low binding
qualities,improved sample recovery, and leakproof

12 FINANCE NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Dr Agarwal’s Health Care raises Rs 1050 Cr

Chennai-based Dr pave the way for an exit for the Group of Eye Hospitals
Agarwal’s Health Care existing investor, ADV Partners. plans to deploy capital to
has closed a landmark The new investment will be expand the current network
fundraise of Rs 1050 used to expand the Indian and of 105 hospitals to over 200
crore from TPG Growth, international footprint and deploy hospitals in the next three
the middle market and the latest technologies for super- to four years. The company
growth equity platform of speciality eye care. Dr Agarwal’s notched revenue of over Rs
alternative US-based asset 700 crore in FY22. The new
firm Texas Pacific and investments will enable it
existing investor Temasek, to double the network in
a global investment company the next three years and to pursue
headquartered in Singapore. acquisitions in key markets such
The investment round, which is as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab,
India’s largest fundraising in the Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
eyecare space, will also provide Telangana, etc. as well as a rapid
significant capital to fuel the greenfield expansion of the
company’s expansion plans and network across the country.

PAG-led API platform Eris acquires
buys Optimus Drugs
Oaknet Healthcare
Alternative investment firm PAG, focused on Asia-Pacific, has
announced that its private equity strategy along with consortium for Rs 650 Cr
partners CX Partners and Samara Capital, has reached an
agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Hyderabad-based Eris Lifesciences has acquired 100
pharmaceutical firm Optimus Drugs. It is a vertically integrated per cent stake in Mumbai-based
manufacturer of pharmaceutical products including advanced dermatology focused domestic
intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations company Oaknet
finished drugs. The deal marks the second acquisition by the Healthcare for a total consideration of
consortium’s API platform, Sekhmet Pharmaventures, which Rs 650 crore. The deal will be financed
aims to develop a best-in-class hub for the development and by Rs 300 crore of internal accruals
production of bulk drug ingredients. In 2020, the consortium and Rs 350 crore of borrowings. The
acquired control of Chennai-based API manufacturer Anjan acquisition will be completed by
Drugs. The businesses of the two companies are highly way of a share purchase agreement
complementary and will provide a solid foundation for the as a result of which Oaknet will
platform to make further acquisitions. PAG views India as a become a wholly-owned subsidiary
particularly attractive market. As of December 31, 2021, PAG of Eris. Eris’ Specialty Franchise will
has invested over $580 million in private equity deals in India, get a significant impetus with this
including the 2021 acquisition of Acme Formulation, a leading acquisition with Eris now present in 87
contract development and manufacturing outsourcing (CDMO) per cent of the Rs 55,000 crore chronic
company with a focus on complex pharmaceutical products. market, with a leading presence in the
major chronic therapies – cardiology,
oral diabetes care, insulin, Neuro/CNS
and dermatology.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com COMPANY NEWS 13

Bharat Biotech to Abbott
develop ‘variant-proof’ unveils
COVID-19 vaccine HBsAg
Next Assay
Norway-based Coalition for will fund the researchers to conduct to detect
Epidemic Preparedness Innovations activities including immunogen Hepatitis B
(CEPI) is providing funding of up design, preclinical studies,
to $19.3 million to support the manufacturing process development Abbott has launched
development of a ‘variant-proof’ and a Phase 1 clinical trial. In this HBsAg Next Qualitative
SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate to new vaccine design, modified solution in India to
an international multidisciplinary trimeric spike immunogens will enhance the detection
consortium comprising Hyderabad- be produced in a robust and of the Hepatitis B virus
based Bharat Biotech International scalable process with high purity (HBV). This assay
Ltd (BBIL), the University of and yield at low cost, based on a will help improve
Sydney, Australia and ExcellGene biomanufacturing approach that has patient outcomes while
SA, Switzerland. CEPI’s funding will provided significant quantities of maintaining safe blood
support the consortium as it seeks supplies. The sensitive
to establish preclinical and clinical protein therapeutics to the chemiluminescent
proof of concept for an adjuvanted world. This strategy could microparticle
subunit vaccine designed to provide also be used to enable immunoassay (CMIA)
broad protection against assists in the early and
all known SARS-CoV-2 rapid development of enhanced detection of
variants of concern, broadly protective HBV in human serum and
as well as future vaccines against other plasma (blood) samples
variants of the beta coronaviruses, as and population screening.
virus which well as vaccines against The HBsAg Next
have not yet Qualitative assay is an
emerged. CEPI Disease X—unknown advanced, next-generation
pathogens with pandemic solution to better support
potential that emerge in the earlier detection of
the future. HBV. It detects HBV
surface antigen (HBsAg)
Pfizer opens global drug in human serum and
development centre in Chennai plasma. Moreover, it
overcomes traditional
Pfizer has set up a global drug development centre at the Indian Institute of challenges by showcasing
Technology (IIT) Madras Research Park in Chennai. The centre’s capabilities the highest level of assay
will include the development of both active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) performance required
and finished dosage forms (FDFs) of differentiated products. The centre will to detect infection in
develop and support products in global markets and Pfizer’s manufacturing immunocompromised
centres worldwide. The company has invested $20 groups.
million in the 61,000 sq ft research and technology
centre at the IIT Madras Research Park. While this centre
will be a part of a network of 12 global centres set up
worldwide, it is the first and only one at present being set
up by Pfizer in Asia. This facility employs 250+ scientists
and professionals from a range of scientific disciplines
including Formulation Scientists and Pharmacists,
Analytical Scientists with expertise in process, analytical and formulation
medicinal sciences, Life Science specialists such as Microbiologists and
Biotechnologists, Chemical Engineers, Data Scientists, and Programme
Managers. The centre integrates two essential functions under the export-
oriented undertaking of Pfizer: Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) and
Global Technology and Engineering (GT&E) Centre of Excellence.

14 START UP NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

BIRAC launches Redcliffe raises
$61M to expand access to
angel investor affordable diagnostic tests

network for Noida-based startup Redcliffe Lifetech has raised $61 million
led by LeapFrog Investments (LeapFrog), with participation
biotech startups from Healthquad, Schroders, LC Nueva, Growth Spark Ventures
and existing investors Chiratae Ventures and Alkemi Venture
To unlock the potential Partners. The investment will be used to expand Redcliffe’s
of Indian startups, the geographic reach across India, with a focus on expanding its
Biotechnology Industry Research
Assistance Council (BIRAC) low-cost but high quality Direct to
has collaborated with the Consumer Diagnostics into tier 2, 3 and
Indian Angel Network (IAN) 4 cities, providing affordable, rapid,
to launch an angel investor and convenient pathology services
network, BioAngels. It is the from glucose to genetics in millions of
country’s first sector-focused households. Funding will also be used to
angel investor group to fuel scale Redcliffe’s platform and increase
the growth of startups from its product offerings to radiology, disease
Biotech – the sunrise sector. data profiling and lifestyle management,
Sub-domains include Medtech, furthering its mission to shift India’s
Healthtech, Pharma, Cleantech healthcare focus from treatment to
& Agritech. The biotech sector early diagnosis and prevention. Redcliffe delivers world-class
has potential for cascading diagnostics services in its network of 22state-of-the-art labs across
multiplier effect to contribute to 14 cities, several of which are already NABL accredited.
India’s economic growth target
of a $5 trillion economy by Medtech startup Agatsa secures
2025. BioAngels is an inclusive Rs 125 M from cardio experts
platform that engages early-
stage investors from India and Medtech startup Agatsa, based in Noida, has raised Rs 125 million
overseas from different angel to grow business operations and expand the product line. The
investor groups, to fund and company aims to revolutionise the cardiac care industry in India.
nurture high-quality startups, With this new funding, the company is ready to scale new heights and
with both money and mentoring make its products more accessible to its consumers. Key investors
backed with critical sectoral include seasoned medical experts- Dr Ramakant Panda, MCh,
expertise. BioAngels’s vision is
to become the platform of choice Chief Consultant for Cardiovascular Thoracic
for investors and innovative Surgery and the Vice Chairman and MD of the
startups to build globally Asian Heart Institute, BKC, Mumbai; Dr Tejas
competitive companies. BIRAC, Patel, a renowned cardiologist and Chairman of
the not-for-profit Public Sector Apex Heart Institute, Ahmedabad; Dr Ashish
Enterprise of the Department Parikh, Interventional Clinical Cardiologist
of Biotechnology, Government and Chairman of Heart and Vascular Clinic
of India, has been instrumental in Delaware, US, Ahmedabad based Desai
in supporting the technology Family and Hemal Patel, a successful serial
led startups right from ideation, entrepreneur. Fairprep Ally (India) represented
incubation, and acceleration for by CEO Nirav Thakkar, based in Ahmedabad,
commercialisation. By partnering Gujarat has facilitated the funding transaction as the investment
with IAN, it fills up a critical gap banker. Agatsa is also gearing up for expansion in the US and European
of Angel money requirement to markets with their CE and FDA certification under process. Agatsa
make Startups Venture Capital has innovated the world’s first pocket 12-Lead ECG device which is 99
(VC) investment ready by per cent accurate and is being used by both doctors and heart patients
unlocking high quality business in India for quick diagnosis/detection of cardiac problems.
mentoring and industry networks
for the startups.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOINCUBATORS SURVEY 2021 15

PUNE-BASED

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DEVELOPMENT CENTER
(VENTURE CENTER)
GAINS No 1 POSITION IN

BIOSPECTRUM BIOINCUBATOR
SURVEY 2020-21

BioSpectrum Top BioIncubators 2021*

Sr. Company Location Total
No Inception Category percentage

point

1 Entrepreneurship Development Center (Venture Center) Pune 2007 Private 34

2 KIIT Technology Business Incubator Bhuvaneshwar 2009 Private 14

3 Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre Bangalore 2015 Public 11

4 Crescent Innovation & Incubation Council Chennai 2019 Private 9

5 C-CAMP Bengaluru 2009 Public 8

6 Atal Incubation Centre Hyderabad 2017 Public 7
(Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology)

7 BITS BIRAC BioNEST, BITS, Pilani K. K. Birla Goa Campus Goa 2019 Private 5
Hyderabad 2018 Public 5
8 ASPIRE BioNEST Savli (Gujarat) 2017 Public 4

9 Savli Technology &Business Incubator (STBI) Manipal 2019 Private 4
(Karnataka)
10 Manipal-GoK Bioincubator

* We have not covered some of the leading BioIncubators as they have not participated in the BioSpectrum BioIncubator Survey 2021

BIOSPECTRUM BIOINCUBATORS BIOINCUBATOR COMPANIES
SURVEY AND METHODOLOGY

BioSpectrum India, a leading B2B media shared information with us to the extent it was
platform in Lifesciences space since 2003 possible by them.
has re-launched its ranking special edition
in June 2019 after gap of 2 years. In this # For all the ranking purposes we have taken four
survey we looked at BioIncubators (both parameters - No. of incubatees joined, Funds raised,
private and public) spread across India based on their Space available for incubation at the centre, MoUs
achievements in the past financial year – 2020-21. signed by the BioIncubator with other agencies to
A detailed questionnaire (survey form) was sent attract enterprises/ entrepreneurs during 2020-21.
to over 40 BioIncubators to capture the needed We have considered the names of the BioIncubators
information for the year 2020-21 for the analysis. This who have participated in the survey, as we didn’t
was done during April – May 2022. BioIncubators received the filled in forms from some of other
BioIncubators.

16 BIOINCUBATORS SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

BioSpctrum Top BioIncubators 2021* (Private)

Sr. Company Location Inception Total percentage
No point
Pune 2007 34
1 Entrepreneurship Development Center (Venture Center) Bhuvaneshwar 2009
2019 14
2 KIIT Technology Business Incubator Chennai 2019
Goa 2019 9
3 Crescent Innovation & Incubation Council
Manipal (Karnataka) 5
4 BITS BIRAC BioNEST, BITS, Pilani K. K. Birla Goa Campus
4
5 Manipal-GoK Bioincubator

* We have not covered some of the leading BioIncubators as they have not participated in the BioSpectrum BioIncubator Survey 2021

BioSpectrum Top BioIncubators 2021* (Public)

Sr. Company Location Inception Total percentage
No point

1 Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre Bangalore 2015 11

2 C-CAMP Bengaluru 2009 8

3 Atal Incubation Centre (Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology) Hyderabad 2017 7

4 ASPIRE BioNEST Hyderabad 2018 5

5 Savli Technology &Business Incubator (STBI) Savli (Gujarat) 2017 4

* We have not covered some of the leading BioIncubators as they have not participated in the BioSpectrum BioIncubator Survey 2021

Entrepreneurship Development Center (Venture Center), Pune leads the table in Funds
raised in life sciences space category with Rs 150 crore in 2020-21 followed by KIIT

Technology Business Incubator, Bhuvaneshwar which has raised Rs 21 crore and Bangalore
Bioinnovation Centre (Rs 20 crore) during the year.

Entrepreneurship Private BioIncubators KIIT Technology
Development are leading the table Business
Center (Venture of No of incubatees Incubator,
Center), Pune joined in 2020-21 Bhubaneshwar
leads the table of category with Pune- with 90,000 sq ft
Memorandum of based Entrepreneurship leads the table of
Understandings Development Center Space available for
(MoUs) signed (Venture Center), incubation at the
in 2020-21 with attracting 70 centre for the year
30 followed by incubatees, followed 2020-21 followed
KIIT Technology by Crescent Innovation by Bangalore
Business Incubator, & Incubation Council, BioInnovation
Bhuvaneshwar with Chennai and Bangalore Centre, Bangalore
27 MoUs and Atal Bioinnovation with 60,000
Incubation Centre Centre attracting sq ft and
(Centre for Cellular 20 incubatees and Entrepreneurship
& Molecular Savli Technology Development
Biology) (AIC- &Business Incubator Center (Venture
CCMB), Hyderabad (STBI), attracting 19 Center), Pune with
with 21 MoUs. incubatees in 2020-21. 34,481 sq ft.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOINCUBATORS SURVEY 2021 17

ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT CENTER (VENTURE CENTER), PUNE 01

DR V PREMNATH, Founding Director & Secretary

The Venture Center in Pune is the trademark the entry of 70 new startups into the incubator.
of Entrepreneurship Development Center The key highlight of this fiscal was the generation
(EDC). Since its inception in 2007, it offers of Rs 150 crore worth funding in the life sciences
a diverse array of services that are accessible to space. FY 20-21 also saw the signing of 24 local and
all innovators and entrepreneurs. The center has 6 international Memorandums of Understanding
also established a joint venture with BIRAC as (MoUs) by the incubator. Venture Center aims to be
the BIRAC Regional Bioinnovation Center (BRBC) the organisation that will be credited with creating,
since 2018. Within the space of 51317 sq ft, out shaping and sustaining a world-class cluster of
of which 34481 sq ft is available for incubation innovative and knowledge-intensive biotechnology
purpose, a total number of 85 companies can be and biomed businesses in the Pune region with a
accommodated in physical sense. Virtual mode significant economic impact regionally, nationally
can enhance this number further. FY 20-21 saw and globally by 2027.

KIIT TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS INCUBATOR (KIIT-TBI), BHUBANESHWAR 02

DR. MRUTYUNJAY SUAR, Chief Executive Officer

KIIT Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI), to accommodate around 175 startups in total. During
recipient of National Award for TBI in 2017 is a non- FY 20-21, the KIIT-TBI raised funds worth Rs 21 crore in
profit Section (8) incubator established in 2009, as the life sciences space, in addition to Rs 97 crore raised
an initiative of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology by incubates through PE fund. The incubator signed
(KIIT) Deemed to be University, Bhubaneshwar. around 27 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in
The bioincubator has established BIRAC Regional FY 20-21. For the future, KIIT-TBI plans to spread its wings
Techno-Entrepreneurship Promotion Centre (BRTC) in in various parts of the East and North East regions of
association with BIRAC, to promote entrepreneurship India. It is planning to set up Biotech Innovation Hubs
and technology development in the east and north in other states like Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland.
east region of India. KIIT-TBI currently houses 116 KIIT-TBI has now partnered with Pandit Ravi Shankar
startups in the life sciences space within the available Shukla University at Raipur to help them to establish the
area of 90000 sq ft. The bioincubator has the capacity bioincubator with support from BIRAC.

BANGALORE BIOINNOVATION CENTRE (BBC), BENGALURU 03

DR JITENDRA KUMAR, Managing Director

The Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) is development of around 15 products related to COVID-19
an initiative of Karnataka Biotechnology and research during the year. FY 20-21 also witnessed the
Information Technology Services (KBITS), launch of a support platform by BBC for innovators
Department of IT, BT and S&T, Government of developing products for fighting against COVID-19
Karnataka with a liberal funding support from including diagnostics and therapeutics. The incubator
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of was also a part of the COVID-19 Innovation Challenge
India. It is located within Bangalore Helix Biotechnology organised by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health
Park at Electronic City, Bengaluru. Established in 2015, Sciences, Karnataka (RGUHS) in 2020, inaugurated
BBC houses 60 incubatees in a total space of 60,000 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For the future, the
sq ft. During FY 20-21, the incubator raised funds worth incubator plans to set up a Biorepository, Centre for
Rs 20 core, in addition to signing 10 Memorandums pandemic preparedness, Centre for Longevity and Farm
of Understanding (MoUs). BBC also announced the Innovation.

18 ADVERTORIAL BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

AIC-CCMB, Hyderabad: Sandbox
for the Next Unicorn in Healthcare

Dr. Madhusudana Rao Dr. Ramjee Pallela their work here. We have been actively investing
CEO of AIC-CCMB COO of AIC-CCMB in the startup with a kitty of over Rs. 5 crores
raised through National Science & Technology
In a conversation with Biospectrum, with Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB),
Dr. Madhusudana Rao, CEO of AIC-CCMB Start-Up India Seed Fund (SISF) as well as CSR
and Dr. Ramjee Pallela, COO of AIC-CCMB, funding from Security Printing & Minting Corporation
shared their journey and their vision for of India Ltd (SPMCIL.) and BLAIZE, as well as Rural
Electrification Corporation Limited (RECL) for a
the future of healthcare innovations. biodiversity and wildlife conservation lab in Kashmir.
We expanded our network with strategic partnerships
Dr. Madhu, AIC-CCMB is unique in terms with industries, international and public agencies
of its position in the start-up ecosystem as an and academic institutions. Despite all these laurels,
incubator promoted by a CSIR. What was the I would say that the journey has just begun and
motivation to create this centre? hopefully, we will continue to create a meaningful
impact on Atmanirbhar Bharat.
CSIR-Centre for Cellular & Molecular Research
(CCMB) is a national research institute with a rich As an incubator focused on healthcare, what
history of research in basic science and a strong was your experience with the COVID mitigation
foothold in academia. The need of the hour is to effort?
focus on translational research and technology
transfer, and CSIR-CCMB understands this need. A number of our startup developed ICMR-
Back in 2014, CCMB made a concentrated effort approved indigenous diagnostic technologies,
to provide research facilities to MSMEs for R&D. and we facilitated the validation of more than
The facility was created with the support of the 30 COVID-19 kits. Being a part of the South
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research India Consortium for Diagnostics Components
(DSIR) as a Common Research and Technology and Covid-19 RT-PCR Kit Development, we
Development Hubs (CRTDH). Technical support, are providing quality validations to Indian
infrastructure and sophisticated analytical services manufacturers of RT-PCR kits and its components
are critical in the pursuit of lifesciences and like Enzymes, NTPs, Primers and Probes. Support
healthcare innovations, so we decided to extend our from Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics
support to startup as well. This we achieved through (FIND), an initiative of Gates Foundation (BMGF)
the establishment of AIC-CCMB, with the support and Indigenization of Diagnostics (InDx) program
of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of the National of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms
Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), one of (cCAMP), supported by The Rockefeller Foundation,
the first 10 Atal Incubation Centre (AICs) in India. we critical for this effort. Currently, we are
conducting the 3rd cycle of our Covid-19 Technology
How has the journey been so far? Development (CoviTED) Accelerator, a CSR
The past few years have been an incredible initiative of SPMCIL and also part of AMRIT Grand
journey of growth and becoming of the top bio- Challenge (JANCAE) of IKP knowledge Park.
incubators in India. We have grown in terms of our
team and space as well as national entrepreneurship A few years ago, you conducted a seminar
program. We have incubated over 70 startup to aptly named “Pride and Prejudice”, attended
date, who have filed some 29 patents based on by numerous policymakers, academicians and
aspiring entrepreneurs. Post the pandemic, do
you think that investors are still shying away
from life science startup and incubators?

Startup would eventually become business
entities. Startup in life sciences are considered
to be high-risk-high gain enterprises. Partly, this
perception is due to the long waiting period for

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com ADVERTORIAL 19

ROI by investors in these ventures compared to Dr. Ramjee, given your vast experience in life
something similar in manufacturing or service- sciences innovation, what do you think sets AIC-
based startup. Pandemic has demonstrated the CCMB apart from its peers?
national imperatives of access and self-reliance
in health technologies. The fresh awareness has Innovators visiting AIC-CCMB will understand our
given a substantial thrust by investors to startup emphasis on enabling early-stage startup become
in life sciences. Still, the quantum of investments sustainable business of tomorrow. This we do by
is smaller compared to other technology startup providing customizable lab space starting from 100
such as EdTech or FinTech. For India to be sft. with fully functional industry standard equipment,
technologically modern and self-reliant more supportive facilities for research, workstations, meeting
trust is required by the investors in technologies pods besides amenities like cafeterias, conference
based on deep science. The human resources are rooms, animal house facilities, library, guest house etc.
excellent in India and with the positive outlook of the from the host organisation. We have pre-incubation and
government on startup, the trust would lead to a lot virtual incubation programs for ideation stage startup/
of successes. innovators. Truly, AIC-CCMB functions like a sandbox,
where a startup can validate their technologies through
AIC-CCMB completes five years of operations us or CSIR-CCMB. They can leverage our high impact
this June. Based on this experience, what is ecosystem of policy makers, technical and business
your vision for the next five years, for both the mentors, alumni, fund providers, regulatory and IP
incubator and the industry as a whole? experts & consultants. We facilitate affiliations with
reputed labs, research institutes &, industries and local
The mentorship and financial support by AIM is Government. Immersion is key to identifying markets,
critical to our journey. The host institute CSIR-CCMB so AIC-CCMB conducts two national programs called
gives us an identity and guides future plans, which BIRAC’s SPARSH Fellowship program and TIDE 2.0
are primarily based on deep science. Proactive program by MeitY Startup Hub (MSH). So far, we
scouting and curating the leads in various institutes have identified, and fostered 13 innovators in social
and providing mentorship and startup grants to entrepreneurship as well ICT in healthcare. Our
demonstrate the value of their invention followed by another initiative with Humane Society International -
pitching to investors. We want AIC-CCMB to be the India, the Center for Predictive Human Model Systems
hub for all stakeholders in the life science industry, (CPHMS), is India’s first scientific and policy think-tank
by managing India-centric health funds. One of our dedicated to enabling human relevant, non-animal
focuses is on translating the strength of CCMB in technologies in clinical and biomedical research in
genomics for better health outcomes. India.

20 BIOINCUBATORS SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

CRESCENT INNOVATION & INCUBATION COUNCIL (CIIC), CHENNAI 04

M PARVEZ ALAM, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Crescent Innovation & Incubation Council purposes that can house 200 incubatees. At present,
(CIIC) in Chennai has been established as a there are 82 startups in the life sciences space out
Section-8 not for profit company, acting as a which 20 joined during FY 20-21. The incubator inked
‘One Stop Shop – Technology Business Incubator (TBI)’ multiple local and international Memorandums of
for startups. CIIC facilitates an entrepreneurial and Understanding in FY 20-21, in addition to raising
innovative ecosystem to all the stakeholders including funds worth Rs 1.66 crore. In the future, CIIC plans to
the students, faculty, industry, investors and society establish the first Bioengineering HUB (BioE-HUB)
at large. CIIC is recognised as one of the Incubators in in India; to create a State-of-the-Art centralised lab
Startup India Hub and Institutional Innovation Council facility equipped with latest instruments to help in
in the Ministry of Human Resource Development research & product development under BIRAC phase
(MHRD) Innovation Cell (MIC). Started in 2019, CIIC 2. CIIC also plans to focus on programmes on Bio-
has established a 30,000 sq ft space for incubation Entrepreneurship for Women.

CENTRE FOR CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PLATFORMS (C-CAMP), BENGALURU 05

DR TASLIMARIF SAIYED, Chief Executive Officer and Director

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms space to foster a greater number of startups across
(C-CAMP), an initiative supported by the different sectors like nutrition, regenerative therapy,
Department of Biotechnology, has been an enabler rare diseases, clean technology, maternal and child
or catalyst of cutting-edge research and innovation in healthcare, industrial biotechnology, animal and plant
the life sciences since 2009. C-CAMP is also a member biotechnology, medical technology etc. C-CAMP plans to
of the Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSC), facilitating continue working in close collaboration with national and
Bioscience Research and Entrepreneurship by providing international partners to foster both cutting-edge and
Research, Development, Training and Services in state- affordability in technological advances for sustainability,
of-the-art Technology Platforms. Around 39 startups are inclusivity and accessibility in human progress. Through
currently associated with C-CAMP which has a total space these innovation ecosystem building efforts, C-CAMP is
of 20000 sq ft available for the incubation purpose. In looking to accelerate India’s economy towards reaching
2020-2021, the incubator expanded its physical incubation the $5 Trillion target by 2026.

06ATAL INCUBATION CENTRE– CENTRE FOR CELLULAR & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, HYDERABAD

DR N. MADHUSUDHANA RAO, Chief Executive Officer

The Atal Incubation Centre- Centre for Cellular space, along with signing multiple Memorandums
& Molecular Biology (AIC-CCMB) is a premier of Understanding (MoUs). For the future, AIC plans to
technology incubator supporting deep science start operationalising and disbursing NIDHI-SSS- Rs
startups. Established at CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad 5.25 crore grant by Development Board (NSTEDB);
under the Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog conducting two cycles of CoviTED Acceleration
in 2017, this incubation centre has become a hub Programme; actively creating a portfolio of
for life-sciences and biotechnology startups and companies by taking stake in them; and conducting
MSMEs from all over Telangana and the country in programmes such as Centre for Predictive Human
a very short time. The bioincubator currently has 22 Model Systems (HSI/I), mRNA platform for vaccines
startups within the campus that have the capacity development & biologics – a CSIR sponsored project,
to house around 30 incubatees. The FY 20-21 saw AIC clinical genetics & digital health, rare disease
raising funds worth Rs 2 crore within the life sciences therapeutics, to name a few.



22 BIOINCUBATORS SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

BITS BIRAC BIONEST- BITS 07 ASPIRE-BIONEST, 08
PILANI, K. K. BIRLA GOA CAMPUS HYDERABAD

DR MRIDULA GOEL, In-charge PROF. RAJAGOPAL SUBRAMANYAM, Project Coordinator

BITS BIRAC BioNEST incubator, an initiative of Centre ASPIRE - Association for Scientific Pursuits in
for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) Innovative Research Enterprises is a section-8,
of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), not-for-profit organization that manages
Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus promotes innovation and the innovation and entrepreneurial activities at the
entrepreneurship in Health & Environment. BioNEST aims University of Hyderabad (UoH) through incubation
to help entrepreneurs to ideate, incubate and accelerate of startup companies in various disciplines of science
their innovative early stage startups into successful ventures and technology, while BioNEST at UoH is a life sciences
through infrastructural support, mentoring, networking and incubator, set-up with the support of the Biotechnology
business advisory. During FY 20-21, the bioincubator raised Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). Established
funding worth Rs 6.38 crore, along with inking around 18 in 2018, ASPIRE-BioNEST currently houses 31 incubatees
new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). With a space within a space of 23000 sq ft allotted for accommodation.
of 3500 sq ft available for incubation, the incubator houses During FY 20-21, the bioincubator raised Rs 15 lakh as
22 startups currently, out of which 9 joined during FY 20- corporate social responsibility (CSR) grant from Sakku
21. For the future, BioNest plans to engage in corporate Group of Companies and received a grant enhancement
programmes with companies such as Cytiva, DLT Labs, by BIRAC amounting to Rs 2.75 crore. The incubator also
Merck, NASSCOM etc. The incubator also intends to apply signed 6 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during
for government schemes in the coming months, and to the year. The FY 20-21 saw the incubator adding new
build relationships with ecosystem enablers and investors facilities such as creating a new BSL-II facility for COVID-19
to get better outcomes for the incubatees. There are also research activities; purchasing ultra-low temperature
plans to onboard more startups, to take the number to 45 in freezer, inverted fluorescence centrifuge, automated
2023. protein purification units, to name a few.

SAVLI TECHNOLOGY & 09 MANIPAL GOVERNMENT OF 10
BUSINESS INCUBATOR (STBI), KARNATAKA BIOINCUBATOR,
VADODARA MANIPAL

DR A. N. BHADALKAR, Director DR MANESH THOMAS, Chief Executive Officer

Savli Technology & Business Incubator (STBI) is set Manipal - Government of Karnataka Bioincubator,
up within the industrial estate of Vadodara with the Technology Business Incubator, is an initiative by
vision to nurture startups economy by facilitating Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
support to budding entrepreneurs thereby contributing and the Government of Karnataka to facilitate incubation
towards strengthening the nation. Established in 2017, of startups. Set up in 2019, this incubation platform aims at
it is spread across a space of 21000 sq ft with around upscaling innovations specialising in technology, propelling
15000 sq ft available for incubation purpose. Currently, innovative ideas towards product commercialization. At
the bioincubator has housed 25 incubatees within its present, the bioincubator is housing 23 startups in the
campus in the life sciences space. Around 19 startups life sciences space in the available area of 20000 sq ft. 12
joined the incubator recently. During FY 20-21, STBI raised new startups joined during FY 20-21. The bioincubator
approximately Rs 1.2 crore worth of funding. For the raised Rs 3.5 crore worth funds, in addition to Rs 2.15 crore
future, the bioincubator is focusing on the development raised by the incubatees. Other achievements include
of National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing development of 12 new technologies, 2 patent applications
Innovations (NIDHI)- Technology Business Incubator and 1 publication. For the future, the bioincubator plans
(TBI), which is under progress. As a BIRAC-SEED partner, to establish BioNEST from DBT-BIRAC which is under
STBI shall actively open more rounds for seed funding development. There are plans to expand the incubation
and invest in eligible startups. The incubator also plans support team and members, and to strengthen e-cell for
to strengthen its support to startups with mentoring, supporting student innovators. Further, the incubator is
funding, investments, scaling up etc. and widening the working on developing the School of Biodesign under
mentor network. BIRAC Biopharma Mission.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com AIM-PRIME 23

Equipping Deep Tech
Innovators to Aim High

As the first cohort of the Atal Innovation Mission’s incubation and mentoring programme for
deep technology startups draws to a close, it is time to take stock of the programme and what
it has achieved in helping first-time founders, especially those who are working in laboratories,
commercialise their research. Let’s examine, at length, how this first cohort will help prepare
founders for the long journey in all aspects of running a business.

« N Ramakrishnan make my research commercially viable or the process
I am developing should have sustainability. Generally
The AIM-PRIME – Atal Innovation Mission- scientists don’t bother about these things,” she says.
programme for Researchers in Innovation Manjusha started Rechargion with her physicist-
and Entrepreneurship – aims to promote husband Vilas Shelke, who quit his scientist’s job at
science-based, deep technology ideas to go to market Barkatullah University, Bhopal, to run the company
by providing founders, training and guidance on as its chief executive officer.
various aspects of starting and running an enterprise.
The Pune-based Venture Center, a technology Access to experts and network
business incubator for science and technology
startups, was selected to run the programme that was According to Manjusha, thanks to the programme,
launched in June 2021. they have access to experts in various fields. Besides,
the one-on-one mentoring sessions and the network
Instilling business sense in scientists of connections that the programme has provided
have been invaluable. Adds Vilas Shelke, India has
“The AIM-PRIME experience was very good. I am been good at fundamental research and has made
a scientist and I only understand science. But there good progress in the last decade or so in applied
are a lot of other aspects as well, those things were science research. The missing link was in translating
very alien to me. I got introduced to them through the research from the laboratory to the market, which
AIM-PRIME. Not just introduced but also how to the programme addresses.
methodically tackle them, especially when it is about
pitching to investors, business model and market Spread over nine months, the programme
size,” says Sayantani Pramanik, launched by the Government of India’s think-
Co-founder and Product and tank NITI Aayog, included classroom sessions,
Technical Lead, Pragmatech live projects where the participants work with an
Healthcare Solutions, a interdisciplinary team to bring an idea to market,
company that is developing a one-on-one mentoring, deeptech startup playbook in
product to help in easy screening which the participants get access to exclusive toolkits,
and early detection of cervical curated video library and peer-to-peer learning. The
cancer. Atal Innovation Mission, which is the Government
of India’s flagship initiative to create and promote a
The programme, adds Manjusha Shelke, culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across
Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Chemical the country, tied up with the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation for the programme. A unique feature
Laboratory and Co-founder and
Director, Rechargion Energy
Pvt. Ltd., drastically changed
her perspective, including to the
research she was involved with.
“I was a hardcore researcher. I
am now more towards how I can

24 AIM-PRIME BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

of the programme was that it specifically targeted make the product world class. The product should be
scientists and innovators and helped them take their excellent and robust, and the founders should have
laboratory research or idea into the market. a regulatory and standards roadmap early on. They
should be in continuous dialogue with customers and
Different set of challenges early adopters, key opinion leaders with the feedback
factored into product development. He has also told
The programme is significant because science- the founders that they should have strategies for fund
based deep tech startups face an entirely different set raise, build an effective team, sense the market and
of challenges, particularly in how a product prototype the competition, and refine go-to-market strategies,
is built, the product validated and taken to market, including pricing. Innovation, according to him, is a
and the costs involved in all these steps. An even constant sport for which the founders need to build
bigger challenge is that the funding ecosystem for genuine networking skills with stakeholders.
deep tech startups in India is not as evolved as it is
for other types of ventures. “The benefit of this programme is huge,” says
Saiprasad Sanjay Poyarekar,
According to Dr V. Premnath, Founder and CEO, Pacify
Director, Venture Center, Medical Technologies Pvt.
science-based deep tech startups Ltd, a venture that uses spray
face a very different set of atomization technology to treat
challenges, especially in how burn injuries, thus helping
products are validated, how value in quick recovery and also
is credibly communicated to key significantly reduce tissue and skin
opinion leaders, how the de-risking requirement. The programme has helped him explain
is staged over many steps, how the journey to market the work he is doing in simple terms to an investor,
is financed and how relationships need to be forged that too in the limited time available.
with experienced corporates and industry leaders to
hit the market. “These are the kind of challenges that “To convince someone in five minutes, it is
AIM-PRIME prepares startups for.” For example, in difficult. It has to be to the point. That was the
the case of a bio-pharma drug, ventures will have to most difficult part for me. That has improved now;
enter the market in partnership with larger players what points I should put in, what are the two-three
because of the costs involved. The startups will then things that I should include for someone to make a
benefit from the experience, networks and resources decision,” says Saiprasad, a mechanical engineering
of the larger company. However, for the startup and graduate with a Master’s in design. Pitching to
its investors to succeed, the venture needs to ensure investors for raising funds is similar to asking for
that it sets up win-win partnerships through well-
designed agreements and ensures strong intellectual
property protection. “AIM-PRIME focusses on
preparing the cohort for such advance planning and
strategising,” says Dr Premnath.

He points out that if the startup chooses to enter
the market on its own, the founders need advice and
support on setting up manufacturing operations,
market research, pricing, market positioning,
sales and distribution, all of which are part of the
programme. AIM-PRIME includes specialist mentors
with expertise in these domains as well.

Dr Satya Prakash Dash,
Founding and former head of
strategy, BIRAC, and Board
Member, Venture Center,
and one of the mentors for AIM-
PRIME, says most of the startups
are at early stages or at validation
stage of product development with
a few that have had a brush with the market. He has
been suggesting to the founders to think holistically
about their business, including what it would take to

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com AIM-PRIME 25

a salary when someone asks you what salary you understanding the market size and looking out for
expect, he points out. The money you ask of the fresh opportunities. Their optimistic estimate is
investors should not be too high and at the same time that their product will hit the market later this year,
should not be too low. That level of understanding but realistically they are looking at a launch by the
was needed from the commercial side, which he has middle of next year.
got now thanks to AIM-PRIME, he adds.
“It (the programme) was like a grooming session
According to him, the most important benefit to look at the product from a business perspective.
as far as he is concerned is the connections that It is not enough if it is developed successfully, it has
the programme has provided. Mentors to this to reach the masses. Selling is extremely important,
programme come with decades of professional which most of the scientists do not know. The entire
experience and expertise. They bring an entirely session was conducted in a flawless manner without
different perspective to the problem statement and any glitches,” adds Sayantani.
the solution and they open doors that did not exist
earlier for the founders. Thanks to these connections, Anticipating challenges
Saiprasad says he was able to talk to incubators in
other State – facilities that he did not even know The programme, adds
existed – and speed up the process of product Ranjith Kumar Velusamy,
development and validation. Co-founder and CIO,
Biodimension Technology
Regulatory roadmap Pvt. Ltd., helps founders and
ventures anticipate the difficulties
According to Sayantani, who has a Master’s in and challenges deep tech ventures
Applied Genetics and is concluding her Ph.D in may face in their journey, how to tackle them and
Biochemistry, AIM-PRIME gave her an insight on why building a network is important. Learning from
how to plan for various issues, including taking their people who have experienced all these is great. The
product to the regulatory authorities for approval. peer-to-peer learning is another unique feature of the
The regulatory approval roadmap is unclear as there programme, says Ranjith. Biodimension, co-founded
are no fixed timelines, but thanks to the programme by Ranjith and Manojkumar. S, is incubated at the
they knew what to do and whom to follow up with. Technology Business Incubator at Vellore Institute
More than anything else, the programme taught of Technology (VIT). Both Ranjith and Manojkumar
her how to go about all aspects of running a venture are M.Tech in Biotechnology from VIT. Biodimension
methodically, including planning for revenue, is working on developing artificial tissues as
business model, making a pitch to investors, alternatives to animal tissues that are widely used in
the cosmetics industry for product testing and in the
pharmaceutical industry for drug research.

What more would he like AIM-PRIME to do?
Ranjith says the programme is well-rounded and
comprehensive and helps companies like theirs
in regulatory aspects too, but he would like the
programme to help them in connecting with global
regulatory agencies too, as their product will tap
the global market at a later date. Connection with
overseas regulatory agencies will help companies like
theirs in a big way, he adds.

Focus on business models

Dr Srivardhini Jha,
Chairperson, Center for
Entrepreneurship, Indian
Institute of Management
Bangalore, and one of the
mentors to the programme,
says they have given the startups
participating in the AIM-PRIME a
fair bit of exposure to various aspects of business;
she did a session for them on business models. As

26 AIM-PRIME BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

far as business models are concerned, would she no magic formula for success. For whatever reason,
advise the founders to look at both the domestic and a founder may not be ready for the long journey.
global markets simultaneously or crack one first and Readiness includes emotional and psychological
then explore the other? “It is never a good idea,” readiness, intellectual readiness, what to do
she says, “to look at multiple markets to start with, next, the founders will have to learn a whole new
because there are so many specific requirements. The vocabulary. Issues like shareholder agreements, due
moment you go very broad, you get overwhelmed diligence, valuations, product market fit, whole set
and the startup has limited resources. You are better of jargons thrown at them by the legal community,
off focusing on those lead customers, making sure the investors, the marketing people, the bureaucracy
that you are giving them what they really want and and the founders will have to learn all these
establishing the fit and then trying to go to other instantly.
customers like that in the same market or other
geographies.” These startups really don’t have the Another important issue that the founders will
bandwidth to go global from the get-go. Sometimes, have to learn is team building and how quickly
they may start global, meaning they may start by they achieve this will determine the success of their
addressing an American market because the India venture. Dr Vyakarnam feels that founders should
market is not ready. That is fine. It is better, says Dr have an eye on the global market. “To act on it, they
Srivardhini, to focus on a market first, solve for it will need about two-three years, but as a mindset
and then explore other markets. It has to be the same issue, when they are pitching for funding, trying to
approach for industry verticals too, she adds. attract team members, their eyes should be on the
global market,” he says. He would like the AIM-
For instance, a deep tech company may have a PRIME to continue for some more time. “It would be
product that finds application in, say, transportation an absolute disaster if they end at this point, because
and also in communication. A lot of AI/ML startups it takes a long time to nurture success stories and for
do data crunching and they can have interesting the investor community to believe in it.”
applications for multiple verticals or industries,
but they cannot possibly start looking at all the Preparing online resources
verticals from the beginning. “They have to find that
beachhead industry, the market where the pain is the Dr Premnath says AIM-PRIME is planned to
greatest and start there,” says Dr Srivardhini. continue till the need exists. It is for this reason, he
adds, that in the first cohort, Venture Center has
Being ready tried to create online resources, including in the form
of videos, a playbook and a digital library. There
Dr Shailendra has also been a conscious effort to include other
Vyakarnam, Professor in incubators in the cohort so that some of them can
Entrepreneurship, Cranfield serve as trainers in the future.
University, who is also a
mentor at AIM-PRIME, makes According to him, AIM-PRIME brings a fresh
an interesting point when he perspective to training and mentoring deep tech
talks about the readiness levels in startups. The programme has selectively picked
the science and technology world. hands-on methodologies and frameworks from
While the ventures are at early stages of techno- the best innovation ecosystems of the world. It
commercial readiness, the more interesting aspect emphasises practical and usable insights that
is the readiness levels of the founders to don the are contemporary. It does not take an academic
mantle of a CEO and their readiness to become approach, neither does it take a populist approach.
managers, allocating resources for the growth of their It is scholarly and yet practitioner-led, points out Dr
companies. Premnath. “It is collaborative and brings in many
different best practices rather than focusing on one
“That is lagging behind the technology,” says Dr methodology. That is what makes it unique.”
Vyakarnam. “Our obsession is, will the technology
work, will the customers buy it, but not whether A key indicator, according to him, of short-term
the individual will make the journey with it. That success for such programmes for early-stage startups
is still an issue and AIM-PRIME is addressing is the ability of the startup to put together its business
that through the mentorship programme, through storyline, strengthen various elements of the story,
peer-to-peer learning, people are becoming aware tell the story well and raise innovation funding/
whether they should be doing it, how they should investment. Just training is not adequate to achieve
do it,” he adds. that. Considerable mentoring and hand-holding are
needed. “I believe that AIM-PRIME has been able to
Entrepreneurship is not for everybody, there is do that,” concludes Dr Premnath.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 27

INDIAN
BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY

CROSSES Rs 32K Cr WITH
GROWTH OF 10% IN 2020-21

Despite pandemic-related challenges, the research sector. The same can be said for contract
Indian BioServices business, which includes manufacturing and research services.
enterprises in the fields of clinical research,
contract research, contract development, As a result of the rapid growth in demand,
and manufacturing, grew by 10% to Rs 32,032 international pharmaceutical companies are
crore in 2020-21, compared to 12% growth in 2019- confronting greater R&D expenditures and the need to
20. In comparison to clinical research organisations, invest in new skills. However, as the era of blockbuster
contract research, development, and manufacturing drugs dispensed to large patient pools fades and the
corporations contribute significantly to this increase. In focus shifts to precision medicine, niche indications,
2019-20, the Indian BioServices industry was worth Rs and increased biologics R&D, pharma sponsors are
29,120 crore. increasingly turning to Contract Development and
The reduction in the BioServices industry’s Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) as a one-stop-
growth rate was primarily due to the economic crisis shop partner rather than line-item contractors. The
that followed the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, majority of sponsors prefer to form partnerships with
which stressed countries’ and enterprises’ financial CMDOs in order to avoid the high fixed costs
resources. In addition to dealing with global economic of in-house development, manufacturing
volatility and an uncertain operating environment, capabilities, and expertise needed to
the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries get their medicines through clinical
have had to deal with suspended trials for drugs trials. The growing complexity of
other than COVID-19, delayed product launches, a developing new molecular entities
decline in in-person visits for healthcare professionals (NMEs) has necessitated the
(HCP) and salesforce-HCP interactions, and delays creation of specialised
in drug commercialization. The pandemic has had capabilities and
a substantial impact on India’s pharmaceutical and competencies.
biopharmaceutical businesses, affecting everything
from clinical trials to supplies, production, and
distribution.
During the year 2020-21, Indian enterprises led the
contract research, development, and manufacturing
arena, while multinational corporations dominated
clinical research. The primary hubs for
contract research, development, and
manufacturing activity are Bangalore
and Hyderabad. Clinical research
organisations are based in Hyderabad,
Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Navi Mumbai,
Kolkata, Faridabad, and New Delhi.
Because of stronger infrastructure,
education, and a pleasant environment,
India’s western and southern regions
have a significant position in the clinical

28 BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

PIRAMAL PHARMA SOLUTIONS
RETAINS No 1 POSITION

IN INDIAN BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2020-21

Mumbai-based Piramal Pharma ■ Piramal Pharma Solutions is a ■ Aurigene Discovery Technologies ■ Neuland Laboratories Limited is a
Solutions is leading the BioServices leading CDMO in India Limited is leading DDDS company leading CMS company in India
in India
Industry with sales revenue of ■ Syngene International Ltd is a Aragen Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd
Rs 3616 crore in 2020-21 (Rs 3154 leading CRMO in India ■ Sai Life Sciences Limited is a (formerly GVK Biosciences Private
crore in 2019-20) at No 1 position leading company having CRO/ Limited) is a leading CRDO in
■ Lambda Therapeutic Research CDMO services in India India
followed by Bangalore-based Limited is a leading Indian CLRO
Jubilant Biosys Ltd with sales of in India ■ Divi’s Laboratories Limited is a ■ TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Limited
Rs 2339 crore (Rs 1831 crore) at No leading Indian CRO in India (formerly Chembiotek Research
2 and Bangalore-based Syngene ■ IQVIA RDS (India) Private Limited International) is a leading CRAMS
International Ltd with revenue is a leading MNC CLRO in India ■ Labcorp Drug Development India company in India
Private Limited (formerly Covance
worth Rs 2249 crore (Rs 2094 ■ Anthem Biosciences Private India Pharmaceutical Services Pvt ■ Clininvent Research Pvt. Ltd. is a
crore) at No 3 position respectively. Limited is a leading CRISP Ltd) is a leading MNC CRO in India leading CMO in India
company in India

BioSpectrum Top BioServices Companies 2021*

Sr. Name Revenue Revenue Per centage Location Area of Location State Region
No for 2020-21 for 2019-20 growth over Operation
(in Rs crore) (in Rs crore) last year (%)

1 Piramal Pharma Solutions 3616 3154 15 India CDMO Mumbai Maharashtra West

2 Jubilant Biosys Ltd 2339 1831 28 India CDMO Bangalore Karnataka South

3 Syngene International Ltd 2249 2094 7 India CRMO Bangalore Karnataka South
4 IQVIA RDS (India) Private Limited 1718 1546
11 MNC CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

5 Aragen Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd (formerly GVK Biosciences Private Limited) 1152 950 21 India CRDO Hyderabad Telangana South

6 Anthem Biosciences Private Limited 1103 633 74 India CRISP Bangalore Karnataka South
7 Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited 1023 852
8 Sai Life Sciences Limited 751 743 20 India CDMO Hyderabad Telangana South

1 India CRO/CDMO Hyderabad Telangana South

9 Lambda Therapeutic Research Limited 472 653 -28 India CLRO Ahmedabad Gujarat West
354 352
10 ICON Clinical Research India Private Limited 0 MNC CLRO Chennai Tamil Nadu South
338 255
11 Labcorp Drug Development India Private Limited 33 MNC CRO Mumbai Maharashtra West
(formerly Covance India Pharmaceutical Services Pvt Ltd)

12 Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited 306 280 9 India DDDS Bangalore Karnataka South

13 TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Limited (formerly Chembiotek Research International) 270 India CRAMS Kolkata West Bengal East
14 Neuland Laboratories Limited 269 189
42 India CMS Hyderabad Telangana South

15 Eurofins Advinus Limited 220 168 31 MNC CRO Bangalore Karnataka South

16 PPD Pharmaceutical Development India Private Limited 215 175 23 MNC CRO Mumbai Maharashtra West
209 184
17 Vimta Labs Ltd. 14 India CLRO Hyderabad Telangana South
207 190
18 Labcorp Scientific Services & Solutions Private Limited (formerly Covance Scientific Services & 9 MNC CRO Mumbai Maharashtra West
Solutions Private Limited (Formerly: Sciformix Technologies Pvt Ltd)

19 Veeda Clinical Research Limited 196 153 28 India CLRO Ahmedabad Gujarat West
20 Divi's Laboratories Limited
21 Aizant Drug Research Solutions Private Limited 146 9 1518 India CRO Hyderabad Telangana South

134 144 -7 India CRO Hyderabad Telangana South

22 Labcorp Clinical Development Private Limited (Formerly: Covance Clinical Development Pvt. Ltd. 105 111 -6 MNC CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South
and Chiltern Clinical Research India Pvt. Ltd.)

23 Kemwell Biopharma Private Limited 95 30 221 India CDMO Bangalore Karnataka South
24 Ecron Acunova Limited
93 429 -78 India CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

25 APCER Life Sciences India Limited 89 104 -14 MNC CLRO New Delhi New Delhi North

26 Accutest Research Laboratories (I) Pvt Ltd 74 119 -37 India CRO Navi Mumbai Maharashtra West
27 Vivo Bio Tech Limited
28 Siro Clinpharm Private Limited 52 55 -6 India CRO Hyderabad Telangana South

51 56 -10 India CLRO Navi Mumbai Maharashtra West

29 QPS Bioserve India Private Limited 48 37 31 MNC CRO Hyderabad Telangana South
30 Synapse Labs Private Limited 43 25
31 CliniRx Research Private Limited 41 27 73 India CRO Pune Maharashtra West

51 India CLRO New Delhi New Delhi North

32 Norwich Clinical Services Private Limited 38 54 -30 India CRO Bangalore Karnataka South

33 Shilpa Medicare Limited 26 90 -71 India CDMO Raichur Karnataka South
34 Novotech Clinical Research India Private Limited
25 17 49 MNC CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

34 Pharmaffiliates Analytics and Synthetics Private Limited 25 18 41 India CRO Panchkula Haryana North

35 Clininvent Research Pvt. Ltd.  24 India CMO Hyderabad Telangana,  South
36 JSS Medical Research Asia Pacific Private Limited
37 Quanticate India Private Limited 23 27 -13 MNC CLRO Faridabad Haryana North

19 4 407 MNC CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

37 RCC Laboratories India Private Limited 19 18 8 MNC CRO Hyderabad Telangana,  South
38 Synchron Research Services Private Limited
39 Labcorp Endpoint India Private Limited (formerly Endpoint Clinical India Private Limited) 18 30 -38 India CLRO Ahmedabad Gujarat West

16 13 22 MNC CLRO Hyderabad Telangana South

39 Laurus Synthesis Private Limited 16 13 22 India CDMO Hyderabad Telangana,  South

40 PAREXEL International Clinical Research Private Limited 14 13 8 MNC CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South
40 Panexcell Clinical Lab Private Limited
14 26 -48 India CLRO Navi Mumbai Maharashtra West

41 Vanta Bioscience Limited 10 14 -28 India CRO Chennai Tamil Nadu South

42 Spectrum Clinical Research Private Limited 9 8 10 India CLRO Mumbai Maharashtra West

43 Eurofins Pharma Services India Private Limited 7 9 -21 India CDMO Bangalore Karnataka South

43 D2L Pharma Research Solutions Private Limited 77 0 India CSO Bangalore Karnataka South

44 Medpace Clinical Research India Pvt Ltd 5 5 0 MNC CLRO Mumbai Maharashtra West
44 PSI CRO Pharma India Private Limited#
5 4 20 MNC CRO Bangalore Karnataka South

45 ICBIO Clinical Research Private Limited 4 3 37 India CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

46 Vipragen Biosciences Pvt Ltd 3 2 42 India CRO Mysuru Karnataka South
47 CliniMed Lifesciences Private Limited
47 Catalyst Clinical Services Private Limited 1 1 0 India CRO Kolkata West Bengal East

1 3 -71 India CLRO New Delhi New Delhi North

47 D2L Clinical Solutions Private Limited 1 3 -67 India CRO Bangalore Karnataka South

* We have not covered some of the leading BioServices Companies as they are unable to participate in the BioSpectrum BioServices Industry Survey 2021

■ CLRO - Clinical Research Organization ■ CRO - Contract Research Organisation ■ CDMO - Contract Development & Manufacturing Organisation
■ CMS - Contract Manufacturing Services ■ CRISP- Contract Research and Innovation Service Provider ■ CRMO -Contract Research & Manufacturing Organization
■ CRDO- Contract Research & Development Organization ■ DDDS- Drug Discovery & Development Services

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 29

BioSpectrum Top Indian BioServices Companies 2021*

Sr. Name Revenue Revenue Per centage Area of Location State Region
No for 2020-21 for 2019-20 growth over Operation
(in Rs crore) (in Rs crore) last year (%)

1 Piramal Pharma Solutions 3616 3154 15 CDMO Mumbai Maharashtra West
Bangalore Karnataka South
2 Jubilant Biosys Ltd 2339 1831 28 CDMO Bangalore Karnataka South
Hyderabad Telangana South
3 Syngene International Ltd 2249 2094 7 CRMO Bangalore Karnataka South
Hyderabad Telangana South
4 Aragen Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd (formerly GVK Biosciences Private Limited) 1152 950 21 CRDO Hyderabad Telangana South
Ahmedabad Gujarat West
5 Anthem Biosciences Private Limited 1103 633 74 CRISP Bangalore Karnataka South
East
6 Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited 1023 852 20 CDMO Kolkata West Bengal South
Hyderabad Telangana South
7 Sai Life Sciences Limited 751 743 1 CRO/CDMO Hyderabad Telangana West
Ahmedabad Gujarat South
8 Lambda Therapeutic Research Limited 472 653 -28 CLRO Hyderabad Telangana South
Hyderabad Telangana South
9 Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited 306 280 9 DDDS Bangalore Karnataka South
Bangalore Karnataka West
10 TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Limited (formerly Chembiotek Research International) 270 CRAMS Navi Mumbai South
Hyderabad Maharashtra West
11 Neuland Laboratories Limited 269 189 42 CMS Navi Mumbai Telangana West
North
12 Vimta Labs Ltd. 209 184 14 CLRO Pune Maharashtra South
New Delhi Maharashtra South
13 Veeda Clinical Research Limited 196 153 28 CLRO Bangalore North
New Delhi South
14 Divi's Laboratories Limited 146 9 1518 CRO Raichur Karnataka West
Panchkula Karnataka South
15 Aizant Drug Research Solutions Private Limited 134 144 -7 CRO Hyderabad Haryana West
Ahmedabad Telangana,  South
16 Kemwell Biopharma Private Limited 95 30 221 CDMO Hyderabad West
Navi Mumbai Gujarat South
17 Ecron Acunova Limited 93 429 -78 CLRO Chennai Telangana,  South
Mumbai Maharashtra South
18 Accutest Research Laboratories (I) Pvt Ltd 74 119 -37 CRO Bangalore Tamil Nadu South
Bangalore Maharashtra East
19 Vivo Bio Tech Limited 52 55 -6 CRO Bangalore Karnataka North
Karnataka South
20 Siro Clinpharm Private Limited 51 56 -10 CLRO Mysuru Karnataka
Kolkata Karnataka
21 Synapse Labs Private Limited 43 25 73 CRO New Delhi West Bengal
Bangalore New Delhi
22 CliniRx Research Private Limited 41 27 51 CLRO Karnataka

23 Norwich Clinical Services Private Limited 38 54 -30 CRO

24 Shilpa Medicare Limited 26 90 -71 CDMO

25 Pharmaffiliates Analytics and Synthetics Private Limited 25 18 41 CRO

26 Clininvent Research Pvt. Ltd.  24 CMO

27 Synchron Research Services Private Limited 18 30 -38 CLRO

28 Laurus Synthesis Private Limited 16 13 22 CDMO

29 Panexcell Clinical Lab Private Limited 14 26 -48 CLRO

30 Vanta Bioscience Limited 10 14 -28 CRO

31 Spectrum Clinical Research Private Limited 9 8 10 CLRO

32 Eurofins Pharma Services India Private Limited 7 9 -21 CDMO

32 D2L Pharma Research Solutions Private Limited 7 7 0 CSO

33 ICBIO Clinical Research Private Limited 4 3 37 CLRO

34 Vipragen Biosciences Pvt Ltd 3 2 42 CRO

35 CliniMed Lifesciences Private Limited 1 1 0 CRO

35 Catalyst Clinical Services Private Limited 1 3 -71 CLRO

35 D2L Clinical Solutions Private Limited 1 3 -67 CRO

* We have not covered some of the leading BioServices Companies as they are unable to participate in the BioSpectrum BioServices Industry Survy 2021

BioSpectrum Top MNC BioServices Companies 2021*

Sr. Name Revenue Revenue Per centage Area of Location State Region
No for 2020-21 for 2019-20 growth over Operation
(in Rs crore) (in Rs crore) last year (%)

1 IQVIA RDS (India) Private Limited 1718 1546 11 CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

2 ICON Clinical Research India Private Limited 354 352 0 CLRO Chennai Tamil Nadu South

3 Labcorp Drug Development India Private Limited (formerly Covance India Pharmaceutical Services Pvt Ltd) 338 255 33 CRO Mumbai Maharashtra West

4 Eurofins Advinus Limited 220 168 31 CRO Bangalore Karnataka South

5 PPD Pharmaceutical Development India Private Limited 215 175 23 CRO Mumbai Maharashtra West

6 Labcorp Scientific Services & Solutions Private Limited 207 190 9 CRO Mumbai Maharashtra West
(formerly Covance Scientific Services & Solutions Private Limited (Formerly: Sciformix Technologies Pvt Ltd)

7 Labcorp Clinical Development Private Limited 105 111 -6 CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South
(Formerly: Covance Clinical Development Pvt. Ltd. and Chiltern Clinical Research India Pvt. Ltd.)

8 APCER Life Sciences India Limited 89 104 -14 CLRO New Delhi New Delhi North

9 QPS Bioserve India Private Limited 48 37 31 CRO Hyderabad Telangana South

10 Novotech Clinical Research India Private Limited 25 17 49 CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

11 JSS Medical Research Asia Pacific Private Limited 23 27 -13 CLRO Faridabad Haryana North

12 Quanticate India Private Limited 19 4 407 CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

12 RCC Laboratories India Private Limited 19 18 8 CRO Hyderabad Telangana,  South

13 Labcorp Endpoint India Private Limited (formerly Endpoint Clinical India Private Limited) 16 13 22 CLRO Hyderabad Telangana South

14 PAREXEL International Clinical Research Private Limited 14 13 8 CLRO Bangalore Karnataka South

15 Medpace Clinical Research India Pvt Ltd 5 5 0 CLRO Mumbai Maharashtra West

15 PSI CRO Pharma India Private Limited 5 4 20 CRO Bangalore Karnataka South

* We have not covered some of the leading BioServices Companies as they are unable to participate in the BioSpectrum BioServices Industry Survy 2021

BIOSPECTRUM BIOSERVICES SURVEY AND METHODOLOGY

BioSpectrum India is a leading B2B media platform in A detailed questionnaire (survey form) was sent to over 100
Lifesciences space since 2003. It has re-launched its ranking companies (both MNC and Indian players) in this space to capture the
special edition in June 2019 after a gap of two years. We have needed information for the analysis. This was done during January
delayed this survey and ranking excise in 2021 due to COVID-19, as – April 2022. Companies shared information with us to the extent it
companies were given extended period to submit their financial was possible by them. We have collected information about listed
returns to December 2021. companies from stock exchange and financial agencies and Ministry
of Corporate Affairs (MCA) as well.
In this survey we looked at BioServices Industry specialising
in Clinical Research Organization (CLRO), Drug Discovery & #The revenues considered for the analysis are of services part
Development Services (DDDS), Contract Research Organizations of the companies as noted above. In several cases, where revenue
(CROs); Contract Research & Development Organizations (CRDOs), figures were not available, estimates were arrived in discussion with
Contract Development & Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), industry experts.
Contract Manufacturing services (CMS), Contract Research and
Innovation Service Provider (CRISP) that support biotech and pharma #For all the ranking purposes, we have taken the CROs business
from discovery through commercialization. We highlighted the only into consideration. Wherever ‘Revenue is mentioned, it means,
companies based on their achievements in the past financial years. sales turnover from CROs. Therefore, revenue wherever mentioned is
not necessarily the total sales turnover of the company.

30 BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

01 PIRAMAL PHARMA SOLUTIONS

REVENUE Mumbai-based Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), a contract
development and manufacturing arm of Piramal Pharma
₹3616 crore Ltd (PPL), with operations across North America, Europe
and Asia, generated a revenue of Rs 3616 crore during FY20-
PETER DEYOUNG 21, exhibiting a growth of 15 per cent in comparison to the
revenue figure of Rs 3154 crore generated in the previous year.
Chief Executive Officer In 2020, PPS entered into an agreement with G&W Laboratories Inc. to
acquire its solid oral dosage drug product manufacturing facility located in
Sellersville, Pennsylvania, to broaden its offerings by adding solid oral dosage
form capabilities (tablets and capsules) in North America.
FY 20-21 also saw the company expanding its facility in Michigan
with additional capacity and new capabilities for the development and
manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). The company has
invested approx. $32 million in the facility to keep up with expected demand
based on current forecasts, including potential new opportunities.
Going strong on its growth trajectory, PPS announced a collaboration
with US-based Epirium Bio on an exclusive integrated development and
manufacturing programme for orphan drugs. The company is providing
Epirium with an integrated programme that encompasses formulation
development, supply of APIs and intermediates, chemistry development and
manufacturing, and solid oral dosage form drug product. The work is being
completed across three PPS sites in India, with the seamless alignment of
information, technology, and project management that will speed timelines
and bring the drugs to market faster.
FY 20-21 also witnessed Carlyle Group, a global investment firm,
announcing its investment worth Rs 3523 crore in Piramal Pharma, with
the capital infusion to accelerate Piramal Pharma’s organic and inorganic
growth plans. This fresh growth investment into Piramal’s pharma
business is being used as growth capital for the pharma businesses to
expand capacity across PPL’s sites as well as to tap attractive acquisition
opportunities within and outside India.
Towards the end of FY 20-21, PPS entered into a Master Services
Agreement (MSA) with Plus Therapeutics, Inc. for Piramal to perform services
related to the development, manufacture, and supply of Plus Therapeutics’
RNLLiposome Intermediate Drug Product. The transfer will be performed
at the PPS drug product facility located in Lexington, Kentucky, which is
recognised as a North American leader in the formulation, development and
manufacturing of sterile parenteral drug products.
Furthermore, the company acquired a 100 per cent stake in Hemmo
Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd for an upfront consideration of Rs 775 crore.
Hemmo is one of the few pure-play synthetic peptide API manufacturers
in the global marketplace. With the addition of Hemmo’s capabilities, PPS
intends to gain access to the growing peptide API market and enhance its
ability to offer integrated services to its customers globally. PPS is a global
leader in integrated solutions and offers a unique platform of services across
the drug lifecycle, from drug discovery and development to commercial
manufacturing of drug substances and drug products.
With accreditations from regulatory bodies in US, Europe & Japan, its
development centres and manufacturing sites across the globe have a pool of
over 700 scientists committed to research & development programmes.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 31

02 JUBILANT BIOSYS LTD

REVENUE Bengaluru-based Jubilant Biosys, a part of the Jubilant Pharmova
family of companies with R&D centres in India and business offices
₹2339 crore in Asia and North America, generated a revenue of Rs 2339 crore
during FY20-21, exhibiting a growth of 28 per cent in comparison
GIULIANO PERFETTI to the revenue figure of Rs 1831 crore generated in the previous
year. During FY 20-21, Jubilant Biosys and US-based Yale University announced
Chief Executive Officer a research collaboration for multiple small molecule research programmes.
Under the scope of this partnership, Jubilant Biosys will provide research
services to investigators at Yale University working on novel therapeutic
targets. Areas of collaboration include medicinal chemistry, structural biology,
in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacology among others.
2020 also saw Jubilant Biosys, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jubilant Life
Sciences Limited, announcing the completion of the merger with its sister
company Jubilant Chemsys Limited, based in Noida. The combined entities
are now operating as Jubilant Biosys Limited. The merger was intended to
simplify operations and provide customers with a single brand access for a
wide range of discovery and development services.
Biosys had earlier announced significant investment in building new
state-of-the-art research facilities in Greater Noida and in Bengaluru to
cater to increasing customer demand for its functional services (medicinal &
synthetic chemistry, structural biology, DMPK, Biology & GMP scale-up) and
notably integrated drug discovery services.
With a clear scientific focus on oncology, metabolic disorders, central
nervous system (CNS) diseases, pain and inflammation, Jubilant Biosys
has rapidly emerged as a leading collaborator for pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies worldwide. In each of these therapeutic areas, the
company has developed a deep level of expertise in discovery informatics,
computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry, structural biology, biology, in-
vivo, in-vitro models and translational sciences. Combined with strong clinical
development and manufacturing capabilities from other Jubilant subsidiaries,
Jubilant Biosys has risen as a fully integrated contract research organisation
in India and headquartered in Bengaluru with end-to-end solutions. Its
brand new and state-of-the-art Chemistry Innovation Research Centre (CIRC)
in Greater Noida is designed and constructed due to growing customer
demand for its range of functional and integrated drug discovery services. The
company has its Investigational New Drug Centre (INDC) located in Noida.
With its global reach, Jubilant Biosys provides comprehensive drug
discovery services and contract research services–from target discovery
to candidate selection and with flexible business models in partnership
with leading worldwide healthcare companies. Jubilant also offers clients
a diversity of biology services ranging from target validation, expression,
structural characterisation to the establishment of in-vitro and in-vivo
models suited for the testing of xenobiotics, as well as the evaluation of their
safety and pharmacokinetics profiles when administered.
In addition, the company employs a proven methodology to create
content databases curated from various data sources, as per customer
specification. These content databases are manually curated by MSc/PhD level
scientists guided through defined Good Curation Practice (GCP), controlled
vocabulary & ontology. The custom curation services cover biology, chemistry
and clinical trial domains across many therapeutic and disease areas.

32 BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

03 SYNGENE INTERNATIONAL LTD

REVENUE During FY20-21, Bengaluru-based Syngene International
generated a revenue of Rs 2249 crore, exhibiting a growth of 7
₹2249 crore per cent in comparison to the revenue figure of Rs 2094 crore
generated in the previous year.
JONATHAN HUNT Owing to the pandemic, the year 2020 saw Syngene joining
a global consortium of 19 organisations from the healthcare industry, led by
Chief Executive Officer & Bristol Myers Squibb, to help inform, improve and accelerate various aspects
Managing Director of COVID-19 testing, ranging from research to clinical diagnostic applications.
Syngene entered into collaboration with Mumbai-based HiMedia
Laboratories to manufacture and distribute its ELISA kits. HiMedia
manufactured the kits at its facility in Mumbai and distributed them
across India. Syngene indigenously developed an anti-COV-2 IgG ELISA
(Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) at its research facility in Bengaluru.
This advanced highly reliable test identifies the presence of SARS-COV-2
antibodies in blood samples and confirms if a patient has been exposed to
the coronavirus. It has a capacity to test samples together in a single run and
generates results within three hours.
In 2020, Syngene International and Deerfield Discovery & Development
Corporation (3DC), the drug discovery & development subsidiary of US-
based Deerfield Management Company, signed an agreement to advance
therapeutic discovery projects, from target validation to pharmacological proof
of concept & preclinical evaluation. This five-year collaboration unites the core
skills of the investment management company Deerfield, through its drug
discovery & development arm 3DC, & Syngene’s integrated drug discovery
(IDD) services. The company also helped Albireo Pharmaceuticals develop a
new treatment for a genetic liver disease that affects children. The compound
is currently on track to become the first approved drug for affected patients.
During the year, scientists at Syngene also worked on research projects that
focused on leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, inflammatory disorders, and fibrotic
disorders, demonstrating the company’s growing capabilities across complex
therapies. In addition to serving the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
sectors, Syngene also strengthened its position in animal health and executed
the first fully integrated development project in this sector.
The company acquired an additional 40 new clients and expanded the
scope of engagement with many existing clients. A significant milestone
was the extension of the strategic partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb
(BMS) to 2030. The dedicated facility Syngene has for BMS is its largest
research facility outside of the United States and the partnership has gone
from strength to strength since it was first set up in 2007.
Towards the end of the financial year, the company completed the
qualification activities for its API manufacturing plant at Mangalore and
the facility has been awarded GMP certification by the Indian regulatory
authority. The focus is now on gaining other key regulatory approvals over
the next two years. Meanwhile, Syngene is actively engaging with clients to
showcase the new facility and the latest technologies available at the site.
In FY 20-21, around 2,000 employees were trained in lean process
management tools. The use of productivity-enhancing tools and techniques
such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizens have reduced waste, lowered levels
of required inventory and reduced downtime, while improving on-time
delivery.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 33

IQVIA RDS (INDIA) 04 ARAGEN LIFE SCIENCES 05
PRIVATE LIMITED PRIVATE LIMITED

IQVIA RDS (India), an arm of the American multinational Hyderabad-based Aragen Life Sciences (formerly GVK
company IQVIA, clocked in a revenue figure of Rs 1717.5 Biosciences) generated a revenue of Rs 1152 crore
crore during FY 20-21, exhibiting a growth of 11 per cent, during FY 20-21, exhibiting a growth of 21 per cent in
when compared to the revenue generation of Rs 1546 crore comparison to the revenue figure of Rs 950 crore generated
in FY 19-20. IQVIA is involved in research and experimental in the previous year. Aragen is an R&D and manufacturing
development in natural sciences and engineering. This solutions provider for the life sciences industries worldwide.
class includes systematic creative work in the fields of It offers end-to-end integrated or standalone solutions
research and development in natural sciences, medical for small and large molecules. Established in 2001, the
sciences, agriculture and engineering & technology. company operates through a network of sites located
Bengaluru-based IQVIA India draws on the strength and globally with a team of 3000+ scientists and 450+ PhDs. Its
depth of its global resources, deep domain expertise and expertise and experience have enabled over 450 customers
local insights to deliver better health outcomes. in advancing their research programs.

ANTHEM BIOSCIENCES 06 SUVEN 07
PRIVATE LIMITED PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

Bengaluru-based Anthem Biosciences generated For FY20-21, Hyderabad-based Suven Pharmaceuticals
a revenue figure of Rs 1103 crore during FY 20-21, clocked in a revenue figure of Rs 1023 crore,
showing a huge growth of 74 per cent in comparison exhibiting a growth of 20 per cent in comparison
to the revenue generation of Rs 633 crore in the previous to the revenue generation of Rs 852 crore during FY
fiscal. Anthem Bio is a Contract Research and Innovation 19-20. Suven Pharma is a CDMO that supports global life
Service Provider (CRISP), with a built-up capacity to house sciences industry and fine chemical majors in their new
over 1000 researchers and manufacture novel commercial chemical entities (NCEs) development endeavours. Its
drug actives, from its two sites in Bengaluru. Over its services include custom synthesis, process R&D, scale-up
short history, since commencing operations in 2007, it and contract manufacturing of intermediates, APIs and
has become a powerhouse for drug and new products formulations. The business comprises three segments –
development and manufacture, with equal emphasis on CDMO (development projects and commercial supplies),
biological and chemistry-based products and services. Specialty Chemicals and Contract Technical Service.

SAI LIFE SCIENCES 08 LAMBDA THERAPEUTIC 09
LIMITED RESEARCH LIMITED

Hyderabad-based Sai Life Sciences clocked in a During FY 20-21, Ahmedabad-based Lambda
revenue figure of Rs 751 crore during FY 20-21, Therapeutic generated revenue worth Rs 472 crore,
exhibiting a slight growth in comparison to the thereby showing a decline of 28 per cent in its
revenue generation of Rs 743 crore in the previous year. business when compared to the revenue generation of Rs
2020 saw Sai Life Sciences announcing its plans to recruit 653 crore in the previous fiscal. The company offers full-
over 500 scientists during the year 2021. As the first spectrum clinical trial solutions empowered by more than
phase of this drive, the company initiated recruitment for 20 years of service to the biopharmaceutical and generic
scientific talent in API process and analytical research and industry. Its gamut of services under the clinical research
development, particle science and engineering, niche domain are executed by a management team of highly
platform technologies as well as life cycle management. qualified and experienced industry leaders. The company has
The company also announced plans to significantly expand facilities and operations in Mehsana (India), Warsaw (Poland),
its biology capabilities at its integrated R&D campus in London (UK), Pittsburgh (USA), Las Vegas (USA) and Fargo
Hyderabad with a dedicated 75,000 sq ft facility. (USA). Over 1500 employees are working across the globe.

34 BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

ICON CLINICAL RESEARCH 10 11LABCORP DRUG DEVELOPMENT
INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Chennai-based ICON Clinical Research India For Mumbai-based Labcorp Drug Development India
witnessed a stability in business during FY 20-21 (formerly Covance India Pharmaceutical Services), the
after generating revenue worth Rs 353.5 crore in revenue generation stood at Rs 338 crore during FY 20-
comparison to the revenue generation of Rs 352 crore 21, exhibiting a growth of around 33 per cent when compared
crore in the previous year. An Indian arm of the Ireland to the revenue generation of Rs 255 crore in the previous
based firm, ICON is a global provider of outsourced drug fiscal. Labcorp is a global contract research organisation and
and device development and commercialisation services drug development services company, for which India has
to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and been an attractive market for drug development activities
government and public health organisations. The company due to its lower cost and large population. Employing over
specialises in the strategic development, management and 26,000 people worldwide, the company provides nonclinical,
analysis of programs that support clinical development - preclinical, clinical and commercialisation services to
from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

AURIGENE DISCOVERY 12 TCG LIFESCIENCES 13
TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED PRIVATE LIMITED

During FY 20-21, Bengaluru-based Aurigene Discovery Kolkata-based TCG Lifesciences (formerly Chembiotek
Technologies, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dr. Research International) generated a revenue figure
Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., generated a revenue of Rs 270 crore during FY 20-21. With a strong talent
figure of Rs 306 crore, exhibiting a growth of 9 per cent pool of 800+ qualified and trained scientists (including 150+
in comparison to the revenue generation of Rs 280 crore PhDs), drawn from the best domestic and international
in the previous year. Aurigene’s programmes currently in institutes and industry, the company’s services span
clinical development include an oral ROR-gamma inhibitor chemistry, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology, analytical
AUR101 for moderate to severe psoriasis in phase 2 under development and validation, and specialty chemicals. TCG
a U.S. FDA IND and a PD-L1/VISTA antagonist CA-170 for offers specific/functional solutions to integrated projects
non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer in phase 2b/3 in across multiple therapeutic areas with specific focus on
India. Additionally, the company has multiple compounds inflammation and pain, infectious diseases, central nervous
at different stages of preclinical development. system and oncology.

NEULAND 14 EUROFINS 15
LABORATORIES LIMITED ADVINUS LIMITED

Hyderabad-based Neuland Laboratories Limited Bengaluru-based Eurofins Advinus generated a
witnessed a 42 per cent growth during the FY 20- revenue figure of Rs 220 crore during FY 20-21,
21 after generating revenue worth Rs 269 crore in exhibiting a growth of 31 per cent when compared
comparison to the revenue generation of Rs 189 crore in the to the revenue generation of Rs 168 crore in the previous
previous fiscal. The Custom Manufacturing Solutions (CMS) year. Eurofins Advinus is part of Eurofins Scientific, a EUR
business continues to drive the company’s overall revenue 4.5 billion leading international group of laboratories
momentum, with this growth being attributable to both providing a unique range of analytical testing services to
commercial as well as development products. During the the pharmaceutical, food, environmental and consumer
year, Neuland made significant progress with 4-5 late-stage products industries and governments. Eurofins Advinus is
projects which are expected to get commercialised in the also one of the pioneers in drug discovery services in India,
next 12-24 months. It is a contract manufacturing service with a track record that is well demonstrated by its path-
provider and a leading manufacturer of APIs and an end-to- breaking collaborations with the likes of Takeda, Merck,
end chemistry-related solutions provider. J&J, Novartis, Celgene and DNDi.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 35

PPD PHARMACEUTICAL VIMTA 17
LABS LIMITED
16DEVELOPMENT INDIA PVT. LTD.

During FY 20-21, the Indian arm of the global clinical Hyderabad-based Vimta Labs generated a revenue
research organisation PPD, providing broad, figure of Rs 209 crore during FY 20-21, exhibiting a
integrated drug development, laboratory and growth of 14 per cent in its business when compared
lifecycle management services, generated revenue worth to the revenue generation of Rs 184 crore in the previous
Rs 215 crore. This marks a growth of around 23 per cent fiscal. The company was impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
when compared to the revenue generation of Rs 175 in the 1st quarter of the financial year 2020-21. Animal
crore during FY 19-20. With offices in 47 countries and imports for preclinical studies were impacted and hence, a
more than 26,000 professionals worldwide, PPD applies focus was created on expanding in-vitro testing capabilities
innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a firm to complement animal & human studies. FY 2021-22 will be
commitment to quality to help customers bend the cost the maiden year for the newly launched Electromagnetic
and time curve of drug development and optimise value in interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
delivering life-changing therapies to improve health. services to IT, medical devices and allied industries.

LABCORP SCIENTIFIC SERVICES VEEDA CLINICAL 19
RESEARCH LIMITED
18& SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD.
Ahmedabad-based Veeda Clinical Research
Formerly known as Covance Scientific Services & generated a revenue figure of Rs 196 crore during
Solutions, Mumbai-based Labcorp Scientific Services FY 20-21, exhibiting a growth of 28 per cent in its
& Solutions clocked in a revenue figure of Rs 207 business when compared to the revenue generation of Rs
crore during FY 20-21, exhibiting a growth of 9 per cent 153 crore in the previous fiscal. Veeda is a partner of choice
in comparison to the revenue generation of Rs 190 crore for many global pharmaceutical companies as it offers a
during FY 19-20. In 2018, Sciformix joined Covance to diverse range of clinical studies including bioequivalence
provide its customers expanded capabilities and global as well as PK, PD and Clinical Endpoint studies for
reach all while delivering excellent service, deep expertise Generics, NCE and Biopharmaceuticals. The firm has two
and superior quality. Earlier in 2015, Covance was acquired clinical units in Ahmedabad - Shivalik and Vedant, which
by US-based Labcorp, operating one of the largest clinical were established in 2004 and 2015 respectively, designed
laboratory networks in the world. to meet world-class specifications.

DIVI’S 20 AIZANT DRUG RESEARCH 21
LABORATORIES LIMITED SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED

Hyderabad-based Divi’s Laboratories generated Hyderabad-based Aizant Drug Research Solutions has
revenue worth Rs 146 crore from custom synthesis generated a revenue figure of Rs 134 crore during
projects on fast-track during FY 20-21, thereby FY 20-21, exhibiting a decline of 7 per cent in its
exhibiting humongous growth in comparison to the business when compared to the revenue generation of Rs
revenue generation of Rs 9 crore in the previous year. 144 crore in the previous fiscal. Aizant is a contract research
With two manufacturing units, market presence across organisation with a diverse portfolio of capabilities,
~95 countries, a team of ~17,000 people, a portfolio of partnering with health care companies specialising
~130 products across diverse therapeutic areas, Divi’s in new molecular entities (NMEs), generics (ANDAs)
Laboratories is one of the largest API companies in the and over the counter (OTCs) products globally. It offers
world. Divi’s has set up three R&D centres comprising comprehensive solutions for preformulation, formulation
a team of competent and qualified people that help to development of conventional and novel drug delivery
continuously innovate processes, the result of which is products, bioavailability, bioequivalence, bioanalysis,
that multiple process patents have been granted. pharmacokinetics, biostatistics and clinical diagnostics.

36 BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

LABCORP CLINICAL 22 KEMWELL BIOPHARMA 23
DEVELOPMENT PRIVATE LTD. PRIVATE LIMITED

Previously known as Covance Clinical Research India During FY 20-21, Bengaluru-based Kemwell
Private Limited, Bengaluru-based Labcorp Clinical Biopharma generated a revenue figure of Rs
Development generated revenue worth Rs 105 95 crore, thereby exhibiting massive growth in
crore exhibiting slight dip in its business in comparison comparison to the revenue generation of Rs 30 crore in the
to Rs 111 crore generated in the previous fiscal. Following previous year. Kemwell is a contract biologics development
Covance’s acquisition of Chiltern in 2017, Covance Clinical- and manufacturing company providing services to global
Biotech has been improving patient outcomes through biologics organizations. Kemwell facilities are designed
innovative, efficient provider solutions and oncology and developed with technological support from a leading
expertise. Now, named Labcorp Clinical Development, German pharma company. Kemwell, having established in
it works to help reach early development goals through 1980, has had long term associations with pharma majors
comprehensive management strategies and our such as Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck KGaA, Novartis,
commitment to client success. Pfizer and others.

ECRON 24 APCER LIFE SCIENCES 25
ACUNOVA LIMITED INDIA LIMITED

For Bengaluru-based Ecron Acunova Limited, the The Indian arm of the global firm APCER Life
revenue generation stood at Rs 93 crore during FY Sciences generated a revenue figure of Rs 89.4 crore
20-21, thereby exhibiting a huge decline in its business during FY 20-21, exhibiting a decline of 14 per cent in
when compared to the revenue generation of Rs 429 crore comparison to the revenue generation of Rs 104 crore in
in the previous year. Marketed as Navitas Life Sciences, the previous year. It was founded in 1987 in Hong Kong by
Ecron provides end-to-end services for phase I - IV clinical APCER’s Chairman, Ravi Menon. The company has grown
research, including clinical trial management and clinical rapidly by developing markets in India, China, and South
data management. Ecron Acunova has research facilities East Asia for APIs and finished formulations produced
in Asia as well as an established presence in various parts by Western pharmaceutical manufacturers. Offices have
of Europe and the United States. Its European headquarter been added in Mumbai and Shanghai to satisfy the needs
(HQ) is in Frankfurt, Germany, in the United States the HQ is of both sellers and buyers.
in Princeton, NJ and the Asian HQ is in Bengaluru, India.

ACCUTEST RESEARCH 26 VIVO 27
LABORATORIES (I) PVT. LTD. BIO TECH LIMITED

Navi Mumbai-based Accutest Research Laboratories For FY 20-21, Hyderabad-based Vivo Bio Tech
generated a revenue figure of Rs 74.4 crore during FY witnessed a slight decline in its business with a
20-21, exhibiting a decline of 37 per cent in its business revenue generation of Rs 52 crore, in comparison
when compared to the revenue generation of Rs 119 crore to Rs 55 crore generated in the previous fiscal. Vivo Bio
in the previous fiscal. Accutest is a global independent and Tech is a full-service CRO offering drug development
internationally accredited Contract Research Organisation & discovery services to pharmaceutical & biotech
founded in 1998. It offers services to customers around the companies worldwide. The company offers services
world with operations in India, across Asia, and in Brazil. in the areas of in-vivo and in-vitro toxicity studies,
The company has clinical pathology labs accredited by pharmacological investigations, pharmacokinetic &
the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and National toxicokinetic studies, genotoxicity screening, analytical
Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories services etc. Its experienced & talented scientists offer
(NABL), equipped to carry out tests for biochemistry, advice on defining drug development paths tailored to
haematology, urine chemistry and serology. specific molecules.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 37

SIRO CLINPHARM 28 QPS BIOSERVE INDIA 29
PRIVATE LIMITED PRIVATE LIMITED

Incorporated in 1996, Mumbai-based SIRO Clinpharm Hyderabad-based QPS Bioserve India clocked in
Mumbai generated a revenue figure of Rs 51 crore during a revenue figure of Rs 48 crore during FY 20-21,
FY 20-21, showing a dip of 10 per cent in the business thereby showing a growth of 31 per cent in its
growth when compared to the revenue generation of Rs 56 business in comparison to the revenue generation of Rs
crore in the previous year. A clinical research organisation 37 crore in the previous fiscal. QPS linearly integrated
supporting trials from Phase II to Phase IV and beyond core competencies include neuropharmacology, DMPK,
post-launch of products, SIRO offers a range of services, toxicology, bioanalysis, translational medicine, and clinical
from clinical operations to data services, data analytics research program management. QPS regional laboratories
and medical writing in compliance with international and testing facilities are located at company headquarters
standards. Its global delivery centre in Thane has a in Newark, DE; Springfield, MO; South Miami, FL, USA;
seasoned team of more than 200 professionals hailing Groningen, The Netherlands; Leeuwarden, The Netherlands;
from science and medical backgrounds. Graz, Austria; Hyderabad, India; and Taipei, Taiwan.

SYNAPSE LABS 30 CLINIRX RESEARCH 31
PRIVATE LIMITED PRIVATE LIMITED

Founded in 2007, Pune-based Synapse Labs has New Delhi-based CliniRx Research has generated
generated a revenue figure of Rs 43 crore during FY 20- revenue worth Rs 41.4 crore during FY 20-21,
21, showing a huge growth of 73 per cent in comparison exhibiting a growth of 51 per cent, in comparison to
to the revenue generation of Rs 25 crore in the previous fiscal. the revenue generation of Rs 27 crore in the previous fiscal.
Synapse labs with its extensive experience of over a decade Founded in 2004, CliniRx is a full-service CRO, conducting
helped deliver excellence on 780+ BA/BE studies and clear multinational clinical trials for pharma, biotech and
inspections from major regulatory bodies like the USFDA, medical devices companies around the world. Between
EMA, UKMHRA, etc. The company’s success is supported by its Indian headquarters, operational presence in the US,
its passionate team of over 250+ professionals backed by deep the UK and the Netherlands, and through several leading
scientific knowledge and industry experience. Its customers partnerships, CliniRx is particularly well placed to cover key
come from the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sector & geographies. CliniRx has experience in several therapeutic
are spread across geographies like Europe, India & the US. areas, with an extensive track record in CNS.

NORWICH CLINICAL 32 SHILPA 33
SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED MEDICARE LIMITED

Bengaluru-based Norwich Clinical Services For Raichur-based Shilpa Medicare, FY 20-21 saw a
generated a revenue figure of Rs 38 crore during revenue generation of Rs 26 crore, showing a big dip
FY 20-21, exhibiting a decline of 30 per cent in its in its business by 71 per cent when compared to the
growth, when compared to the revenue generation of revenue generation of Rs 90 crore in the previous year.
Rs 54 crore during FY 19-20. Norwich has state-of-the- Shilpa Medicare provides a comprehensive service portfolio
art facilities, and exceptional expertise to conduct Phase to assist researchers in applications requiring contract
I, II and III studies, bioavailability and bioequivalence development and manufacturing activities. It offers high-
studies, pharmacokinetic studies in patients & healthy quality intermediates cum final API products with cost-
subjects, drug metabolism studies, dose proportionality effective solutions for cutting-edge research. The company
studies, multiple-dose studies and clinical developmental produces a variety of compounds, from simple to long and
programmes. Its team has considerable experience in challenging sequences as per customers’ specifications.
various dosage forms including parenterals, suspensions, Shilpa has state-of-the-art solid and solution phase support
topical preparations and delayed-release formulations. chemistries and purifies compounds via HPLC.

38 BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

NOVOTECH CLINICAL PHARMAFFILIATES ANALYTICS 34
AND SYNTHETICS PVT. LTD.
34RESEARCH INDIA PRIVATE LTD.

Bengaluru-based Novotech Clinical Research India Pharmaffiliates Analytics and Synthetics, based in
has generated a revenue figure of Rs 25 crore Panchkula, has witnessed a growth of 41 per cent in its
during FY 20-21, exhibiting a growth of 49 per cent business during FY 20-21 with a revenue generation
when compared to the revenue generation of Rs 17 crore of Rs 25 crore, as compared to Rs 18 crore generated
during FY 19-20. Novotech is a subsidiary of Australia- previously. Started in 2001 as a research based organisation,
based Novotech Health Holdings, a leading Asian Biotech Pharmaffiliates is known in the industry for its state-of-the-
CRO. Novotech Holdings employs approximately 1,550 art research and development center located in Haryana.
people in 21 offices across 12 geographies including With a core team of subject matter experts which is a blend
Greater China, South Korea, South East Asia, India and of highly experienced and learned scientists along with
ANZ. It is a full-service CRO with integrated labs and young and dynamic associates, Pharmaffiliates’ main focus
phase I facilities providing drug development consulting is synthetic research, analytical research, novel drug delivery
and clinical development services. systems (NDDS) and regulatory consulting.

CLININVENT RESEARCH 35 JSS MEDICAL RESEARCH ASIA 36
PRIVATE LIMITED PACIFIC PRIVATE LIMITED

Clininvent Research, a wholly owned subsidiary of During FY 20-21, Faridabad-based JSS Medical
TCG Lifesciences, generated a revenue figure of Rs Research Asia Pacific witnessed a decline
24 crore during FY 20-21. Located in Hyderabad, of 13 per cent in its business with a revenue
the company offers custom manufacturing services for generation of Rs 23.2 crore, in comparison to Rs 27 crore
the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, generated in the previous fiscal. JSS Medical Research
regulatory starting materials to the pharma and fine is a full service clinical research organisation with strong
chemicals industries. Clininvent offers state-of-the-art academic affiliations, offering a wide range of services
technology, years of expertise in process development internationally. One of its distinguishing attributes is the
and a firm commitment to providing quality and methodological knowledge and expertise in the design
reliability. The company intends to provide an end- and execution of clinical studies. These include all phases
to-end solution to drug discovery, development, and of development such as Phase I, II and III, and post-
commercialization companies. approval studies.

QUANTICATE INDIA 37 RCC LABORATORIES 37
PRIVATE LIMITED INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Bengaluru-based Quanticate India generated revenue Hyderabad-based RCC Laboratories India has
worth Rs 19 crore during FY 20-21, exhibiting a generated a revenue figure of Rs 19.4 crore during
humongous growth in comparison to the revenue FY 20-21, exhibiting a slight growth when compared
generation of Rs 4 crore in the previous year. Having to the revenue generation of Rs 18 crore during FY 19-20.
supported large scale Functional Service Provisions (FSPs) RCC Laboratories is one of the leading contract research
within data-related services over many years, such as organisations providing preclinical and safety toxicology
biostatistics and statistical programming, Quanticate and chemical testing globally. The company maintains
has been implementing an approach that provides the high quality standards and services and remains a leader
benefits of FSP through niche vendor expertise and in contract research services, internationally. RCC complies
flexibility, coupled with the advantages of cross-functional with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
support and cross-study centralisation. The creation of its Development (OECD) principles of Good Laboratory
Centralised Data Services (CDS) approach to clinical data Practice (GLP) and is Certified by GLP monitoring authority
outsourcing enables activities across functions. of the Government of India (NGCMA).

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 39

SYNCHRON RESEARCH 38 LABCORP ENDPOINT 39
SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

For FY 20-21, Ahmedabad-based Synchron Research Hyderabad-based Labcorp Endpoint India (formerly
Services generated revenue worth Rs 18 crore, Endpoint Clinical India Private Limited) generated
thereby exhibiting a decline in its business by 38 a revenue figure of Rs 16 crore during FY 20-
per cent when compared to the revenue generation of 21, exhibiting growth of 22 per cent in the business as
Rs 30 crore in the previous year. Synchron is a leading compared to the revenue generation of Rs 13 crore in FY
contract research organisation designed to meet the 19-20. Their dynamic interactive response technology
specific requirements of the clients in the field of (IRT) solution, PULSE, for patient randomisation and
clinical registration of new pharmaceutical products management, site management, and drug supply
and medical devices, from phase I to phase IV, including management and leading-edge clinical supplies
bioequivalence, bioavailability, pharmacokinetic / management tool, DRIVE, has proven to maximise the
pharmacodynamic studies, statistical analysis and data supply chain and minimise operational costs, and ensure
management. timely and accurate patient dosing.

LAURUS SYNTHESIS 39 40PAREXEL INTERNATIONAL
PRIVATE LIMITED CLINICAL RESEARCH PVT. LTD.

During FY 20-21, Hyderabad-based Laurus Synthesis During FY 20-21, the Indian arm of the US-based
clocked in a revenue figure of Rs 16 crore, clinical research organisation PAREXEL generated
exhibiting a growth of 22 per cent when compared revenue worth Rs 14 crore, exhibiting a slight
to the revenue generation of Rs 13 crore in the previous growth in its business when compared to the revenue
fiscal. A leading contract development & manufacturing generation of Rs 13 crore in the previous fiscal. It provides
organisation (CDMO), the company supports drug services to help life sciences and biopharmaceutical
development and manufacturing programmes of global clients everywhere transform scientific discoveries into
pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Its state-of- new treatments. From decentralised clinical trials to
the-art facilities in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam and regulatory consulting services to leveraging real-world
experienced scientific teams have been supporting its insights, its therapeutic, technical, and functional ability
customers for over 10 years in meeting the challenges in is underpinned by a deep conviction. Also, the company
drug development programmes. offers translational medicine services.

PANEXCELL CLINICAL 40 VANTA 41
LAB PRIVATE LIMITED BIOSCIENCE LIMITED

Panexcell Clinical Lab, based in Navi Mumbai, witnessed Chennai-based Vanta Bioscience generated a
a decline of 48 per cent in its business during the FY revenue figure of Rs 10 crore during FY 20-21,
20-21 with a revenue generation of Rs 13.5 crore, as exhibiting a slight decline in the business as
compared to Rs 26 crore generated in the previous year. compared to the revenue generation of Rs 14 crore in
An organisation that has drug development and clinical FY 19-20. Vanta Bioscience is established as a centre of
research at the crux of its operations, its expertise lies in excellence for good lab practice (GLP) toxicology and
facilitating the development of new chemical entities, safety assessment offering services in India and across the
evolving comprehensive and unique therapies and globe. It is housed in a new, 56,000 square foot state-of-
supporting research via medical research papers. Formerly the-art facility specifically designed for compliance with
known as Drug Monitoring Research Institute Private GLP and AAALAC international guidelines for humane
Limited, it started off in Sion, Mumbai with a small facility. care and use of small animal species involved in Vanta
Banking on their continued success, Panexcell shifted to a Bioscience studies.
bigger facility in Rabale, Navi Mumbai.

40 BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

SPECTRUM CLINICAL 42 43EUROFINS PHARMA SERVICES
RESEARCH PRIVATE LIMITED INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Mumbai-based Spectrum Clinical Research generated For Bengaluru-based Eurofins Pharma Services India,
revenue worth Rs 8.86 crore during FY 20-21, the revenue generation stood at Rs 7 crore during
thereby showing a slight growth in comparison FY 20-21, exhibiting a slight dip in the business in
to the revenue generation of Rs 8 crore in the previous comparison to the revenue generation of Rs 9 crore in
year. The firm provides quality clinical research support the previous fiscal. The firm helps biopharmaceutical
to pharmaceutical companies and contract research companies move rapidly from the research stage of their
organisations in order to facilitate the development of drug development to clinical stages with integrated services
new chemical entities, evolve innovative therapies and to compress timelines to market. It delivers comprehensive
support research on novel drug delivery systems, ensuring solutions to streamline the development and manufacturing
compliance to the highest regulatory, scientific and of a variety of product types, delivery systems and dosage
ethical standards. The company has developed numerous forms, from formulation screening and development,
investigator sites in different therapeutic areas. analytical development to stability studies.

D2L PHARMA RESEARCH 43 44MEDPACE CLINICAL RESEARCH
SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Bengaluru-based D2L Pharma Research Solutions During FY 20-21, the Indian arm of the US-based
generated revenue worth Rs 7 crore during FY 20-21. clinical research organisation Medpace Clinical
Established in the year 2007, D2L ‘Discovery to Launch’ Research generated a revenue figure of Rs 5.43 crore,
has been at the forefront of providing exemplary service to the exhibiting a slight growth of in its business when compared
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical communications to the revenue generation of Rs 5 crore in the previous
companies since its inception. It helps transform market fiscal. Medpace is a scientifically-driven, global, full-service
performance by forging professional partnerships between clinical contract research organisation providing Phase
Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) and clients. The company’s KOL I-IV clinical development services to the biotechnology,
development strategy is designed to facilitate relationship- pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Medpace’s
building that is productive for both sides. Identification and mission is to accelerate the global development of safe and
engagement of appropriate key opinion leaders are critical to effective medical therapeutics through its high-science and
the success of a product or brand. disciplined operating approach.

PSI CRO PHARMA 44 ICBIO CLINICAL RESEARCH 45
INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED PRIVATE LIMITED

During CY 2020, the revenue generation for PSI Bengaluru-based ICBIO Clinical Research has
CRO Pharma India was Rs 5 crore in comparison generated a revenue figure of Rs 4.1 crore during FY
to the revenue generation of Rs 4 crore in the 20-21, thereby showing a slight growth in comparison
previous year. With global headquarters in Switzerland, to the revenue generation of Rs 3 crore in the previous year.
PSI CRO is a privately-owned, full-service clinical A full-service contract research organisation (CRO), ICBIO is
research organisation (CRO) operating globally. PSI’s providing comprehensive, quality, integrated and an-end-
global reach supports clinical trials across multiple to-end clinical research solutions; clinical trials (Phase II-IV),
countries and continents and is known to be highly bioequivalence studies, clinical endpoint studies, quality
selective about the work that they pursue. With an clinical research solutions in India and across the world to
exceptionally high repeat and referral business rate its clients for studies ranging from pharmacokinetic (PK)
combined with minimal staff turnover, PSI is committed studies in healthy volunteers to patient trials for generics
to being the best CRO in the world as measured by its and new chemical entities. The company also has an
customers and its employees. upcoming facility with state-of-art 100 beds.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIOSERVICES INDUSTRY SURVEY 2021 41

VIPRAGEN BIOSCIENCES 46 CLINIMED LIFESCIENCES 47
PRIVATE LIMITED PRIVATE LIMITED

Mysuru-based Vipragen Biosciences generated a Incepted in 2018, Kolkata-based clinical research
revenue of Rs 3 crore during FY 20-21, showing a organisation, Clinimed Lifesciences generated revenue
growth of 42 per cent in comparison to Rs 2 crore worth Rs 1 crore during FY 20-21. The company has been
generated during the previous financial year. Formed founded to accelerate the process of clinical research
in 2012, Vipragen has in-depth research capabilities in for clients in the field of new drugs and medical devices.
pre-clinical biology, microbiology, molecular biology, It has expertise in the development of remote patient
cell culture, pharmacology, toxicology, drug metabolism monitoring and telemedicine applications as well. The
and pharmacokinetics, drug discovery research, and management team comprises eminent doctors, scientists
new product development areas. The company brings and technocrats having gathered experience in various
forth scientific and research knowledge with deep top-level MNCs like HCL, Wipro, ITC.
expertise from a core team of scientists with a combined
experience of over 120 years.

CATALYST CLINICAL 47 D2L CLINICAL SOLUTIONS 47
SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED PRIVATE LIMITED

New Delhi-based Catalyst Clinical Services generated During FY 20-21, Bengaluru-based D2L Clinical
revenue worth Rs 1 crore during FY 20-21, exhibiting Solutions generated revenue worth Rs 1 crore,
a decline in its business when compared to the showing a decline in its business when compared
revenue generation of Rs 3 crore in the previous fiscal. It is a to the revenue generation of Rs 3 crore in FY 19-20. D2L
contract research organisation acting as a strategic partner Clinical Solutions is a spin-off company of D2L Pharma
to the healthcare organisations, with primary focus on Research Solutions with major focus on clinical research
clinical trials management and execution, medical writing, management services. D2L handles end-to- end trials
independent auditing and clinical research training. for domestic and global companies in various healthcare
With regards to clinical research and pharmacovigilance sectors. D2L has a strong vision of providing excellence
training, Catalyst has made pioneering initiatives and has in quality services for the current healthcare and
established itself as India’s largest clinical research and pharmaceutical industry needs.
pharmacovigilance training providers.

42 PARTNER CONTENT BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Being Watchful of Biosafety
Challenges for diagnostic
and research labs in India

« not only on the virulence of the microorganism but
also on whether an effective vaccine exists and/or
Dr D.M Vasudevan, effective antimicrobial/antiviral therapy is available.
Technical Director, Where an effective vaccine exists, laboratory
Agappe Diagnostics workers should be immunized, and precautions
should be taken to physically contain the microbes
Biosafety is defined by WHO as a ‘strategic and under study.
integrated approach to analyse and manage
relevant risk to human, animal, plant life and The risk is classified in four levels. Level
health and associated risk to the environment’. one assumes no risk and level four is for the
In other words, the biosafety process is to most virulent pathogens for which no effective
eliminate biological or chemical contamination immunization or antimicrobial therapy exists.
affecting humans, animals, plants, and the
environment. Biosafety is those processes that Biosafety challenges should be handled with
ensure such operations are conducted in a safe, utmost care with no compromise. It is not the
secure, and reliable manner. The biological responsibility of the technical team daily working
surety programme is generally concerned with inside the laboratory alone, but it starts from the
biological agents having a high risk for adverse laboratory construction and commissioning, thus
medical consequences upon release outside of involving all departments involved in any laboratory
proper containment. Biosecurity is the process construction, operation, maintenance, etc. Only with
employed for ensuring biological agents are the support of all departments, Biosafety protocols
properly safeguarded against theft, loss, can be implemented in a pathogen handling
diversion, unauthorized access, or use/release. laboratory successfully, without giving an opportunity
to biosafety challenges such as a pathogen outbreak.
Biosafety challenges not only include pathogen
outbreaks but also include challenges that arise due
to handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals
which will sometimes affect the environment too.

Abiosafety laboratory is an essential
requirement for any experimental research
programme on any potential pathogenic
organisms or infectious ailments. A lot of research
activities are focussed on the study of microbial
pathogens, which poses a potential risk to related
research fellows in R&D labs. In addition, there
is the risk that dangerous microbes under study
might escape from the laboratory and pose a risk
to public health. For example, in the past, a highly
pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has escaped out
of containment.

Pathogens have been categorised based on the
degree of risk they carry, both to laboratory crew and
to the general public too. The assessment depends

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com PARTNER CONTENT 43

Major challenges in Biosafety Lab acquired infections are in vogue and
Biological Hazard: Risk of uncontrolled potential accidental leakage also are really critical
exposure to a condition that causes a disease. It around the world. There was public news about
may be exposure to the pathogen causing infectious suspected lab leakage of the Covid-19 virus from
diseases or any chemical substances that induce Wuhan area, which might be the starting point of
or support infection or any other form of health a great pandemic. So, Biosafety measures and
challenges. policies are of utmost importance to human safety.
Biocontainment: Challenges in the prevention The formation of aerosols during the processing
of infectious pathogens leaking from R&D or testing time of microorganisms can pose great threats
laboratories or isolated wards in which the patient is to scientists and humanity, which is the primary
admitted. purpose of the policies as well as Biosafety
Bio protection: Challenges in the prevention cabinets or any other safety measures. Thermal
of loss, theft, misuse, or intentional release of the and chemical burns, skin absorption chemicals,
pathogen bypassing the security or illegal access to inhalation of toxic fumes, skin cuts etc are some of
facilities as above or material theft, data theft, etc. the physical hazards.
Guidelines: Challenges that arise due to not
following the guidelines due to negligence or no In India, Biosafety regulations are enforced
proper understanding of the workflow or due to any under Environmental Protection Act to prevent
human error. the leakage of biological materials, unintentional
Good Laboratory Practices: Challenges that exposure of chemicals to the workforce, intentional
arise due to not implementing good laboratory or unintentional leakage of genetic mutants, etc.
practices and the above-mentioned factors due In the second class of biological risks, India has
to lack of proper training, negligence in handling intentionally set up an exhaustive list of Biosafety
experiments, not implementing the above due to guidelines and the same has been regulated
any poor coordination of other departments like by the Department of Biotechnology. Although
construction, operation, maintenance, etc. the implementation of Biosafety guidelines falls
Preanalytical: Challenges in poor handling of under the guidance of the Ministry of Science and
sample collection and transportation. A potential Technology, Ministry of Environment, and Forest and
pathogen not handled properly during sample Climate Change.
collection may outbreak within the hospital
environment. Improper transportation may cause It is true that a lot of research is undertaken by
breakage of the sample container and lead to an the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as
endemic or pandemic. Samples not transported in well as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
recommended conditions may lead to false-negative (ICAR). Both the research bodies are set up under
results. the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. The
involvement of multiple departments practically
generates a lot of confusion in the field. Besides, the
regulatory process as such is not that transparent and
it’s influenced by activist groups, which often delays
the approval of biotechnology-derived products.

In the molecular biology segment, the
following precautions and protective measures
are to be taken:

 All samples are to be considered highly
infectious and to be handled with care according to
ICMR and NABL guidelines.

 There are Biosafety guidelines to be followed
in a pathogen detection laboratory using Molecular
technologies for Research and Development and to
be followed very strictly according to the pathogen
handled.

These guidelines are for preserving the sample
integrity and protecting the laboratory environment
and the technical team to avoid infection by the
pathogen due to biosafety challenges and thus
prevent any outbreak in the society.

44 SPEAKING WITH BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“India will continue to leverage existing capabilities and
lead in clinical trials for biosimilars and complex generics”

« Which are the leading players in the Indian

Jinu Jose, clinical trial market?

Vice President, Over 150+ organisations are estimated to be
currently conducting clinical trials in India. These
Head – Sales and include multinational pharma companies, Indian
pharma, CROs, academic and teaching institutions
Clinical Operations, and not for profit organisations. The top 10 Indian
pharmaceutical companies spend close to 7-8 per
R&D Solutions, cent of revenue on R&D, contributing to the volume
of trials being done in India and overseas.
IQVIA India
Large multinational life sciences companies
While we saw a large number of are also setting up hubs in India for services like
COVID-19 clinical trials conducted clinical data management, centralised monitoring,
in India during the pandemic, pharmacovigilance, clinical data analytics, project
clinical trials in other therapeutic areas slowed management and many other centralised functions to
down on account of the lockdowns and related support global clinical trials infrastructure.
restrictions. However, we are beginning to
see the situation improve over recent months. How do you foresee the sync between
Jinu Jose, Vice President, Head – Sales and
Clinical Operations, R&D Solutions, IQVIA India regulatory bodies and implementation of
shares more in this regard. Edited excerpts;
virtual clinical trials in the coming years?
What is India’s current hold in the global
clinical trial market? The past couple of years have provided
an excellent opportunity to leverage digital
India’s share of global clinical trials, according infrastructure and facilitate various aspects of clinical
to clinicaltrials.gov, is around 1.15 per cent which trials, from remote regulatory reviews (online IRB
is hugely disproportionate to the disease burden and SEC meetings) and remote monitoring to patient
and patient populations that exist in the country. follow-up and safety oversight, positively impacting
According to estimates from Indian Society for trial timelines and quality.
Clinical Research (ISCR) and research & markets.
com, the clinical trial market in India is estimated to During the pandemic, the clinical trial industry
reach $3.125 billion by 2025. worked very closely with regulators on innovative
trial designs, improvised pathways for approvals,
We are, however, optimistic that the situation and use of digital health platforms in various aspects
will improve as we come out of the pandemic, which of the clinical trial continuum. We hope that these
presents its own challenges for clinical trials. will continue beyond the pandemic to sustain
the momentum and fast track the clinical trial
Leveraging its expertise and experience during application review process. While these were short
the pandemic, India will continue to remain a key term measures, we are confident that this opens
destination for clinical trials in infectious diseases many possibilities to further improve the overall
along with other therapeutic areas such as oncology, clinical trials process and leverage technology and
metabolic diseases, gastroenterology, rheumatology, automation to bring drugs to markets faster, while
ophthalmology, and respiratory disorders. India will reducing the overall cost of development.
also continue to leverage existing capabilities and
lead in clinical trials for biosimilars and complex Some of the specific areas in virtual trials
generics. that require focus from a regulatory perspective
include – IMP (Investigational Medicinal Product)
The introduction of the New Drugs and Clinical Management, patient consent, use of digital
Trials Rules in 2019 was a significant milestone in platforms, documentation, and access to data.
the regulatory structure and will encourage more
global clinical studies to be conducted in India, thus We also believe that there are significant
improving access to treatment for patients. opportunities for the industry to proactively partner
with regulators to drive continued innovations and
faster adoption of newer ways of working.

Dr Manbeena Chawla
[email protected]

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com PARTNER CONTENT 45

UPES students co-author research
paper on synthesis of silver nanoparticles

Arsh Bansal and Aakash Jain, students at UPES
School of Health Sciences and Technology, have
co-authored a research paper on the synthesis
of silver nanoparticles. The study, which has
been published in Springer’s BioMetals, an
international, multi-disciplinary journal, can help
in the delivery of drugs to specific tissues with
greater accuracy.

I EKTA KASHYAP

Research in the field of health sciences plays a The objective of this study is to create silver
vital role in developing effective interventions nanoparticles using lemon grass metabolite.
and advancements. Such breakthroughs Aakash explains, “In lemon grass extract, there
can lead to equity and improved outcomes in are a number of metabolites (phytoconstituents)
public health globally, transforming the healthcare that show reducing activity, which can reduce silver
landscape. nitrate solution to form silver nanoparticles and to
check, whether synthesised nanoparticles show
UPES School of Health Sciences and Technology photocatalytic activity on methylene blue dye.” Arsh
has always been at the forefront of making significant says, “The other major part involves characterisation
discoveries that impact society. Contributing to this of synthesised particles using advanced techniques
realm of knowledge, two of its students, Arsh Bansal and instrumentation, and finally to find the possible
and Aakash Jain, have co-authored a research paper method for the degradation.”
on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, along with
Deepanmol Singh, Assistant Professor, Department What are the possible real-world applications of
of Pharmaceutical Sciences; Dr. Surajit Mondal, this study? Arsh says, “Based on our research, we
Assistant Professor, School of Engineering; and Ravi concluded that a small amount of silver nanoparticles
Kumar Patel, alumni of UPES School of Engineering. can act as a catalyst to harmful dyes that can
degrade our natural environment, resulting in cost-
The paper is titled ‘GC-MS based lemon grass effective and pollutant-reducing results.”
metabolite analysis involved in the synthesis of
silver nanoparticles and evaluation of photo-catalytic “This study is significant since silver nanoparticles
degradation of methylene blue.’ It was published have antimicrobial activity and have potential use
in Springer’s BioMetals, an international, multi- in the delivery of drugs to specific tissues with
disciplinary journal on the role of metal ions in greater accuracy. It is employed as an antimicrobial,
biological systems. chemotherapeutic and in cosmetology,” says Aakash.

Aakash and Arsh are currently pursuing their For Arsh and Aakash, this research has led them
Bachelor’s degrees in Pharmacy. They were introduced to a whole different world of learning, and they hope
to research by their faculty and mentor, Deepanmol to work on more such projects in the future.
Singh. “He was working on silver nanoparticle
synthesis and out of curiosity, we questioned about At UPES, students interested in research are
the project. And that’s how we first learned about this mentored by faculty and assisted in every way
topic. We were so intrigued that we began working on it possible – from access to equipment and literature,
immediately,” reveals Aakash. “Curiosity compelled us data collection, to manuscript development. Students
to discover more about silver nanoparticles and other are encouraged to implement their classroom
project components,” Arsh adds. learning in practical work and open their minds to the
possibilities that research can reveal.

46 ACADEMICS NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

UK announces £6.9 M Indo-UK training
programme for medical students

The Prime Minister of the UK, Training Academy to expand Medicine which will provide
Boris Johnson has announced India’s medical capacity in the them with knowledge, hands-
£1 billion of new commercial backdrop of the coronavirus on clinical training and bedside
deals, which also captures pandemic and rising burden medicine by local faculty and
New Delhi-based Ujala Cygnus of non-communicable diseases topped up virtually by UK-based
Healthcare Group’s £6.9 million (NCDs). The Indo-UK Training faculty. The medical aspirants
deal to train Indian doctors in Programme in Acute Medicine will also get a chance to visit all
acute medicine. An advanced has been designed to upskill the NHS Hospitals in the country
Post Graduate Programme Indian MBBS doctors seeking for six weeks to have a first-hand
in Primary Care and Acute higher qualifications and experience of the best practices in
Medicine has been designed training and an aspiring career these healthcare centres so that
by Ujala Cygnus Healthcare in medicine in India. A group they can learn and implement
Group in collaboration with of interested doctors will be those teachings in the Indian
BAPIO (British Association of recruited for this programme and hospitals, where 20 doctors will
Physicians of Indian Origin) will be enrolled in MSc in Acute be selected to work eventually.

IIT-K to build School DAMS unveils
of Medical Sciences
and Technology simulation-based

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has medical education
announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Anil and Kumud Bansal Foundation to Delhi Academy of Medical Sciences (DAMS)
support the establishment of the School of Medical Sciences has launched simulation-based medical
and Technology (SMST). Anil Bansal, the proprietor of education at its Delhi centre. The innovative
the Anil and Kumud Bansal Foundation, is an alumnus of idea of simulation-based education
IIT-K and runs the Foundation, along with his wife Kumud enhances the students from all perspectives
as it provides a structured, learner-centred
Bansal. Under the MoU, the Anil environment in which novice, intermediate,
and Kumud Bansal Foundation and advanced practitioners can learn or
pledges to donate an amount of $2.5 practice skills without causing harm to
million for the establishment of the patients. The innovation of eMedicoz app
School. The school is now named helps to bridge the gap amongst medical
Gangwal School of Medical Sciences students preparing for various career
and Technology. The medical school opportunities at the post-doctoral level and
at IIT-K will be completed in two provides them with a common platform
phases. Phase I of the project will where they can get all useful information
include setting up a 500-bed Super-Specialty Hospital, in one place and prepare for common
Academic Block, Residential/Hostel, and Service Block with national level examinations like NEET-PG,
a total built-up area of approximately 8,10,000 sq ft. Phase NEXT. Through this app, students get the
I will also include setting up Centers of Excellence (CoE) for opportunity to discuss medical cases with
pursuing R&D activities in futuristic medicine. This phase is their seniors and peers across the world.
tentatively planned to be completed over the next three to
five years. Phase II of the project will see the hospital capacity
grow to 1000 beds, expansion in clinical departments/
centres, research areas, the inclusion of paramedical
disciplines, alternative medicine, hospital management,
sports medicine, and public health programmes. Phase II is
planned to be completed over 7-10 years.

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com R&D NEWS 47

IIT Jodhpur’s MTCD AI IIT Mandi’s diabetes
algorithm could revolutionise
cataract detection drug molecule could

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) deliver inexpensive
Jodhpur have proposed a multitask deep learning Artificial
Intelligence (AI) algorithm for automated cataract detection. treatment option
The proposed method uses eye images captured in the near-
infrared domain and is computationally inexpensive, yielding Researchers at the Indian Institute of
high accuracy. Known as MTCD, the proposed multitask Technology (IIT) Mandi, along with other
deep learning algorithm is inexpensive and results in very institutes, have identified a drug molecule
high levels of accuracy. It is also cost-effective as low-cost that can be used to treat diabetes. The
NIR cameras are used in place of costly ophthalmoscopes. molecule PK2 can trigger the release of
The proposed method can be used in rural settings where insulin by the pancreas and can potentially
the availability of doctors is limited. The researchers plan to be used as an orally administered medicine
undertake an extensive data collection exercise for building for diabetes. The multi-institutional team
an ophthalmology databank with different kinds of devices. first used computer simulation methods
The second part improves the approach and creates an to screen various small molecules that can
explainable and robust AI algorithm for cataract detection. bind with GLP1R. While PK2, PK3, and
IIT Jodhpur has collaborated with the Postgraduate Institute PK4 had good binding abilities with GLP1R,
of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh, they subsequently chose PK2 because
to further expand this research. of its better solubility in solvents. The
researchers then synthesised PK2 in the
lab for further testing. In order to test the
biological effects of PK2, the researchers
administered it orally to experimental
mice developing diabetes and measured
glucose levels and insulin secretion. There
was a six-fold increase in serum insulin
levels in PK2-treated mice over the control
group. These findings provide hope for
inexpensive oral drugs for diabetic patients.

IISc suggests use of asthma drug to
block crucial SARS-CoV-2 protein

A drug used to treat asthma that the drug binds strongly to immune cells and shut down
and allergies can bind to and one end (C-terminal) of a SARS- the synthesis of vital proteins
block a crucial protein produced CoV-2 protein called Nsp1, required by the immune system,
by the virus SARS-CoV-2, and which is one of the first viral thereby weakening it. Targeting
reduce viral replication in human proteins unleashed inside the Nsp1 could therefore reduce the
immune cells, according to a human cells. This protein can damage inflicted by the virus.
new study by researchers at the bind to ribosomes – the protein- Clinicians have tried using the
Indian Institute of Science (IISc). making machinery – inside our drug, and there are reports that
Approved by the US Food and said that montelukast reduced
Drug Administration (FDA), the hospitalisation in COVID-19
drug, called montelukast, has patients. The team plans to work
been around for more than 20 with chemists to see if they can
years and is usually prescribed to modify the structure of the drug
reduce inflammation caused by to make it more potent against
conditions like asthma, hay fever SARS-CoV-2. They also plan to
and hives. In the study published continue hunting for similar drugs
in eLife, the researchers show with strong antiviral activity.

48 BIO INSIGHT BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Increased Cell Yields for Cell Based Assays Using
the Corning® HYPERFlask™ Cell Culture Vessel

SnAPPShots Hilary A. Sherman, HEK Cre-Luc cells (HEK-293 cells transfected with firefly
Ana Maria P. Pardo, and luciferase gene under the control of a cAMP response ele-
A brief report Todd Upton, Ph.D. ment promoter) were seeded into a HYPERFlask vessel and
from the Corning Corning Incorporated T175 flasks at a concentration of 1x104 cells/cm2 in IMDM
Applications Group Life Sciences supplemented with 0.1 mg/mL Hygromycin and 10% FBS.
Kennebunk, Maine Flasks were incubated for 72 hours in a humidified incubator
at 37°C and 5% CO2. After 72 hours cells were harvested
Introduction using HyQTASE and resuspended in IMDM without phe-
The need for large quantities of cells for HTS cell-based assays nol red (Gibco) supplemented with 10% FBS. Cells were
continues to motivate organizations to search for methods to enumerated using trypan blue exclusion and a Z2 series
achieve larger cell numbers with minimal investment. The particle counter and brought to a concentration of 2x105
challenge is to generate large quantities of cells that all behave cells/mL. Before seeding cells and inducing them, 5 µL of
the same in cell based assays. In order to provide a solution Forskolin was added to each well of a 384 well white plate
it is imperative that the cells generated using such methods (Corning Cat. No. 3570) in a serial dilution starting at a
exhibit similar characteristics such as growth kinetics and concentration of 120 µm. Twenty five microliters of cell sus-
response to stimuli. The Corning HYPERFlask vessel has the pension from each flask was added to half of the plate and
same overall dimensions as a standard T175 flask but was then the plate was returned to the incubator. The next day,
developed to generate approximately 10 times as many cells. steadylite lyophilized substrate (PerkinElmer No. 6016989)
A single HYPERFlask vessel can be used to seed as many as was resuspended per vendor’s protocol and 25 µL was added
100 384 well plates. Here we looked at the performance of two to each well. Plates were incubated in the dark for 5 minutes
common cell lines; HEK Cre-Luc and M1WT2 cells grown and then read on an LJL Aquest (Molecular Devices). Rela-
on the HYPERFlask vessel in comparison to traditional T flasks tive luminescence was measured and were compared for sig-
by conducting luminescence reporter gene and calcium mobi- nal to background ratio, CV’s and Z' assays with cells from
lization assays. The results show that the HYPERFlask vessel is each vessel.
capable of expanding existing cell culture capacities ~10 fold,
thus increasing the capability of HTS cell-based assays without Results
affecting cell function. The calcium mobilization assay is a fluorescence based assay
that works by measuring changes in intracellular calcium.
Materials and Methods M1WT2 cells are stably transfected cells that respond to
For the calcium mobilization assay M1WT2 cells (CHO-K1 carbachol stimulation by producing calcium. Carbachol dose
cells transfected with the muscarinic receptor), cells were response studies were repeated 3 times (results shown below),
seeded into T175 flasks (Corning Cat. No. 431306) and in order to compare the calcium response of cells grown on
HYPERFlask (Corning Cat. No. 10010) vessels at a con- the HYPERFlask vessel as well as traditional T flasks. In this
centration of 1 x 104 cells/cm2 in Ham’s F12 medium assay both flasks were found to have no significant difference
(Mediatech) supplemented with 10% FBS and 0.1 mg/mL in kinetics of carbachol dose response, signal to background
G418. Cells were incubated (humidified, 37°C and 5% ratio, CV’s, or Z' (Figures 1 and 2). Collectively, these
CO2) for 72 hours. After 72 hours, cells were harvested with results indicate that cells grown in the HYPERFlask vessel
HyQTASE dissociation solution (Hyclone) and enumerated behave identically to those grown in traditional T flasks and
using trypan blue exclusion and a Z2 series particle counter are suitable for use in standard cell based assay high
(Beckman Coulter). Cells were centrifuged and resuspended throughput screens.
in Ham’s F12 medium supplemented with 2% FBS and 0.1
mg/mL G418 at a concentration of 3x105 cells/mL. One
hundred microliters of each cell suspension (3x104 cells/well)
was seeded into half of a 96 well black clear bottom tissue
culture treated microplate (Corning Cat. No. 3904) and cul-
tured for 24 hours. Using the FLIPR® Calcium 3 Assay kit
(Molecular Devices, Part No. R8091) plates were processed
following the manufacturers recommended protocol using
carbachol to generate an intracellular calcium response.
Plates were read on a Flexstation II 384 (Molecular Devices).

BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIO INSIGHT 49

The luciferase reporter gene assay is a luminescence based the EC50 for both vessels is similar indicating that the
assay that measures luciferase expression. Forskolin was used HYPERFlask vessel provides identical or improved assay
to induce cAMP levels in a dose response manner on stably quality and results. This latter result also indicates that for
transfected HEK-Cre-Luc (cAMP response element- some cell lines the HYPERFlask vessel produces cells with
luciferase) cells. Forskolin dose response studies were an improved assay window.
repeated at least 3 times (results shown below), in order to
compare the response of cells grown on the HYPERFlask Conclusions
vessel as well as traditional T flasks. Cells grown in the ◗ Cells grown in the Corning® HYPERFlask vessel perform
HYPERFlask vessel were shown to have lower CV’s than
the assays performed from traditional T flasks (Figure 3). as good as or better than cells grown in a T175 flask in
This indicates that the cell population from the HYPERFlask signaling assays.
vessel is more uniform and responds more consistently than ◗ Assay performance for cells grown in the HYPERFlask
traditional T flasks in the assay. Subsequently, this results in vessel were better for both CV and Z'
better Z’s (Figure 3). Interestingly, this cell type grown in ◗ HEK Cre-Luc cells grown in the HYPERFlask vessel have
the HYPERFlask vessel did show a greater assay window an approximate three fold greater assay window than cells
than traditional T flasks as evidenced by the nearly 3 fold grown in T175 flasks.
greater signal to background ratio (Figure 4). Importantly,

Figure 1. Carbachol Dose Response Figure 2. Carbachol Dose Response
80000
70000 Signal:Background16 T175
60000 14 HYPERFlask
50000 12
40000 10 5 1.25 0.313 0.078 0.012 0.005 0
30000 Carbachol (µM)
20000 8
10000 6
4
0 2
RFU T175 0
0.005 Percent CV0.020 0.078 0.313 1.250 HYPERFlask
Carbachol (µM) 20
Z' 5.000 20.000

Figure 3. Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay Figure 4. Forskolin Dose Response

CV 1.00 50

10

8 0.75 45

6 Signal:Background 40
0.50
35
4
30 T175
2 0.25 HYPERFlask
25

20
15 EC50 = 2 µM
0 T175 HYPERFlask 0
Vessel T175 HYPERFlask 10
Vessel
5 EC50 = 1.2 µM

0 6.667 2.222 0.741 0.247 0.082 0.027 0
20

Forskolin (µM)

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50 LET’S TALK HEALTH BIOSPECTRUM | JUNE 2022 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Keeping Digital
Check on Hypertension

Did you know that hypertension or high blood the next generation of clinical wearables. Aktiia’s
pressure (BP) is one of the commonest non- optical sensor at the wrist measures around the
communicable diseases (NCDs), and a major clock, providing data that can be instantly viewed in
public health concern accounting for 19 per cent a mobile app and easily shared. Another US-based
of all NCD-based deaths globally? In South Asia, firm Vivalink has developed a blood pressure patch
hypertension is estimated to be the third leading in the form of a wireless network that is enabled to
cause of death and disability, after household air automatically capture and send a continuous stream
pollution and tobacco smoking. In addition, it is an of data to clinical applications in the cloud.
independent risk factor for coronary heart disease;
and the asymptomatic nature of hypertension On the other hand, Israel-based firm Binah is using
contributes to a lack of awareness of this condition, the smartphone camera for contactless, video-based
thus being labelled a ‘silent killer’. blood pressure measurement, which the company
says is a first-of-its kind technology, thereby enabling
According to the Indian Council of Medical remote patient monitoring for hypertension. However,
Research (ICMR), one in four adults in India suffers regulators have not approved the technology yet.
from hypertension and only 10 per cent of patients
have their blood pressure under control. Despite this Going a step further, researchers at the University
situation, India is ranked 193rd for women and 170th of Missouri, US are customising a commercial finger
for men in the rate of hypertension diagnosis among clip device to provide a rapid, noninvasive way
200 countries, as per a Lancet report in 2021. for measuring and continually monitoring blood
pressure.
Since a wide variety of factors can influence
BP, continuous monitoring is essential. In general, The fact that BP, influenced by a variety of
BP tends to be higher in the morning and lower at factors, is driving research into the use of machine
night. While excessive morning BP surge has been learning technology based on big data to extract the
associated with increased stroke risk and cerebral optimal features required to monitor BP and develop
haemorrhage, increased night-time BP or nocturnal algorithms that produce values and meet system
hypertension may be associated with sleep apnoea. validation requirements.

This means that accurate detection of The most common machine learning algorithms
perturbations in the BP profile and any associated evaluated in the development of BP models to date,
triggers is important to reduce cardiovascular risk include neural networks, linear regression, support
and the occurrence of adverse events. In this digital vector machine, random forest, and deep learning.
era, wearable devices with beat-by-beat monitoring Although these are showing promise, techniques
and sensors to determine environmental conditions need to be refined to improve and optimise accuracy
are ideally suited to fulfill this role as part of the before machine learning approaches are taken into
overall management of hypertension. application for widespread clinical usage. Lower
levels of technology literacy in some older patients
Although app-based measurements are limited by may limit the usefulness of these approaches
reliability, and a large proportion of devices marketed in an important subset of the population with
for home BP monitoring are unvalidated, there is hypertension.
a growing body of evidence to support wearable
medical devices from experienced manufacturers. In Nevertheless, early detection and treatment of
fact, new wrist-cuff devices are expected to cause less hypertension through widespread screening is a
discomfort and muscle compression than traditional potential strategy to reduce the substantial lifetime
upper arm cuffs for measuring the blood pressure. health & cost burdens associated with this illness.

For example, Aktiia is bringing its 24/7 Blood Dr Manbeena Chawla
Pressure Monitor to the United States, delivering Executive Editor

[email protected]