BioSpectrum India October 2020 ( North America Edition )

Tofflon Chromatography Systems is designed for downstream biopro-
cessing of biopharmaceuticals in accordance with cGMP and FDA
requirements. It is fully automatic, available from pilot to industrial scale.

Features：
• Completed automatic system

• In compliance with cGMP and FDA requirement
• 21 CFR part 11 & EU annex 11 compliance
• USP class VI compliance MOC
• Analysis of chromatograph – Single batch & multi batch comparative Report
• International Brand spare parts with higher precision and accuracy for
superior performance & reliable quality

Contact:
Shanghai Tofflon Science and Technology Co., Ltd
Tel: + 86 21 64901123
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tofflon.com

Why Choose
Corning Fetal
Bovine Serum?

Corning high-quality
fetal bovine serum
products complement
our wide range of
sterile, low endotoxin
classical cell culture
media perfectly.

Origin Statement

We offer several premium FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) products collected in approved abattoirs from herds in the
United States. Also, our regular FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) is collected in approved facilities from herds located in
countries approved by the USDA for importation into the United States. In certain regions we also provide South
America-sourced FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) manufactured at facilities approved by the appropriate local authorities.

Sera Processing ISIA Traceability Certified

Corning Life Sciences has been traceability
certified according to the International Serum
Industry Association (ISIA) Traceability Program.

EDQM Certificates of Suitability

Fetal Bovine Serum, United States Origin

This product has been granted a Certificate of
Suitability, R0-CEP 2018-271, by the European
Directorate for the Quality of Medicines
(EDQM) certifying that the product meets the
criteria described in the current version of the
monograph no. 1483 of the European
Pharmacopoeia “Product with risk of
transmitting agent of animal spongiform
encephalopathies.”

Stay tuned for more update about our
FBS offering!

India [email protected]

t 91 124 4604000
f 91 124 4604099

4 BIO CONTENT BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

COVER
DESIGN BY:
DOMINIX STRATEGIC
DESIGN PVT. LTD.

COVERSTORY 20.........................................................................................................................................................

THE INDIAN E-PHARMACY
MANTHAN SAGA

Amazon, Reliance and Flipkart v/s the others… The question is who will win? Will this pitting
of wits drive new innovations in healthcare delivery and add value to customers?

WorldMentalHealthDay Q&A

29 33

India bracing for “The biotechnology industry in
mental health crisis India is entering a new era of growth”
Sanjay Singh,

Partner – Deal Advisory,
Head of Lifesciences, KPMG, Mumbai

35

“We are in talks with Karnataka to
deploy Vevra pods across the state”
Mahesh Krishnahari,

Director & Founder, Vevra Group, Bengaluru

36

“We have the capacity to produce over
10M COVID-19 tests per week globally”
Amit Chopra,

Managing Director, India and Middle East,
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Mumbai

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIO CONTENT 5

PHARMAMANUFACTURING TOPVIDEO

38 Hemant Punekar,
Application
Securing India’s Engineering
pharma industry Manager -
from Cyber Risk Healthcare, Ansys,
Dick Bussiere, Pune is of the view
that computational
Technical Director for APAC, fluid dynamics
Tenable, Singapore can be used to
scale up vaccine
REGULARS production.

BioEdit ........................................................................06 Scan the QR Code »
BioMail .......................................................................08
Policy and Regulatory News.....................................10
Company News..........................................................14
Finance News.............................................................16
Start-up News............................................................17
WHO News.................................................................19
People News..............................................................42
R&D News...................................................................44
Academic News.........................................................48
Supplier News............................................................49

A Millipore® Mind believes in The life science business of Merck KGaA, Preparation, Separation,
being an expert that helps Darmstadt, Germany operates as Filtration & Monitoring Products
advance your daily work. MilliporeSigma in the US and Canada.

Understanding your world drives everything
we do. With a sharp focus on your needs,
we design smart products that set
industry standards for performance,
consistency and risk mitigation, ensuring
your work flows smoothly and meets the
highest global performance standards.

To find out more, visit:
SigmaAldrich.com/MilliporeMind

MilliporeSigma, the vibrant M and Millipore are trademarks of Merck KGaA,
Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. Detailed information on trademarks is available via
publicly accessible resources.
© 2020 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

6 BIO EDIT BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Fast track drug discovery

From zillions of molecules narrowing down to a a vast majority therapies fail somewhere between
few that are useful to find a cure is a gigantic clinical trials and regulatory approval and very few
task that almost every new drug has to pass become successful to reach to the patients with huge
through. Identifying molecules, which are useful amounts going waste in failures.
for a specific biological target involved in a disease
is at the core of the drug development process. It AI involvement is a possible answer to both
involves several experiments and selection from the challenges as it can be engaged in various
large permutations and combinations. Recently, activities in the entire process of drug development.
Indian tech giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Use of AI leads to faster results and reduction in
was able to identify 31 molecular compounds that the uncertainties involved in drug development,
hold promise towards finding a cure for COVID-19. naturally reducing attrition rate and the R&D cost.
No wonder, AI involvement in drug development is
Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a key part of this growing. The collective market volume of various
discovery as the research team took the help of an AI AI-based medical services like imaging, diagnostics,
model to identify the molecules. Its suggestions were drug discovery and genomics is projected to reach
filtered to 1450 molecules and further shortlisted to $10 billion by 2024.
31 that could possibly be synthesised. Of course,
identifying molecules is an initial step and a lot more Besides the various steps involved in drug
needs to be done to successfully discover a drug. The development like identifying molecules, drug
research team is working now on synthesized testing repurposing, target identification & validation
of the 31 molecular compounds in the labs of Council and biomarkers development AI is useful also for
for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). biomedical, clinical and patient data. Clinical trial
is another area for which also TCS has provided
Usage of AI in drug development has resulted solutions. The Advanced Drug Development (ADD)
in several collaborations between biopharma Analytics & Insights platform developed by TCS has
producers and AI driven companies for R&D in new furthered a digital transformation in clinical trials. It
drugs. As a result, AI engagement for drug discovery has allowed pharma companies to remotely review
is picking up fast as it automates many parts of critical parameters and key performance indices,
the process. Analytics and statistical models have execute data driven decisions and enabled targeted
been used for long but AI can go a step ahead and operational monitoring.
rapidly evaluate multiple scenarios with multitude
of parameters. It brings in an ability to deal with One of the apprehensions in usage of AI is that
new levels of scale and complexity in data, reducing it can surpass human intelligence to become super
the duration of discovery considerably. Shorter intelligent. However, the AI being used in drug
duration for new drug development means a lot of development and some other healthcare services
saving in investments for pharma companies, which are known as narrow AI whose intelligence is used
are already suffering due to growing R&D cost. for only restricted type of tasks and solutions and
they are unable to think and work beyond a specific
Growing R&D cost is one of the major challenges problem given to them and for which they are
the pharma industry is facing. The cost of created.
discovering and developing a drug has gone up from
$800 million in 2001 to nearly $3 billion in 2019. Despite the apprehensions, considering the
While the cost is growing the returns on investment benefits of AI to overcome the challenges in pharma
are reducing due to availability of more options of R&D, it is expected to bring in an era of quicker,
treatment, which is adding to the challenge. cheaper and more-effective drug discovery.

The second serious challenge the industry faces Milind Kokje
is the high attrition rate in development process as Chief Editor

[email protected]



8 BIO MAIL BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Vol 18; Issue 9; September 2020

Acknowledgements The video feature of Caremont
highlighting the potential of simulation
A fantastic editorial in BioSpectrum technology is well appreciated by the
September 2020. I loved the honesty! team. Thank you.

- Karnvir, Bengaluru - Ashritha G S, Bengaluru

Thank you so much for the coverage on The interview feature of Dr Ramgopal
the IITs in the September edition. Rao S, Biocon Academy has come out
well. Much thanks.
- Palak Sakhuja, New Delhi
- Riddhima Jaitly, Bengaluru
The article by Dr Dharminder Nagar
looks great. Thank you so much.

- Vinay M, Bengaluru

Vol 18; Issue 10; October 2020 MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications

Publisher & Managing Editor: South Region New Delhi INTERNATIONAL
Ravindra Boratkar Alok Srivastava Dr Manbeena Chawla
National Business Head- Media Coordinator Singapore
Editorial: Ad Sales & Marketing 103-104, Rohit House 3, MM Activ Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Chief Editor: Dr Milind Kokje “NITON”, Block B, Lower Ground Floor, Tolstoy Marg, Connaught Place, Saradha Mani
[email protected] 11/3, Palace Road, Bangalore 560001 New Delhi - 110 001 General Manager
Mobile: +91-9845128747 Mobile: +91-8861043732 #08-08, High Street Centre,
Advisor - Content: Vijay Thombre Tel.: +91-80-41131912/13 [email protected] 1 North Bridge Road,
[email protected] Singapore - 179094
General Manager Content Creation Tel: +65-63369142
and Coordination: Narayan Kulkarni Mumbai Pune Fax:+65-63369145
Content Team: [email protected]
Bengaluru & New Delhi: Ankit Kankar Ankit Kankar
Dr Manbeena Chawla Manager- Product & Manager- Product & USA
Singapore: Hithaishi C. Bhaskar Strategic Communications Strategic Communications BioSpectrum Bureau
Social Media Editor: Ankit Kankar 1st Floor, CIDCO Convention Center, Ashirwad, 36/A/2, S.No. 270, Pallod MM Activ Sci-Tech
[email protected] Sector 30A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Farms, Baner Road, Pune- 411045 Communications
Maharashtra-400703. Mobile: +91-9579069369 Mobile: +91-9579069369
CFO & Special Correspondent: Mobile: +91-9579069369 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Manasee Kurlekar [email protected]
Europe
Production & Design: Nagpur Mr. Stuart Smith
MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Manisha Boratkar 6 Cobden Court, Wimpole Close,
Anil Walunj 402, Govind Apartments, Shankar Nagar Square, Bromley, Kent BR2 9JF
Nagpur - 440 010. Tel. +91-712-2555 249 E-mail: stuart.smith@
Product & Marketing globalmediasales.co.uk
Ankit Kankar Printed and published by E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected] Ravindra Boratkar on behalf of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Pvt Ltd Tel: +44 (0)20 8464 5577
Mobile: 07973 814753
Content Creation and Printed at Spectrum Offset, D-101, 1st Floor, Satyam Estate, Behind
Coordination: CDSS, Erandwane, Pune-411038. Maharashtra. Tel : +91 20 2543 6556
Dr Manbeena Chawla TIN No: 09565712431
[email protected] Published from Ashirwad, 36/A/2, S.No. 270, Pallod Farms,
Near Bank of Baroda, Baner Road, Pune- 411045.Tel. No: +91 20 2729 1769
Circulation, Subscription and Website: www.biospectrumindia.com
Media Enquiry:
Asmita Thakar
[email protected]

Disclaimer: Owner of the magazine support these views. for the accuracy or
 Readers are advised to will not be liable for any  Contents and completeness of
consequences. information provided
make proper enquires  Views expressed in advertisements in therein. Readers must
before entering into any the published articles BioSpectrum are purely undertake research and
commitment in relations are personal opinions for information purposes take professional advice
to advertisements of the contributors. and the Publisher & before acting on any
appearing in this BioSpectrum does not Editor of BioSpectrum information provided in
publication. The Printer, necessarily claim to give no warranty and BioSpectrum.
Publisher, Editor and accept no responsibility



10 POLICY AND REGULATORY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

NPPA sets up pricing unit in Karnataka

A Price Monitoring and Resource They act as collaborating partners Controllers of states/ Union
Unit (PMRU) has been set up of NPPA with information Territories (UTs). NPPA has
in Karnataka under the aegis of gathering mechanism at the already set up of PMRUs in 12
National Pharmaceutical Pricing grass-roots level. They will states/ UTs, including Kerala,
Authority (NPPA), Department render necessary technical Odisha, Gujarat, Rajasthan,
of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry assistance to both the NPPA Haryana, Nagaland, Tripura,
of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and the respective State Drug Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra
Government of India. PMRU will
function at the state level under Pradesh, Mizoram and
the direct supervision of the State Jammu & Kashmir.
Drug Controller for increasing NPPA has plans to
outreach of NPPA. The set up PMRUs in all
primary function of the 36 states/ UTs.
PMRUs is to assist Till now, NPPA is
NPPA in monitoring of
prices of drugs, ensuring headquartered at Delhi
availability of drugs and only and with the setting up of
raising consumer awareness. PMRUs in states/ UTs, NPPA
shall have outreach at state level
as well.

Japan commits Centre launches
Rs 3500 Cr to strengthen
Indian health sector National Digital

The government of Japan has committed Official Health Mission
Development Assistance loan of an amount of Rs 3500
crore for the COVID-19 Crisis Emergency Response Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the
Support. This programme loan aims to support India’s launch of the National Digital Health Mission
efforts in fighting COVID-19 and to prepare the health (NDHM) on August 15. NDHM, which comes
system to manage future epidemics and also to improve under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri
Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), is expected
the resilience of to improve the efficiency, effectiveness,
India’s health and transparency of health services in the
systems against country. As per the NDHM, every Indian will
infectious be given a health ID, which will work like
diseases. This a health account of every individual. This
grant-in-aid account will contain your details of every test,
from Japan is for every disease, the doctors you visited, the
providing medical medicines you took and the diagnosis. With
equipment to its suite of digital products such as HealthID,
strengthen the DigiDoctor, Health Facility Registry, personal
public health and health records, e-Pharmacy and telemedicine,
medical system in NDHM is intended to support timely access to
India. This will strengthen the healthcare facilities for safe affordable healthcare for all citizens and
managing critical and serious patients suffering from accelerate India’s progress towards Universal
COVID-19 infection. India and Japan have had a long Health Coverage (UHC).
and fruitful history of bilateral development cooperation
since 1958. In the last few years, the economic
cooperation between India and Japan has strengthened
and grown into strategic partnership. This further
consolidates and strengthens the strategic and global
partnership between India and Japan.

Waters (India) Pvt. Ltd.

36A, 2nd Phase, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore - 560 058. Tel: 080-49292200-03 (3 lines)
Fax: 080-49292204, E-mail: [email protected]

Mumbai : Tel : 022-25170127, Fax : 022-25170616, E-mail : [email protected]
New Delhi : Tel : 011 - 40194100 - 4149, Fax : 011 - 40194115, E-mail: [email protected]
Kolkata : Tel : 033-23678338, Fax: 033-23678339 , E-mail: [email protected]
Hyderabad : Tel : 040-27901532, Telefax : 040-27901586, E-mail: [email protected]
Chandigarh : Tel : 0172-2623149, Telefax : 0172-2623295, E-mail: [email protected]
Ahmedabad : Tel : 079-29702903, Fax : 079-29702904, E-mail: [email protected]
Chennai : Tel : 044-22350336

12 POLICY AND REGULATORY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

DBT opens biopharma DST picks
analysis centre in Pune 11 teams
to scout for
The Centre for Biopharma Analysis (CBA) supported by the National COVID-19
Biopharma Mission (NBM) of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) solutions
- Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
at Pune based technology business incubator, Venture Center has Eleven teams of Indian and US
scientists will soon start jointly
started its operations. CBA will scouting for out of the box
provide high-quality analytical solutions ranging from novel
services for biopharmaceutical early diagnostic tests, antiviral
developers and manufacturers. therapy, drug repurposing,
This centre is envisioned ventilator research,
to become a resource for disinfection machines, and
structural and functional sensor-based symptom
characterization of biologicals tracking for COVID-19. The
and biopharmaceuticals that teams have been selected
will create long lasting value for to take up these initiatives
bioentrepreneurs and industry. through a rigorous binational
CBA is aimed at playing a pivotal review process of proposals
role in supporting biopharma received for an invitation
innovations from academic and under COVID-19 Ignition
government research labs, startups and many Indian companies with Grants in April 2020 issued
not only high-quality analytical characterization but also advise on by the U.S.-India Science and
studies needed for regulatory approvals. This can help speed up the Technology Endowment Fund
development process. (USISTEF). The USISTEF
announced the awards
ICMR issues new to eleven bilateral teams
COVID-19 testing advisory proposing out-of-the-box,
innovative ideas to address
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued a new the COVID-19 challenge. The
advisory stating that all people living in containment zones should be USISTEF has been established
tested using rapid antigen testing (RAT) kits, especially in the cities by the Department of Science
that are badly affected by & Technology (DST) and the
the coronavirus outbreak. governments of the United
It has also recommended States of America through the
testing on-demand for all Department of State for the
individuals undertaking promotion of joint activities
travel to other countries that would lead to innovation
or Indian states and entrepreneurship through
mandating a negative the application of science and
COVID-19 test at the technology.
point of entry. The states,
however, can use their
discretion to modify the
approach, according
to the fresh advisory.
According to the new
advisory, if an individual
develops symptoms following a negative RAT, a RT-PCR test should
be done. The advisory further mentions that no emergency procedure
should be delayed for lack of tests, and pregnant women should not be
referred for a lack of testing facility.

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com SPPORNOSDOURCETDINCOANCTTIEONNT 1133
BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Thermo Scientific™ HyPerforma™ DynaDrive

A next-level innovation
in single-use bioreactors

Designed to accommodate modern cell-line processes, the Thermo Scientific™
HyPerforma™ DynaDrive Single-Use Bioreactor (S.U.B.) has multiple features that help
take large-scale cell culture to the next level. The hardware, drivetrain, and sparging
approach have been redesigned to optimize mixing dynamics, scale, and performance.

Features of the HyPerforma DynaDrive S.U.B. include:

Large-volume capacity of 50 L and 10:1 turndown ratio in the Mixing times, power to input
500 L, with the option of scaling up 50 L unit, and 20:1 turndown volume (PIV), and kLa performance
to 3,000 L and 5,000 L in the 500 L unit are optimized for modern cell
culture processes
>100 million cells/mL

Ready to scale up? Find out more at
thermofisher.com/dynadrive

For Research Use or Further Manufacturing. Not for diagnostic use or direct administration into humans or animals.
© 2020 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific and its subsidiaries
unless otherwise specified. COL011604 0920

14 COMPANY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Abbott develops CSM Technologies
unveils COVID-19
PR version of cardiac vaccine tracker

drug Ivabradine CSM Technologies in Bhubaneshwar has designed and
developed CoVaTrack, the first India focused COVID-19
American multinational company Abbott vaccine and treatment tracker. Under its Corporate Social
has recently announced that it has received Responsibility (CSR) programme, CSM has tried to bring
approval from the Drugs Controller General some respite to the most concerned subject of today.
of India (DCGI) for its Ivabradine, once- COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most searched topic in
a-day formulation. Abbott has developed the Internet as people are sifting through volumes of
India’s first once-daily prolonged-release (PR) information to find out about the latest developments
version of Ivabradine indicated for patients in this space. CoVaTrack is a one stop destination to get
with chronic heart failure and chronic stable information about the vaccine development, as pharma
angina to address the unmet need for chronic companies, researchers and nations from across the
cardiac diseases world are working at a feverish pace to stop coronavirus
in India. Abbott in its track, which has caused enormous havoc and
plans to launch distress world over. The tracker aims to provide every
the Ivabradine such information about the developers and researchers
PR tablets in the of ongoing trials that can encourage others in the similar
Indian market lines and the development authorities to partner, invest
in the coming and fast track such efforts.
weeks. A phase
3 clinical study
conducted by Abbott across 21 centers in
India, the first of its kind to be conducted for
this formulation, showed Ivabradine PR once-
a-day formulation to be comparable with the
conventional Ivabradine twice-a-day, in the
management of patients with stable chronic
heart failure, with comparable efficacy and
safety profile. Ivabradine helps maintain a
stable heart rate and prevent it from spiking,
which is an important prerequisite in reducing
symptoms and in improving the prognosis of
both conditions.

Roche enters into strategic alliance with Indian partners

Roche Diabetes Care (RDC) India with Wellthy Therapeutics, the
recently entered into strategic
alliance with Indian partners company is now offering its
to fulfil its commitment of
providing true relief to persons Accu-Chek Active users remote
with diabetes (PwD) through
integrated Personalised Diabetes access to personalized coaching
Management (iPDM) solutions.
The company has partnered with from highly skilled diabetes
emerging Indian business such
as Phable, Wellthy Therapeutics educators, round-the-clock
and PharmEasy to bolster its
outreach to the PwDs. Through its support based on individual
partnership with Phable, women
with GDM using Accu-Chek needs, and implementation of
meters will now have access to
goal-and-condition based diabetes

management plans to improve

self-care behaviors for better

a healthcare practitioner (HCP) health outcomes. Through the
to monitor their diabetes closely
and make necessary therapy partnership with PharmEasy,
titrations via the PhableCare app.
Renewing its existing partnership RDC India has enhanced customer

service by addressing key customer

pain points.

A powerful For more information,
upstream viral visit our website:
safety solution

Bioreactor contaminations
are highly disruptive and
costly events.

Viresolve® Barrier filters are
the last line of defense against
bioreactor contamination. These
filters minimize risk to make
your work more secure and:

• Protect bioreactors from
viral, mycoplasma and
bacterial contamination

• Enable scalable, high flux
virus filtration of cell culture
media

• Maintain cell culture
performance

Viresolve® Barrier filters are part
of the Mobius® library.
MerckMillipore.com/Singleuse-MyWay

Viresolve® Barrier filters are supported by
the Emprove® Program - your fast track
through regulatory challenges.
MerckMillipore.com/Emprove

© 2020 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and/or its affiliates. All
Rights Reserved. Merck, the vibrant M, Millipore, Emprove, Mobius,
and Viresolve are trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or
its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners. Detailed information on trademarks is available via publicly
accessible resources. 32897 09/2020

The life science business
of Merck operates as
MilliporeSigma in the
U.S. and Canada.

16 FINANCE NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Advent buys controlling stake in RA Chem Pharma

Mumbai based Advent ranges from pharmaceuticals to
niche areas of animal health and
International, one of the largest cosmeceuticals, supported by four
manufacturing units, two R&D
and most experienced global laboratories and a clinical research
facility. Advent has committed
private equity investors, has over $1.7 billion globally in six
companies across the healthcare
announced that it has signed a sector in the last 12 months. The
firm has also committed more
definitive agreement to acquire than $700 million in seven Indian
businesses over the same period in
a controlling stake in RA Chem varied sectors such as healthcare,
consumer, and financial services
Pharma, a vertically integrated amongst others.

pharmaceutical company from

Micro Labs. Founded in 2003 in

Hyderabad, RA Chem Pharma is

one of the most rapidly growing forward integrated into pellets,
formulations and clinical research
pharmaceutical companies in to provide end-to-end offerings to
its customers. Its product portfolio
India. While the core focus is

API, over time the company has

Oncquest takes over Biological E
Quest Diagnostic’s announces acquisition
Indian facilities of Akorn India

New Delhi based Oncquest Laboratories has recently Hyderabad based Biological E (BE) has
announced the acquisition of world-renowned Quest announced the acquisition of Akorn India,
Diagnostic’s Indian facilities, from Strand Life Sciences. a subsidiary of Akorn Inc., USA, for an
The acquisition adds a significant muscle power to undisclosed amount. By this strategic
Oncquest and will propel it into an aggressive growth acquisition, BE, which manufactures specialty
trajectory. The erstwhile Quest Diagnostic’s Gurugram generic injectable medicines and also vaccines,
facility was built with the best global standards in the year will be able to enhance its manufacturing
2008 and is one of the largest lab facilities in Asia. Quest capabilities and capacities to produce & supply
exited India and sold off its entire India facilities to Strand its vaccines and injectable medicines. BE
Life Sciences in the year 2018, from whom it has been is in the process of developing a COVID-19
now acquired by Oncquest. The facility in Gurugram will vaccine and may be able to use the facilities at
be the new Oncquest’s National Reference Laboratory. Akorn India, Paonta Sahib Plant in Himachal
The facility is accredited by the National Accreditation Pradesh for commercial scale manufacture of
Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) the vaccine at the appropriate time. The Akorn
and College of American Pathologists (CAP), and can take India plant has a fully staffed sterile injectable
care of all the segments of pathology testing. manufacturing facility with a 39,000 sq mts of
built up area spread over a 14-acre campus with
an annual capacity for about 135 million units
with the potential for immediate expansion of a
further 30 million units.

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com START UP NEWS 17

PerSapein invents device C-CAMP signs pact with
to combat coronavirus India-Sweden Healthcare
Innovation Centre
New Delhi based startup PerSapien Innovations has
invented technology that has now been tested and Bengaluru based Centre for Cellular and Molecular
certified by the Indian Council of Medical Research Platforms (C-CAMP) has signed a pact with the
(ICMR), to kill the COVID-19 virus successfully. India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre
Unlike other methods, this novel technology is a (ISIC) to jointly identify and nurture frugal
chemical and radiation-free device and is the only innovations and
technology invented in India that abides by US make quality
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, healthcare
ISO 10993 for biocompatibility, rendering it affordable and
completely safe for humans and animals. The accessible for
ICMR tested Airlens Minus Corona-indoors has all. This crucial
been invented to protect people from this novel collaboration
Coronavirus and other deadly viruses and is with the Swedish
designed to be completely safe for human beings, ecosystem
free from hazardous chemicals, harmful gases or is aimed
rays, etc. Moreover, the fact that the device runs at building a strong crop of world-class
on water, which is an easily accessible resource biopharmaceuticals, medtech, diagnostics,
globally, unlike chemicals, alcohols, etc. it will nutraceuticals and other healthcare interventions
never fall scarce and will be very inexpensive to in India, for India, and beyond. By the agreement,
deploy and run at a mass scale. C-CAMP and ISIC will leverage each other’s
ecosystems to promote high-impact startups
from the healthcare arena. In particular, startups
will now be able to access the AIIMS Jodhpur
incubation facilities and AIIMS Jodhpur labs for
carrying out clinical research on their products
for a smoother regulatory pathway. ISIC will also
provide networking opportunities for gaining
international traction.

GARDP partners with Bugworks to
tackle serious bacterial infections

Switzerland based Global development programmes

Antibiotic Research and and post-approval studies.

Development Partnership Through this collaboration

(GARDP) has announced with GARDP, Bugworks

a collaboration with is uniquely positioned to

Bengaluru based startup spearhead novel antibiotic

Bugworks Research. development that serves the

GARDP and Bugworks have Indian subcontinent, the

signed a Memorandum ASEAN group of countries,

of Understanding (MoU), in addition to the EU and

which puts in place a Americas. Importantly,

framework to enable Bugworks development and availability this collaboration with GARDP
of lifesaving treatments. This
and GARDP to work together includes working together for is focused on the development
the preparation of regulatory
with the objectives of maximizing strategies, in particular for clinical of antibiotics addressing unmet

the resources and impact of both needs, including for paediatric

organizations to accelerate the and neonatal populations.

18 START UP NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Muse Nanobots Nocca Robotics launches
designs high-flow oxygen therapy device
nanocoating
to inactivate Nocca Robotics, a startup oxygen level supplied to the
coronavirus incubated at the Indian blood. It provides easy oral
Institute of
Muse Nanobots, a subsidiary Technology suctioning and
of the startup Muse Wearables, (IIT), expectoration.
incubated at the Indian Institute Kanpur, has The heated and
of Technology (IIT) in Madras, launched a humidified gas
has launched a nanotech coating high-flow also enhances
for textiles that can inactivate the oxygen epithelial muco-
coronavirus within five minutes of therapy ciliary, thus
contact. Muse nanocoated textiles device, lowering the risk
can offer enhanced protection for Noccarc of respiratory
common people to travel and will H210. The complications
provide great safety to frontline cutting-edge device is proven such as
healthcare, hospital, hotels and to be effective in the treatment pneumonia and delirium. The
restaurant workers. The startup of COVID-19 patients and is use of cannula in the device
conducted a study with US based easy to use and comfortable makes it easy for the patient
Situ Biosciences, which specializes for the patients. It provides to communicate with the
in providing microbial product humidified oxygen-rich air to healthcare professionals and
testing. The study, conducted to the patients through a nasal reduces the risk of tomophobia
understand the effectiveness of the cannula, thus increasing the to the patient caused due to
antiviral coating on coronavirus, intubation.
showed that it inactivated 99.99
per cent of the coronavirus HealYos starts home-based
within five minutes of contact physiotherapy service
time. The study was conducted
in accordance with ISO 18184, Sancheti Institute of Orthopedic and Rehabilitation has recently
the international standards for launched a home-based physiotherapy startup HealYos in Pune.
determining antiviral activity of The startup aims to cater to budding sportspersons with its special
textile products. Apart from direct performance enhancement programmes to women for pregnancy-
installations at partner locations, induced issues and to the elderly with its geriatric physiotherapy
Muse Nanobots also has a coating programmes. When it is difficult for people to visit hospitals
facility based in Bengaluru where frequently for physiotherapy sessions, HealYos plans to cater by
textile companies can send their taking care of the doorstep. It aims to offer easy access to anybody,
fabrics to be treated with the who needs physiotherapy consultation. HealYos will have a detailed
antiviral coating. The startup plans assessment and extensive training programmes for sportspersons. It
to establish three more coating has comprehensive body healing programmes for athletes, pregnant
facilities at different cities to cater women, elderlies. Physiotherapy is conventionally considered a post-
to the textile coating demand and operative rehabilitation treatment approach. But HealYos along
faster turnaround time. with Sancheti Hospital aims to extensively work in prehabilitation
i.e. physiotherapy to prepare patients for surgery, which ensures
faster and complete recovery after the surgery.

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com WHO NEWS 19

WHO highlights disruptions to essential health services

The World Health Organization interruptions in low-income communicable diseases diagnosis
(WHO) has published a first countries. The most frequently and treatment, family planning
indicative survey on the impact disrupted areas reported included and contraception, treatment
of COVID-19 on health systems routine immunization, non- for mental health disorders,
based on 105 countries’ reports. cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Data collected from five regions Countries also reported
over the period from March disruptions in malaria diagnosis
to June 2020 illustrate that and treatment, tuberculosis case
almost every country i.e. 90 per detection and treatment and
cent experienced disruption to antiretroviral treatment. While
its health services, with low- some areas of healthcare, such as
and middle-income countries dental care and rehabilitation, may
reporting the greatest difficulties. have been deliberately suspended
Most countries reported that in line with government protocols,
many routine and elective the disruption of many of the
services have been suspended, other services is expected to have
while critical care, such as cancer harmful effects on population
screening and treatment and health in the short- medium- and
HIV therapy, has seen high-risk long-term.

WHO calls for WHO African region
investment scale-up receives wild
in mental health polio-free certification

For this year’s World Mental Health Day (October The Africa Regional Certification Commission
10), the World Health Organisation (WHO), has certified the WHO African Region as wild
together with partner organizations, United for polio-free after four years without a case. With
Global Mental Health and the World Federation for this historic milestone, five of the six WHO
Mental Health, is calling for a massive scale-up in regions, representing over 90 per cent of the
investment in mental health. To encourage public world’s population, are now free of the wild
action around the world, a World Mental Health Day poliovirus, moving
campaign, Move for mental health: let’s invest will the world closer to
run in September. Countries spend on average only achieving global
2 per cent of their health budgets on mental health. polio eradication.
Despite some increases in recent years, international The Global Polio
development assistance for mental health has never Eradication Initiative
exceeded 1 per cent of all development assistance (GPEI) congratulated
for health. This is despite the fact that for every $1 the national
invested in scaled-up treatment for common mental governments of the
disorders such as depression and anxiety, there is a 47 countries in the WHO African Region for this
return of $5 in improved health and productivity. achievement. Strong leadership and innovation
were instrumental in stopping the wild poliovirus
in the region. The resources and expertise used to
eliminate wild polio have significantly contributed
to Africa’s public health and outbreak response
systems. The polio programme provides far-
reaching health benefits to local communities,
from supporting the African region’s response to
COVID-19 to bolstering routine immunization
against other vaccine-preventable diseases.

20 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

THE INDIAN
E-PHARMACY

MANTHAN SAGA
Amazon, Reliance and Flipkart v/s the others…
The question is who will win? Will this pitting of wits drive new
innovations in healthcare delivery and add value to customers?

The COVID 19 pandemic has opened up According to this white paper, there was
myriad opportunities for digital platforms approximately 2.5x growth (about 8.8 million)
to tap into India’s lucrative healthcare and in the number of households using e-Pharmacy
pharmaceutical industry. The pharma market alone services in the COVID-19 lockdown period. There
is one of the largest in the world and is continuing was a higher representation from the non-metro
to grow. Given the current situation, there has been cities, compared to pre-COVID-19 households.
a macro trend that indicates a growing need for Moreover, approximately 70 per cent+ consumers
online pharmacies as more people seek to order their cited satisfaction with the initiatives undertaken
medications online. Moreover, the entry of tech giant by e-Pharmacy platforms during the COVID-19
Amazon and the acquisition of Netmeds by Reliance pandemic. It is estimated that the e-Pharmacy
gives a clear indication that this sector is all set for a penetration level is likely to reach ~1.4x of its pre-
major disruption. COVID-19 household estimates by FY 25. e-Pharmacy
in India will be able to tap approximately 70 million
Organic adoption of e-Pharmacies: households by FY 25. The Union Home Ministry, vide
a key driver for growth order number 403/2020-D dated March 24, 2020,
specifically mentioned the delivery of medicines
In keeping with this current boom in e-Pharmacy through e-commerce as an essential service. This
demand, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce led to 19 state governments declaring e-Pharmacy
and Industry (FICCI) published a white paper titled services as essential during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“e-Pharmacies at COVID-19 Frontline Fighting the More so, e-Pharmacy platforms have already been the
Odds: Serving the Nation”. The white paper sums investor’s choice pre-COVID, as it saw approximately
up the current trend within the e-Pharmacy market $700 million investments flowing in during FY 20.
during the COVID-19 period and taps the subsequent The recent investor sentiment is also quite positive
response of e-Pharmacy platforms in active towards the sector, led by the organic adoption of
partnership with existing pharmacies.

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 21

e-Pharmacy during the COVID period. during the COVID-19 epidemic, the importance
Additionally, the significance of e-pharmacies of technology and digital infrastructure to deliver
affordable and quality medicines and health services
during this pandemic has also been felt by the to consumers across the country has clearly emerged.
government and so the e-Pharmacy Bill will be soon E-Pharmacy is fulfilling the objectives of national
notified, according to a government source. development and the dream of Digital India of
the Prime Minister. Pharmacy services through
During the release of the FICCI white paper, e-commerce have been notified by the Union Home
Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health Ministry as essential services during COVID-19.
and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family The e-Pharmacy model can work effectively with
Welfare, Government of India, Delhi mentioned, the Government’s Common Services Centres (CSC)
“The overall essence of these circumstances is that aimed at improving access to essential healthcare

22 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

facilities in rural India”. doctor consultations, including scheduling, claims
Similarly, Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, management, etc.”

Delhi added, “The e-Pharmacy sector through an Raising a caution on the dangers of the
active partnership with existing pharmacies, is firmly e-Pharmacy boom they warn, “This will open up a
committed to support the government and help the Pandora’s Box about data security and patient safety.
nation in fighting COVID-19. The industry is working With the proper regulatory framework, guidelines,
24×7 to ensure that people get essential medicines at regular inspections, and interventions, this market is
home all across the country, and the reach of existing going to boom. Frost & Sullivan expects e-Pharmacy
pharmacies are expanded. Importantly, the regular to penetrate 70 million households in India by 2025
medicines required for ongoing treatment are also and also anticipate the e-Pharmacy market to grow to
being delivered. There is an urgent need to nurture 75+ companies by 2025.”
this promising sector with the right set of policy
frameworks and guidelines in order to provide the As e-Pharmacies become highly attractive to
benefits that the sector fosters for the consumers.” both government and investors, it is palpable that
business conglomerates, set their foot strong into this
Adding to this, Sowmya Rajagopalan, Director, lucrative arena. Moreover, if Flipkart, as rumoured,
South Asia at Frost & Sullivan, Singapore and Akshay buys or makes a deal with PharmEasy, then we may
Zanjurne, Programme Manager, Transformational perhaps witness a clash of the titans-like scenario
Health Practice, Frost & Sullivan, Mumbai said that within the sector with Amazon, Flipkart, Reliance
M&A spree within the e-Pharmacy sector started on one side, backed by their massive e-commerce
in 2019 with Medlife acquiring Myra, Reliance infrastructure; 1mg and Apollo Pharmacy on the
acquiring Netmeds, Pharmeasy merging with other side as standalone pharmacy and other digital
Medlife. “This is just the beginning with many more health aspirants trying their best a make a mark. The
mergers, acquisitions, and investments likely to question is who will win?
happen in the next few quarters. Amazon Pharmacy’s
expansion strategy in India is going to be something Will this create an unhealthy business environment
to watch out for. It is important to note that Amazon or strengthen the pharmacy system in India? Will this
made PillPack synonymous with online pharmacy pitting of wits drive new innovations in healthcare
in the US within two years. In the US, Amazon delivery and add value to customers? Will patients
Pharmacy targets chronic disease patients and really benefit or will they be put at more risk?
delivers medicines to their doorstep, which has also
increased medication adherence in the country. Amazon and Reliance set to
The e-Pharmacy market is likely to expand and shake things up in India
integrate, online consultation, online lab testing, and
Amazon has already started with a trial in Bangalore.
REGULATIONS FOR E-PHARMACY Here, Amazon Pharmacy offers prescription

● Drugs that cannot be sold on the e-Pharmacy required, for public health purposes.
Portal: The e-Pharmacy registration holder must ● Maintenance of the e-Portal: Data to be
not deal in drugs that are covered under the
narcotic and psychotropic categories as referred available on the e- Pharmacy portal Registration
to in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic issued in Form 21AA, constitution of the firm
Substances Act, 1985. (details of directors and partners with ownership
patterns), official logo of the e-Pharmacy portal,
● Data Collection: It is mandatory to establish details of the logistic service provider, return policy
an e- Pharmacy portal in India and all the data of the dispensed drugs, etc
generated is to be kept in the country. The data
generated or mirrored through the e-Pharmacy ● Helpline and Grievance Redressal: The
portal cannot be sent or stored, by any means, e-Pharmacy will be required to keep all its
outside the country. customer information confidential but will be duty
bound to disclose any information to the State or
● Confidentiality of Information Generated the Central Government, whenever required, for
through the Portal: The e-Pharmacy will be required public health purposes.
to keep all its customer information confidential
but will be duty bound to disclose any information ● Advertisement and Publicity: e-Pharmacies
to the State or the Central Government, whenever are forbidden to advertise on any media platform
like print, television, or the digital medium.

Source: Frost & Sullivan

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 23

“There would be higher levels of competition in “This is a double-edged sword. Initially, it
the online pharmacy space, we could see newer looks all hunky-dory but if they become
distribution-related initiatives and selling tools / big or monopolistic, they will squeeze
gimmicks employed by the online pharmacy players in both manufacturers and consumers. The
favour of the patients/ consumers, improved accessibility market must be balanced between big
of a wide range of medicines, economical pricing and and small players for a win-win situation”.
increased consumption of over the counter (OTC) drugs”. - KEDAR V CHIKHALIKAR,
- DR SUNIEL DESPANDE, Associate Head Technical Services,
Chairperson, Centre of Excellence in HealthCare, SIES LifeSciences, South Asia, Middle East,
College of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Mumbai

medicines, over-the-counter drugs for common business model too.
ailments like cough and colds, and some traditional Pradeep Dadha, Founder & CEO, netmeds.com,
medicine. There are also healthcare devices available
for sale online, including glucometers and blood Chennai said, “As a third-generation entrepreneur, I
pressure monitors. have the greatest admiration for Reliance, the biggest
global Indian brand and a multinational conglomerate,
However, Amazon’s entry into the e-Pharmacy which has the welfare of every Indian at the heart
space is mired with controversies. Amazon’s pilot in of its operations. It is indeed a proud moment for
India follows its recent efforts to penetrate the US Netmeds to join Reliance family and work together
market after it acquired an online pharmacy start- to make quality healthcare affordable and accessible
up called PillPack at a value of $753 million. The to every Indian. With the combined strength of the
success of this acquisition has been well-known and group’s digital, retail and tech platforms, we will strive
Amazon attract quite an appraise from investors to create more value for everyone in the ecosystem,
and economic experts. The company targeted the while providing a superior Omni Channel experience
geriatric community and chronically ill patients. By to consumers. In the coming years, we will cover many
this acquisition, PillPack made about $100 million more cities, serve many more customers, expand to
in profits and the CEO is now in charge of leading many more categories and work to fulfil the ‘Make in
Amazon’s pharmacy efforts. PillPack is now building India’ dream.”
physical pharmacies and is in talks with insurers
to make the online service available to many more Sharing the company’s views Amazon’s
consumers. Amazon is already promoting the PillPack spokesperson said, “As a part of our commitment to
service to a targeted group of prime subscribers. This fulfilling the needs of customers, we are launching
would mean delivering medicines at a faster rate. Amazon Pharmacy in Bangalore allowing customers
to order prescription-based medication in addition
This clearly indicates the intention of market to over-the-counter medicines, basic health devices
dominance. The tech giant’s move, therefore, caused and Ayurvedic medication from certified sellers. This
more angst and resentment amongst traditional is particularly relevant in present times as it will help
pharmacies in India. It once again highlights the tug- customers meet their essential needs while staying
of-war between online and offline pharmacies and safe at home.”
this time with the fear of increased capitalism and a
strong existential crisis. From the customer’s point of view, it could
create strong loyalty as they would find more value
While the battle between the offline and online in Amazon’s services. Says Vivek Tiwari, CEO &
pharmacies continue, Reliance Retail Ventures Founder, Medikabazaar, Mumbai, “Amazon’s entry
recently announced the acquisition of Netmeds, a would ensure a significant increase in online traffic
leading e-Pharmacy platform. With this new addition, to purchase medicines. This larger pool of potential
Reliance is all set to shake up India’s pharmacy customers would get more accustomed to ordering

24 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE E-PHARMACY DRAFT GUIDELINES

Regulatory Authority exhibiting, or offering for sale of drugs through the
● e-Pharmacies are currently governed by state e-Pharmacy portal by any person.
drug regulators. The draft proposes that the DCGI
should be the sole agency granting approvals to ● Registration would remain valid for three
e-Pharmacies. years from the date of issue.
● The DCGI will be regulated under the
Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945 as well as the ● An e-Pharmacy registration holder will be
Information Technology Act 2000 under which required to make an application for renewal before
eCommerce companies are regulated. its expiry or three months before expiry in Form
● Companies operating e-Pharmacies are 18AA along with a fee of Rs 50,000 ($730) and the
required to take one license in any state. Any state requisite documents as specified in Form 18AA.
license will enable the pharmacies to sell drugs all
over the country. ● The registration will be deemed to have
● The portal would also have to abide by the expired if the application for its renewal is not
provisions of the Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940. made within six months after its expiry.
Failing to follow the guidelines could lead to
suspension and cancellation of the e-portal. ● The e-Pharmacy registration holder must
Registration of e-Pharmacy keep his place open for periodic inspection, every
● Any person who intends to conduct the two years, by an authorised team of the CLA.
business of e-Pharmacies will have to mandatorily
apply for registration to the Central Licensing ● The e-Pharmacy registration holder needs
Authority (CLA) by filling up Form 18AA along with to inform the CLA in writing upon any change in
paying a fee of Rs 50,000 ($730) and furnishing the the constitution of the firm operating under the
requisite documents through the online portal of registration.
the Central
● Government. Registration is mandatory for Verification
the purposes of selling, distributing, stocking, ● The registered pharmacist must verify
the details of the patient, registered medical
practitioner, and arrange for the dispensing of
drugs as per the instructions of the registered
medical practitioner. The details of the drugs
dispensed along with the patient details are to be
maintained on the e-Pharmacy portal.

Source: Frost & Sullivan

online allowing each e-Pharmacy player to offer Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezo, the Prime Minister of
more and more attractive propositions to retain and India, Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani and all members
acquire customers. This would definitely help grow of the Health Ministry expressing their concerns
the entire e-Pharmacy industry size and companies related to e-Pharmacies. The letter to the PM clearly
with strong fundamentals would have accelerated mentions Amazon as a ‘Modern East India Company’
growth in coming times. Also, the user-friendly and says that India will soon become a victim of
platform of Amazon has already created loyalty and imperialistic capitalism if this problem is not nipped
comfort to the customer for non-drug purchases. The in the bud.
transition to buying drugs would be seamless given
the familiarity of the Amazon portal. Furthermore, Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary, AIOCD, Indore,
express assured delivery and customer loyalty said, “The e-Pharmacy space has been marred
programmes like prime would go a long way into with extreme controversies on the legality of their
ensuring customer retention.” operations and the drugs supplied in this process.
It is a matter of the bread and butter of 8,50,000
Now, the biggest threat has been to the chemists and moreover, it is also the matter of
middlemen community and to stand alone chemists. patient safety and the fear of increased drug abuse.”
How will they learn to survive this storm? And how He points out that some e-pharmacies in the state of
do patient activists and consumer protection experts Punjab has given rise to nexus of spurious medicines,
perceive this market dynamics? which has lately come to light. Such threats could
grip the country if caution was not maintained.
The resentment Amazon
and Reliance generated… Bejon Misra, Founder, Partnership for Safe
Medicines and Founder, Consumer Online
The All Indian Origin Chemists & Distributors Foundation and International Consumer Policy
(AIOCD) in response to this move wrote letters to Expert, Delhi, expressing his fret said, “The entry

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 25

of Amazon into e-Pharmacy business is a matter of “It has been observed by the Competition
deep concern to the citizens. Medicines cannot be Commission of India (CCI) that Brick & Mortar
converted into commodities and sold without proper Pharmacy Stores can comfortably co-exist
regulations in place. Amazon always projected itself with Regulated e-Pharmacies to spur price
as a platform to encourage manufacturers to reach competition and make healthcare more
potential consumers with products and services. affordable”.
Only on July 23, 2020, the rules for eCommerce - BEJON MISRA,
got notified under the new Consumer Protection Founder, Partnership for Safe Medicines and
Act 2019. In our country, the sale of medicines is Founder, Consumer Online Foundation and
governed under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940, International Consumer Policy Expert, Delhi
which has been amended from time to time. We
spent more than a year framing the Draft Rules
within Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
(CDSCO) for e-Pharmacies in India, which was
missing in the law. E-Pharmacy Draft Rules for
regulating e-Pharma companies in India have
already been approved by Drug Technical Advisory
Board, the highest expert body for pharmaceutical
regulation in India but are still pending for
notification for two years. How can the government
allow e-commerce companies to launch medicine
dispensation without any proper protocol to assure
quality, safety and efficacy. We cannot compromise

26 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

SOME OF THE LEADING NAMES IN THE INDIAN E-PHARMACY MARKET

● 1mg ● Medidart.com ● MyraMed ● EasyMedico
● netmeds.com ● Medplusmart ● PharmEasy ● Dawaiweb
● Buydrug.in ● Ayush Arogyam ● mChemist
● Care On Go ● MedsonWay ● swasthyashopee.com
● Healthkart ● Metapharmacy.in ● EMEDIX

Source: researchandmarkets.com

There was approximately 2.5x growth (about to frame rules in the interest of the consumers
8.8 million) in the number of households using and the ethical industry practitioners similar to
e-Pharmacy services in the COVID-19 lockdown the recent Consumer Protection Act 2019, which
period. There was a higher representation from has for the first time given direction in the interest
the non-metro cities, compared to pre-COVID-19 of the consumers. Let us wait for the Draft Rules
households. Moreover, approximately 70%+ on e-Pharmacies to get notified before we allow
consumers cited satisfaction with the initiatives a plethora of eCommerce companies peddling
undertaken by e-Pharmacy platforms during medicine from unknown sources. We must have
the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that the a proper registry of all manufacturers located in
e-Pharmacy penetration level is likely to reach various states with full information on the licensed
~1.4x of its pre-COVID-19 household estimates products and a robust tracing and tracking system,
by FY 25. e-Pharmacy in India will be able to tap which cannot be cloned to assure consumers
approximately 70 million households by FY 25, on the products accessed by them as per Indian
according to a white paper from FICCI. Pharmacopoeia and Standards. The states have
to wake up and consumers need to be alert along
the health and safety of the consumers. We must with the Patient Friendly Medical Physicians and
immediately stop such irresponsible Pharmacy Professional Pharmacists.”
Practices and notify the long-pending Draft
E-Pharmacy Rules before citizens are made victims On the other hand, The Internet and Mobile
of compromised Pharmacy Practices adopted by Association of India (IAMAI) informed that a delay
eCommerce companies like Amazon.” in notification of the draft, e-Pharmacy rules gives
an opportunity to vested groups of distributors and
Having said that, Misra also acknowledges the retailers to spread misinformation in a manner that
coexistence of e-Pharmacies and goes on, “It has mutes competition and contributes to high drug
been observed by the Competition Commission prices in India. This has also been highlighted by
of India (CCI) that Brick & Mortar Pharmacy Competition Commission of India (CCI) in their
Stores can comfortably co-exist with Regulated report October 2018, “Making markets work for
e-Pharmacies to spur price competition and affordable healthcare” which stated that these trade
make healthcare more affordable. We must associations control the entire drug distribution
make sure we adopt the global best practices system in a manner that mutes competition that
driven by well-qualified pharmacists and all the contributes to high drug prices in India. Further
provisions of the draft rules must be adopted by one of the solutions proposed by the CCI was
all the pharmacies in the country without any encouraging more e-Pharmacies. According to
discrimination or compromise on the quality and IAMAI, it is important to enabling competition in the
safety. This can be made possible only if strictly pharmaceutical supply chain.
adopt the Good Pharmacy Practices (GPP) and
assure proper warehousing and Good Distribution “It may be noted that the e-Pharmacy model
Practices (GDP). The health and safety of the operates in full compliance and harmony with
citizens is paramount and should always prevail existing laws. A digital platform receives the
over commercial interest. We should never allow request for medicines from a patient along with
patients to be treated like guinea pigs. It is a serious the prescription and conveys it to a brick and
concern and we must stop such business models, mortar licensed pharmacy store that dispenses
which are primarily moving into healthcare only to the medicine, fully governed under the Drugs &
make a profit and not waiting for the government Cosmetics Act. e-Pharmacy Draft Rules Provides
Sector-Specific e-Commerce regulations with the
aim to harmonise existing laws/guidelines like
the IT Act, D&C Act and Rules, and other relevant

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 27

“E-commerce is a sector that one cannot neglect & the “The emergence of e-Pharmacies
only route to success is adapting the changing patterns would push a greater emphasis on price
and developing your business plans based on changing transparency including the amount of
consumers behaviour & rising technological advancements” discounting from the MRP”.
- SHABNUM KHAN, - VIVEK TIWARI,
Founder, 750AD Healthcare, Delhi CEO & Founder, Medikabazaar, Mumbai

regulations. These draft rules came after over 25 related initiatives and selling tools /gimmicks
multi-stakeholder consultations over a period of employed by the online pharmacy players in favour
four years and have also been approved by Drug of the patients/ consumers, improved accessibility of
Technical Advisory Board, the highest expert body a wide range of medicines, economical pricing and
for Pharmaceutical regulation in India. The delays increased consumption of over the counter (OTC)
hereon are purely unjustified, and unfortunate, drugs. But flip-side could be an increase in errors/
and seem to go in the opposite direction from the lacunas in the dispensing areas and increased supply
articulated vision of the Prime Minister for a Digital of spurious drugs.
India where innovation thrives”, say an IAMAI
statement. Adding to this, Kedar V Chikhalikar, Associate
Head Technical Services, LifeSciences, South Asia,
Good playing ground for all? Middle East, Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Mumbai,
said, “This is a double-edged sword. Initially, it
This entire e-Pharmacy saga in India has garnered looks all hunky-dory but if they become big or
attention from industry observers, analyst and monopolistic, they will squeeze both manufacturers
consumers too. Industry experts believe that Amazon and consumers. The market must be balanced
and Reliance’s entry will create more opportunities between big and small players for a win-win
for a better business environment as well as situation”.
strengthen the pharmacy system in India.
Raghu Kochar, PR and Communications
According to Shabnum Khan, Founder, 750AD Consultant. Formerly Executive Vice President
Healthcare, Delhi, “As per a New EY report, the Corporate Communications, Fortis Healthcare,
market size of the e-Pharmacy in the coming four Delhi is of the opinion that aggregation can lead
years is about $360 million. While the offline to better buying power by the e-distribution
pharmacies may consider online pharmacies a threat companies. “If these companies want, they can pass
to their business but an amalgamation of the two can a substantial amount to the patient by bringing
lead to unimaginable growth prospects for both.” down the retail price. The question is will they? Also
scale leads to better warehousing, logistics, and
“JioMart, Flipkart and Amazon together can bring efficient distribution of thousands of stock-keeping
down the drug prices by 30 per cent, unless they to unit (SKU)’s, which are required because of the
succumb to greed”, says Vivek Hattangadi, Chief diverse needs for medication lower holding costs
Mentor, The Enabler. because of the efficiency unleashed. Traditional
pharmacies will have to reinvent themselves and
Dr Suniel Despande, Chairperson, Centre of get into more value-added stuff where personal
Excellence in HealthCare; Associate Professor- interaction and interventions are required. They
Strategic Management & Marketing; Strategy & may even pivot into small clinics, diagnostic centres,
Marketing advisor to corporates; SIES College of collection centres, dialysis centres, or even offer
Management Studies, Navi Mumbai & Founder & base medical nursing aid - eg: giving injections
Co-Mentor, Academy of Pharmaceutical Leadership etc. It will have to be a medicine plus delivery plus
(APL) sees both pros and cons. He feels that there consult model to command the premium price
would be higher levels of competition in the online
pharmacy space, we could see newer distribution-

28 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

that they will be forced to charge. Also, they will that for prescription products the signoff of a certified
always retain the advantage of immediacy due to pharmacist would be mandatory even if done
their proximity to the customer - better equipped to digitally.
answer immediate needs.”
The government needs to act swiftly…
Reshaping India’s pharmacy business
Well, the good news is that the entry of e-commerce
Having said that, a reshaping of the pharmacy giants into the e-Pharmacy space will certainly
business is inevitable. 750AD Healthcare informs bring in a radical reorganisation within the
that the company is soon to launch an e-commerce pharmacy sector but the real challenge is for the
platform for the chemists across the country. Where government. Will the government act fast in bringing
the offline pharmacies will have an online market in the required e-Pharmacy regulation? With the
for themselves. It will be a market aggregator for the government act swiftly on its goal for the National
chemists and pharmacies and will add on to their Digital Health Mission? It is necessary that they also
businesses. focus on the policies that protect patients. A recent
Interpol report on Cyber Crime in Asian countries
“Besides, consumer awareness is the most brought to light that the online sale of fake medical
important element to restrain any form of supplies, drugs and personal protective equipment,
fraudulent practices, and for that is the only and exploitation of teleconference tools are the major
way that this industry can flourish. While the COVID-19 cybercrime trends in Asia. Hence, a strong
government has several regulations, but at the licensing and governance policy for the online and
same time, the consumers also need to be careful offline sale of drugs is a must in India.
and self-aware. There needs to be consumer
awareness around the requirement of verifying But for e-Pharmacies and offline pharmacies
the genuineness of the service provider as well as businesses, the success mantra will be of having a
the merchandise and to steer clear of sites that sell systemic business value development plan.
drugs without a legal prescription. Well-defined
safety and quality benchmarks, unfussy privacy and “One cannot disagree or neglect the fact that
security policies, a confirmable physical address digitisation and technological innovation is the
and licensed pharmacist are the basic requirements backbone of a growing economy and the same is
of a good e-Pharmacy. Awareness of online applicable to the pharmacy business. Hence, it
acquirement of medicines by the patient is essential is important to acknowledge this fact as soon as
for improved patient management and avoidance possible and align the offline business with online
of the problem that may arise from self-medication. opportunities to stay in line and pace with the ever-
These measures along with sufficient monitoring changing business environment in the technological
by regulators are the basic guidelines for the world. Consumers no more want to step out to buy
e-Pharmacies to flourish and grow”, adds Shabnum goods and it is a world where doorstep service is
from 750AD Healthcare. given preference. The use of Artificial Intelligence
/Machine Learning has also changed the entire
On the same line, Tiwari lists down some of the consumer behaviour and now the customers can
changes that will strengthen pharmacy policy and experience real-life shopping experiences/medical
operations. consultations sitting back at home. To stay ahead
in the game, you need to understand the game
Prescription or OTC – There would still be and that can only be done once you are a part of it.
a very strong emphasis on prescription drugs vs E-commerce is a sector that one cannot neglect and
OTC and the sale of such products would be strictly the only route to success is adapting the changing
monitored patterns and developing your business plans based
on changing consumers behaviour and rising
Price Transparency – The emergence of technological advancements”, sums up Shabnum.
e-pharmacies would push a greater emphasis on price
transparency including the amount of discounting Indeed, Shabnum has a point. Understand
from the MRP consumer behaviour will become extremely crucial
for pharmacy businesses to device strategy that will
Product Availability – The availability of the work. Good forward, companies will have to tap into
products would have to be highlighted and shared the world of data sciences to build strategies beyond
with the customer especially in the cases of products selling drugs. It will be extremely vital to focus on
needed at short-notice like insulin’s, anti-allergens value creation for consumers in order to stay ahead of
the game.
Quality – Given the emergence of many
cheaper unbranded generics, a declaration of quality Raelene Kambli
including certifications would be paramount.

Pharmacist Verification – It is highly likely

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 29

INDIA BRACING FOR
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

This year, the 29th World Mental Health Day is Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences
all the more important for the globe as we find (NIMHANS) at the beginning of the pandemic
ourselves in the midst of a global mental distress suggested that the phase of COVID- 19 would see
crisis brought by COVID-19. The theme ‘Mental their increase due to low moods, social isolation,
Health for All: Greater Investment- Greater Access’ quarantine, fear, anticipation of infection, social
fits appropriately as the situation not only demands stigma and unstable finances.
enhanced access to mental health by breaking the
stigma but also strengthening investments in the Supporting predictions from NIMHANS, a recent
space as supporting pillars. survey by New Delhi based Indian Psychiatry Society
(IPS) has shown that there has been a rise of 20 per
World Mental Health Day is observed on cent in mental illness cases since the crisis has begun
October 10 every year, with the overall and at least one in five Indians are affected. It has
objective of raising awareness of mental further been reported that psychiatry divisions in
health issues around the world and mobilizing private hospitals have witnessed an increase in the
efforts in support of mental health. This year, the number counselling sessions. Family counselling
29th World Mental Health Day is all the more sessions have increased by 20-30 per cent and two
important for the globe as we find ourselves in the out of ten patients are reported to have suicidal
midst of a global mental distress crisis brought by tendencies. Further, cases of alcohol de-addiction
COVID-19. The theme ‘Mental Health for All: Greater have also increased by 35 per cent.
Investment- Greater Access’ fits appropriately as
the situation not only demands enhanced access to “The recovery time estimated by World Health
mental health by breaking the stigma but Organisation (WHO) is just the time an infected
also strengthening investments in the person takes to recover from the symptoms of
space as supporting pillars.
The current
Though the initial focus is situation not only
the management of physical demands enhanced
aspects of the disease, it has access to mental
been recognized that the health by breaking
physiological consequences the stigma but
of the disease need to be also strengthening
addressed especially when they investments in
overlap in patients with existing the space as
mental health issues, who may supporting pillars.
experience severe symptoms. The
second group of patients comprises
people, who have never suffered from
a mental disorder but are developing
symptoms due to the stressful
situation. Further, front-line personnel
bearing the responsibilities of dealing
with the disease have their own anxieties.

A non- COVID phase statistics according to
a study by Lancet shows that one in seven Indians
are affected by a mental disorder of varying severity.
While depressive disorders, anxiety disorders
and substance use disorder are most common in
prevalence, studies by Bengaluru based National

30 WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“The post-recovery period “Indians are grappling with
for COVID-19 patients is very multiple forms of mental

crucial wherein apart from health issues that have risen
physical care, the mental exponentially post coronavirus
outbreak. We have witnessed
health of the patients with over 110 per cent rise in online
the help of psychological
counselling is essentially patient consults around
required.” mental health conditions on
- Vivek Srivastava,
Co-Founder & CEO, our platform.”
HealthCare atHome (HCAH), New Delhi - Saurabh Arora,

Founder & CEO, Lybrate, New Delhi

COVID-19 in the hospital. However, the actual various guidelines for professionals, which could help
recovery may take a much longer time. The post- them not only manage patients to cope up with the
recovery period for COVID-19 patients is very effects of quarantine but also support adults, children
crucial wherein apart from physical care, the mental and pregnant ladies to deal with stress. AIIMS is also
health of the patients with the help of psychological providing online training programmes for alcohol
counselling is essentially required”, shares Vivek use or withdrawal management and tele-psychiatry
Srivastava, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, guidelines to aid delivering mental health care
HealthCare atHome (HCAH), New Delhi. services from a distance.

Providing the much required support, the On the other hand, NIMHANS is the first institute
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has in India to start tele psychiatry through a helpline for
recently launched a helpline for early screening, first- psychological support by launching a 24 x7 toll-free
aid, psychological support, distress management, number. The institute has also released brochures,
mental wellbeing, preventing deviant behaviors, guidelines suggesting the risk group and prevention
psychological crisis management etc. It is being from contradicting COVID-19.
coordinated by the National Institute for the
Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities NIMHANS has also launched a web portal called
(NIEPMD, Chennai) and National Institute of e-Manas in a joint initiative with the International
Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR, Sehore), Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in
Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP), Bengaluru to support health workers involved in
Indian Psychiatrists Association (IPA) and Indian providing psychological help during COVID-19. This
Psychiatric Social Workers Association (IPSWA). portal is designed to be a
common platform to bring
Digital assistance together Karnataka state
mental health authority,
Due to the anticipation and occurrence of distress Karnataka state mental
during the pandemic, digital health tools are being health review board,
employed to assist in managing mental health. public and private mental
Special programmes are being created for frontline health establishments,
workers and general public to intercept mental professionals and patients.
distress.
“We have observed
One such initiative has been launched by the that the problems faced
government in the form of a training module by people are more
for COVID-19 management, named Integrated non-medical in nature
Government Online training (iGOT) portal on and includes social and
Diksha platform by the Ministry of Human Resource economic problems, which
Development. Courses for managing mental stress have made mental health
and depression including yoga and meditation are a an important factor in our
part of this module. fight against COVID-19.
We anticipated it early
By launching a dedicated portal for COVID-19 on and were asked to
education and including a dedicated section on prepare a helpline for
psychiatry, the All India Institutes of Medical psycho-social issues. This
Sciences (AIIMS) supports the fact of mental health helpline has received
repercussions of the pandemic. AIIMS has provided

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 31

RECENT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH

● COVID-19 portal- Karnataka: Guidelines ● District Mental Health Programme- Kerala:

for healthcare professional, children and senior Counselling and psychosocial support for people

citizens in isolation and quarantine
● Haraadesh portal- Haryana: Guidelines ● BMC-Mpower 1on1- Maharashtra:

for healthcare professional, children and senior Counselling and support by professionals from

citizens Mpower
● Psychosocial Care Advisory- National ● Tele counselling sessions- Chandigarh:

Disaster Management Authority: Guidelines for Counselling sessions for public
● Mental health helpline-Andhra Pradesh:
Disaster Management Authorities and Employers
● COVID-19 clinical management manual- Professional mental health support
● Manual for Parents and Caregivers- Ministry
Punjab: Protocols for psychiatrists, psychologists,
of Woman and Child Development & UNICEF-
and social workers
● Tele Counseling Services- Institute of India: Activities and play methods to keep

Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences and State children engaged
● Manodarpan- Ministry of Human Resource
Mental Health Authority, Delhi: Tele-counseling for
Development: National toll free helpline for
doctors, healthcare workers and frontline workers
students manned by mental health professionals
by Delhi Psychiatric Society, Delhi Medical
and Website with interactive online chat platform
Council, Delhi Medical Association
● Community mental healthcare tele- and advisories; national database of counsellors,

mentoring programme- Chhattisgarh: Virtually links to webinars
● Revive Department of Happiness initiative or
training counselors and medical officers in
Anand Department- Madhya Pradesh: Hospitals
association with NIMHANS
● Mental health helpline- Telangana: Training and quarantine centers provided with light

professionals at the Indian Institute of Health and entertainment, music and films
● District Mental Health Programme- Odisha:
Family Welfare to counsel patients
● Direct Intervention System For Health Professional visits to quarantine centres and

Awareness or DISHA helpline- Kerala: Deploying counselling migrants
● Covidav- Goa: Free online psychological
tele-health helpline launched in 2013 under
evaluation and treatment to citizens
Arogyakeralam

lakhs of calls from all over India. Our government
has been fairly responsive and timely action by the
health department responding to COVID-19 and
psycho-social distress helped a lot. In future, lifestyle
measures will become important to overcome the
pandemic,” says Dr B.N. Gangadhar, Director,
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro
Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru.

In times as unprecedented as these, startups have
yet again come out to play a big role in helping India
deal with the COVID-19 crisis. Founders of Indian
startups, members of investment advisory firms and
independent advisors have joined hands to form the
Action Covid-19 Team (ACT) wherein a grant of Rs
100 crore has been launched to support innovators
working on solutions to control the COVID-19
pandemic.

The fund has given due importance to the need
in mental health by providing cumulative grants
amounting to Rs 95 lakh to three initiatives in India-
Dost Education, ePsyclinic and COVID Response run
by Mind Piper. New Delhi based Dost Education has

32 WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“We have observed that the “Telepsychiatry increases the
problems faced by people capacity as well as reach of
are more non-medical in mental health professionals
to give proper diagnosis
nature and includes social and and treatment utilizing
economic problems which telecommunication tools,
have made mental health such as video calling etc.
an important factor in our Telepsychiatry empowers
fight against COVID-19. We mental wellbeing experts to

anticipated it early on and were give primary care, consultation,
asked to prepare a helpline for and expertise.”
- Vidit Bahri,
psycho-social issues.”
- Dr B.N. Gangadhar, Managing Director, Sukoon Health Hospital, Fortis
Healthcare, New Delhi
Director, National Institute of Mental Health and
Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru

received Rs 20 lakh to focus on child development forward to provide free of cost guidance to the needy.
and wellness, and provide one-minute long mental The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India
health podcasts over phone calls 4 times a week to has requested all universities and colleges to take
blue collar families. measures to ensure healthy mental and psychosocial
aspects of the students by setting up helplines being
Gurugram based ePsyclinic has received a grant of regularly monitored and managed by counsellors and
Rs 15 lakh for providing free therapy and counselling regular mentoring of students through interactions,
on call and chat while COVID Response, run by New and appeals and letters through telephones, e-mails,
Delhi based Mind Piper, has secured a grant of Rs digital and social media platforms.
60 lakh The startup is running a telephonic helpline
service in partnership with Delhi Commission for “Virtual healthcare has been around for some
Protection of Child’s Rights (DCPCR) and technical time now. It has been utilized in almost every
support from Indus Action to provide immediate capacity of the healthcare sector. However, with the
psycho-social support to people in distress due to the increasing concern towards mental illness in India,
current scenario. it is now important that the same is also extended
to providing telehealth services for psychological
Adding on, a national COVID-19 telemed helpline disorders. Telepsychiatry is an innovative use of
has been launched by a non-profit volunteer driven telemedicine for the field of psychiatry, ready to
collective of 7000 doctors called project StepOne have a noteworthy impact on the care delivery. It
across India. The helpline provides telemed services offers a range of services including psychological
under COVID-19 related mental help and video assessments, treatments for individual, family, or
consultation for non COVID-19 related cases. The even group, medication and patient engagement.
initiative is backed by a grant of Rs 25 lakh each It increases the capacity as well as reach of mental
by ACT and US based Omidyar Network. It is health professionals to give proper diagnosis and
currently supporting 15 state governments and city treatment utilizing telecommunication tools, such as
administrators in 33 languages. video calling etc. Telepsychiatry empowers mental
wellbeing experts to give primary care, consultation,
“Indians are grappling with multiple forms of and expertise”, points out Vidit Bahri, Managing
mental health issues that have risen exponentially Director, Sukoon Health Hospital, Fortis Healthcare,
post coronavirus outbreak. We have witnessed over New Delhi.
110 per cent rise in online patient consults around
mental health conditions on our platform. We have The current initiatives collectively by the
also witnessed over 150 per cent jump in online government and private setups do relate to the
consultations sought by females for issues related global World Mental Health Day theme. There are
to mental health, while the percentage for the same continuous efforts towards expanding the reach of
grew 85 per cent in males reaching out to doctors mental care across demographics and grants in the
online”, shares Saurabh Arora, Founder & Chief field act as a stimulus for the developments. The most
Executive Officer, Lybrate, New Delhi important step has been to acknowledge the shift in
mental health of the public at the correct time and
Currently many health tech startups are exploring brace up for a potential future crisis.
the telemedicine space to help out people manage
their mental health conditions. Webinars are also Swati Shrivastava
being organized and psychologists are coming

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com Q&A 33

“The biotechnology industry in
India is entering a new era of growth”

« sector. Conclusively, with collaborations occurring
between life science companies, local governments
Sanjay Singh, and the academia, the sector will surely reach its
Partner – Deal Advisory, true potential.
Head of Lifesciences,
KPMG, Mumbai How do you think that the coronavirus
pandemic has enabled India to become
The COVID-19 pandemic has unlocked several the key market in the global life sciences
opportunities for the life sciences sector in sector?
India. And in response to this, the sector
has taken the right plunge. KPMG’s new report on While the pandemic has brought India’s life
‘Site selection for life sciences in Asia’ reveals the sciences sector into the limelight, it had already
true potential has India possess. In an interview, been a prominent sector prior to this time. Due to
Sanjay Singh, Partner – Deal Advisory, Head of various factors, India has ranked 63rd in World
Lifesciences, KPMG, Mumbai, expounds on the key Bank’s ease of doing business report 2020 from
findings of this study and shares insights on key 142nd in 2014. One of the strengths of India’s life
market drivers. Edited excerpts; sciences sector is its manufacturing capabilities.
Our country supplies 50 per cent of global demand
KPMG has recently released a report on for various vaccines. India being a cost-efficient
“Site Selection for Life Sciences Companies location in terms of manufacturing has proven to
in Asia”. Can you tell us the key findings? be one of the greatest assets for this sector.

Asia is one of the fastest-growing markets for the During the pandemic, India demonstrated
life sciences industry. A huge chunk of demand its capabilities in the manufacture and supply of
is met by Asian countries alone. Along with this, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for domestic as well as
there has been significant improvement with the regulated markets of the US and the European
respect to domestic industries. This report covers Union. Many Indian companies have participated
key elements of businesses in these countries and in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and
discusses the value chain as well. others have licensed the drug and vaccine for
distribution.
When it comes to India, we discover that the
country has a key advantage such as manufacturing In March of this year, the government had
capabilities and cost-efficiency. Recently, there announced a fund of $1.3 billion to encourage
has been several incubators and bio parks manufacturing of pharmaceutical ingredients.
launched and with new initiatives launched by the This brings a new dimension as India has been
government will increase self-reliance and push
growth in this sector. Along with several growth
drivers like patent cliff, rise in awareness, we
could expect a few challenges to be dealt with on
regulatory and quality standards. However, given
the government’s focus on improving product
quality and liberalised Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) initiatives, the rise of pharma insurance
schemes along with incentivisation for R&D will
lead to further motivation to make progress in this

34 Q&A BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

dependent on exports and most of the country’s are emerging as innovators – example: Recent
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), have been innovation by a leading Indian pharma company
imported from other countries. Further, there is an of oral insulin tablets that relieved diabetics
increased focus on enhancing product liability and worldwide from insulin injections.
reducing quality lapses by India’s Central Drugs
Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The What role is the biotechnology sector
‘Made in India’ initiative focuses on self-reliance playing in the propelling the growth of the
of medical device imports. All these initiatives life sciences sector?
coupled with regular collaborations between the
government and the life sciences industry could Biotechnology is one of the fastest-growing
lead to significant growth and progress in the long segments in life sciences and is the topic of much
run. attention. The biotechnology industry in India is
entering a new era of growth, with India emerging
Do you see a convergence of R&D, startups as one of the Top-12 destinations in the world and
and industry in the life sciences sector? accounts for 2 per cent of the global market share.
Further, today there are 800+ biotech companies
India has made visible progress in terms of along with second-highest number of US Food and
innovation, which shows the motivation present to Drug Administration (FDA) plants.
build a strong research pipeline. We expect shorter
clinical trial approvals and new rules introduced The ‘Make in India” initiative launched by the
last year could help increase transparency and government has biotechnology as one of its main
should promote R&D. The government’s initiatives industries targeted for growth. This initiative
on drug price control (example: National List of will focus on investments for new biotechnology
Essential Medicines (NLEM), however, make it less products, creating an infrastructure for the
attractive to invest in R&D for developing drugs for R&D sector and much more. This initiative will
chronic & rare diseases. also promote innovation as well as provide an
abundance of research opportunities. One of the
In terms of startups, states across India have key aspects is that we will be self-reliant in the
given incentives to startups. As a result, many supply of vaccines and antibiotics along with
states have incubators and several entrepreneurs encouraging international alliances. In addition,
are aiming to contribute to this sector. States the development of a National Biotechnology
like Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Development Strategy 2015-2020, creation of a
Telangana have played a major role for startups. robust Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy and
With innovations coming from startups and R&D liberalised FDI norms are a few initiatives taken by
along with the potential of the industry, there will the government to promote biotechnology. Overall,
surely be a convergence. such initiatives will boost our country’s scientific
and technological impact.
India’s growing demography and intellectual
capital make it a potential powerhouse of R&D in What role will technologies such as AI,
pharma. Some of the leading domestic companies nanotechnology, robotics & genetics play in
raising the game for India?

Technologies such as artificial intelligence,
nanotechnology, machine learning have been
implemented for areas like mapping cellular
pathways, medical equipment. There have been
a lot of developments in the telehealth section
as well. The collaboration between industry and
academia will play a part in implementing such
technologies too.

Many global companies have already started
application of these technologies to drive better
results across R&D, Sales & marketing, supply
chain management, manufacturing operations.
Such advancements will prove to be an advantage
to the citizens of our country as well as bring
further value to the life sciences sector.

Raelene Kambli

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com Q&A 35

“We are in talks with Karnataka to
deploy Vevra pods across the state”

« Medical Education Minister, Karnataka government
has shown interest in deploying these pods across
Mahesh Krishnahari, Karnataka starting from Bengaluru. Besides, we have
Director & Founder, currently received 10 orders separately.
Vevra Group,
Bengaluru How much time was spent on developing
this product? What role has InnoWave Group
To fight the ongoing pandemic and other played in this project?
contagious and airborne diseases, Bengaluru
based company Vevra has allied with a Since this was our first prototype, we have done
Portugal based healthcare IoT company InnoWave a lot of trial and errors and spent quite a lot of
Group to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) driven time in building this avant-garde product. Then
mobile hospital units called Vevra Pods. Primarily we took about 2-3 days to get the architectural
born as an answer for major medical crises of any design concept, and another couple of weeks to get
form, these pods consist of a set of movable capsules the engineering services aligned with electrical,
that aim to efficiently assist in the infrastructure of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning design. The
hospitals across India. Mahesh Krishnahari, Director complete R&D was done by Vevra. But the challenge
& Founder, Vevra Group, Bengaluru spoke to was to get our vision into reality. We spent a lot of
BioSpectrum in detail about this innovative solution. days and nights on the site to ensure it is a foolproof
Edited excerpts; concept. InnoWave was providing similar technology
in the USA and the European region. When we
How are you ensuring the availability of the approached them, they connected on our vision and
Vevra pods throughout India? they were very excited to be part of this project.

Vevra pods will be made available throughout What is the cost of each pod?
India. However, we will build this as per demand
requirements. Our pods are smart AI-driven Vevra pods come with plug and play options, includes
mobile hospital units. These pods can be annexed all the facilities that are there in any multi-specialty
to existing hospitals or different units such as the hospitals with an advanced AI integrated system,
general ward unit, imaging unit, medical staff unit, ventilators, patient monitoring, OT Facilities,
etc. and can be interlinked to make it a complete etc. Each pod can be customized as per hospital
hospital setup. These can easily be scaled up as per requirements. There are many variants of the Vevra
requirement and can also be dismantled and moved pods. The cost of each pod starts from Rs 25 lakh to
to a different location. These pods can be installed in Rs 2 crore.
any remote location and also act as a disaster relief.
The advantages of these pods are that no foundation Are the pods developed only to tackle the
is required, less time to build, easy to manufacture, ongoing pandemic or these will be used
easy to maintain, and economical compared to in the future as well, for other healthcare
conventional hospital setup. We would like to provide conditions?
our services to tier 2, 3 cities, villages where you don’t
have access to decent medical facilities. With the help We are a design and build firm and we have provided
of the government, NGOs, investors, CSR funding, our services to the healthcare sector. In the current
we can reach out to all the rural communities and healthcare sector what is lacking is an appropriate
less-resourced hospitals. We are currently in talks infrastructure to treat an airborne disease like
with the Karnataka government. Dr K. Sudhakar, COVID-19. These modular fully furnished pods can
be annexed to the existing hospitals to avoid cross-
contamination and can be installed in any remote
location with plug and play option to give better care
to people and safeguard the healthcare professionals.
These pods can be used post-pandemic for 20-25
years.

Dr Manbeena Chawla
[email protected]

36 Q&A BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“We have the capacity to
produce over 10M COVID-19
tests per week globally”

« through this pandemic. We have been actively
involved in understanding the structure of the
Amit Chopra, virus, developing new diagnostic tests, providing
Managing Director, personal protective equipment, reagents, and other
India and Middle laboratory essential instruments, to providing
East, Thermo Fisher tools for vaccine research and development,
Scientific, Mumbai clinical trials and even manufacturing some of the
therapeutics. TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kits were
Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader one of the first tests to receive Emergency Use
in serving science, is continuously working Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug
to expand global capacity and capabilities Administration (FDA) and are being extensively
across its leading pharma services network to used across the world.
support customers in government, industry and
academia as they accelerate development and Thermo Fisher now distributes its diagnostic
production of COVID-19 vaccines, therapies and test to more than 50 countries, including India,
other treatments. The company is now supporting and has the capacity to produce more than 10
over 200 projects globally. The company is also million COVID-19 tests per week globally to meet
supporting multiple vaccine programmes globally the rising demand. In the context of a serological
that are in or entering human clinical trials, test, our collaboration with Mayo Clinic and
providing critical capacity and expertise that has WuXi Diagnostics will significantly complement
accelerated development and readiness by months. our PCR-based diagnostic test and will be a vital
In addition to its work on COVID-19-related tool in containing the spread of the virus. We
vaccines and therapies, the company continues are still developing the antibody test, and we
to ensure that patients undergoing clinical trials will pursue Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
continue to receive the critical medicines they need from the FDA, as well as authorization from
during this crisis. Amit Chopra, Managing Director, regulatory bodies in other parts of the world. Once
India and Middle East, Thermo Fisher Scientific, approved for use, the Thermo Scientific OmniPath
Mumbai recently spoke to BioSpectrum about COVID-19 Total Antibody ELISA test will detect
the company’s initiatives to counter COVID-19, Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin
particularly in India. Edited excerpts; G (IgG) to help clinicians determine if a patient
has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. The test is
How is Thermo Fisher Scientific expanding designed to run on an open instrument platform,
its diagnostic capacity to fight the global and the determination of antibody status will aid
pandemic? in the diagnosis of the disease during the acute and
recovery stages of infection.
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, our mission is to
enable our customers to make the world healthier, Overall, we have been working closely with our
cleaner, and safer. Globally, we saw a significant customers, researchers, and government bodies
increase in the spread of the virus and our to help set up high throughput labs. Our service
customers were getting inundated. As reliable and support teams are working around the clock
partners, our primary objective was to scale
our offerings to enable them to better navigate Thermo Fisher is now supporting
more than 200 projects to accelerate
development and production of
COVID-19 vaccines, therapies, and
other treatments globally.

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com Q&A 37

to ensure the users are trained on our workflow We are still developing the antibody
solutions and build capabilities to be able to rapidly test, and we will pursue Emergency
respond to the pandemic. Use Authorization (EUA) from the
FDA, as well as authorization from
What are the company’s contributions to the regulatory bodies in other parts of
COVID-19 vaccine space so far? the world. Once approved for use,
the Thermo Scientific OmniPath
Thermo Fisher is now supporting more than 200 COVID-19 Total Antibody ELISA test
projects to accelerate development and production will detect Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
of COVID-19 vaccines, therapies, and other and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) to help
treatments globally. For instance, our single use clinicians determine if a patient
technologies (SUTs) that include the bioreactors, has been exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
the single-use bags, cell- culture media, cell-lines, The test is designed to run on an
and chromatographic purification media that open instrument platform, and the
enable timely vaccine design, development, testing, determination of antibody status will
and production. In addition, our instruments aid in the diagnosis of the disease
are also used for critical in-depth analytical during the acute and recovery stages
characterization, quality assurance (QA), and of infection.
quality control (QC). Overall, our bioprocessing and
virology portfolios offer proven solutions that help for product supply. Secondly, how can we help
in tackling challenges of rapid vaccine production, to enable the come back to the new normal? For
quality improvement and increasing operational this we are taking a multi-pronged approach by
productivity. We also provide end-to-end solutions offering solutions to establish infrastructure for
that include data management and clinical trials surveillance. The second point is readiness to scale.
support. Thus, most, if not all, vaccine development This is possible with the flexibility of regulatory
needs can be met through the array of products and processes to quickly approve tests for ramp-up.
solutions we offer. And finally leveraging public-private partnerships
to build infrastructure and capacity to develop
What will be the long-term impact of the new vaccines and identify novel therapeutic
pandemic on the pharma supply chain? interventions that can enable the country to
What steps is Thermo Fisher taking in this respond quickly to this pandemic.
regard?
How is Thermo Fisher responding to the
COVID-19 has spurred several supply chain current disruption of clinical trials across the
improvements and a relentless focus to improve globe?
capabilities to serve customers. At Thermo Fisher
we have fast-tracked our manufacturing capacities Thermo Fisher has been strategically investing in
to ensure continuous availability of products with capacity and capabilities to increase manufacturing
consistent quality. We are leveraging our large and supply chain flexibility to deliver critical
distribution infrastructure and network to enable medicines to patients for treating cancer, genetic
faster deliveries to support our customers with diseases, and other serious health conditions
products and services they rely on to address apart from COVID-19. In addition to its work
this public health crisis. At present, we are not on COVID-19-related vaccines and therapies,
experiencing any significant supply issues for most the company continues to ensure that patients
of our products, however, we continue to closely undergoing clinical trials continue to receive
monitor any potential supply-chain hurdles and the critical medicines they need. A “site to
identify measure to mitigate delays. patient” programme, launched at the start of the
pandemic, has ensured clinical trial patients have
What are the major plans in store for the uninterrupted access to life-saving investigational
company for the post-COVID era? drug shipments without having to visit a clinic, one
of many efforts to maintain supply chain continuity
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on during the pandemic.
the tremendous value we provide as a company
and the significant contributions we make to Dr Manbeena Chawla
society. We would look at post COVID operations [email protected]
from two perspectives. Foremost, operating the
company and ensuring the safety of our colleagues
while we continue to meet customer expectations

38 PHARMA MANUFACTURING BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Securing India’s pharma
industry from Cyber Risk

« manufacturing, it is essential to identify security gaps
that could impact the integrity of operations.
Dick Bussiere,
Technical Director Some of the gaps that can be leveraged by
for APAC, cybercriminals:
Tenable, Singapore
Security threats caused by convergence
Increasing production in pharma manufacturing of IT and OT: The concept of air-gaps is slowly
implies a higher convergence of IT and OT systems. eroding as a practical means of securing pharma
While convergence between IT and OT brings about manufacturing as many organizations meld their OT
efficiency, it also expands the attacks surface. The and IT systems. This convergence of OT and IT can
only way to make this work safely is to have a unified, open up new pathways for cyberattacks in the system,
risk-based view of the IT and OT environments. which did not exist before. Even the introduction of
a seemingly harmless variable such as a USB thumb
As the world’s largest exporter of generic drugs, drive or an open port can destroy the most stringently
India imports more than 70 per cent of the enforced air-gap within a facility. This is known as
necessary ingredients from other countries. “accidental convergence”.
This arrangement came to a standstill due to the supply
chain disruptions caused by the global pandemic. The Security threats from within the
turn of events drove India to ramp up production of organization: The concept of insider threats is
pharmaceutical ingredients at short notice to meet gaining ground as not all cyber threats are external.
global demand for drugs. Some threats can exist within the organization.
Stakeholders such as employees, contractors and
To improve productivity such that urgent demand integrators with access to complex manufacturing
can be met, many Indian pharma manufacturing processes can intentionally or unintentionally cause a
operators are increasingly connecting operating wide range of disruptions and considerable damage.
technology (OT) with IT systems to make production
as cost-efficient and adaptable as possible. While the For example, a disgruntled employee with access
convergence of OT and IT systems brings about many to the control systems can maliciously modify a drug
benefits, it also creates new avenues for cyberattacks formula. That same employee could also steal valuable
to occur in once-isolated OT environments. A recent intellectual property with the intention of selling it to
Forrester commissioned study revealed that 97 per
cent of Indian organizations suffered one or more
business-impacting cyberattacks and that 67 per cent
of those involved OT systems.

According to a report, India-based pharmaceutical
facilities are listed as among the world’s most
vulnerable and are very likely to suffer a cyberattack.
In the same report, nearly 45 per cent of the devices
within Indian pharmaceutical facilities were targeted
by cybercriminals in 2019 and this number is steadily
growing. Therefore, to prevent future attacks in pharma

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com PHARMA MANUFACTURING 39

the highest bidder. OT lies at the heart of manufacturing According to a report from a global
facilities and many specialized components control the cybersecurity company- Kaspersky, India-
processing of drugs. A simple error such as making based pharmaceutical facilities are listed as
changes to the wrong programmable logic controller among the world’s most vulnerable and are
(PLC), or improper maintenance of a distributed control very likely to suffer a cyberattack. In the same
systems (DCS), can cause a wide range of disruptions report, nearly 45 per cent of the devices within
and downtime, that can likely result in unacceptable Indian pharmaceutical facilities were targeted
and potentially lethal products. by cybercriminals in 2019 and this number
is steadily growing. Therefore, to prevent
Security loopholes in ICS networks: future attacks in pharma manufacturing, it is
Industrial control systems (ICS) are highly vulnerable essential to identify security gaps that could
as they lack security controls. Access to the network impact the integrity of operations.
usually means that access is possible to all of the
devices that are on that network. Unprotected environment, both IT devices and OT devices must be
convergence between IT and OT serves as a direct created and actively maintained.
conduit for attacks against delicate OT devices. Any
malicious actor with network access effectively “owns” ● Full inventory of communications patterns
the network once (s) he is on it. within the ICS environment for baselining what is
“normal” and identifying suspicious activities must
Additionally, the lack of device inventory, event be performed. Constant monitoring of traffic within
monitoring and alerting capabilities with deep the ICS network to help identify suspicious activities,
situational awareness makes it challenging to identify new devices, disappearing devices and indicators of
and track any alterations to systems. This lack of compromise must be performed.
visibility, security and control in ICS networks and the
devices on the network prevents the early detection ● Real-time alerts, tunable to the specifics of
of incidents. As a result, problems are often detected the environment, must be present to provide early
after disruptions have occurred and faulty goods are detection of suspicious and unauthorised access so
produced. engineering staff can quickly address the issue and
avert or minimise damage.
Good cybersecurity practices in pharma
manufacturing ● Logging of detailed information about each
incident, whether legitimate or malicious, allows
Regulatory bodies worldwide and experts suggest engineers to quickly pinpoint the cause of the incident
that cybersecurity should be considered across the and shorten mitigation times.
complete lifecycle of a drug. Here are a few guidelines
that pharma manufacturing organisations can ● Comprehensive audit trails help engineers to
implement to protect their intellectual property and ensure maintenance was performed on schedule while
reduce the risk of a damaging security breach: enabling security teams to identify unauthorised
changes and determine the root cause.
● Full inventory of all devices within the ICS
● Replacement of error-prone manual tracking with
efficient and accurate automated asset management
processes, which also helps reduce costs and resource
investments.

Increasing production in pharma manufacturing
implies a higher convergence of IT and OT systems.
While convergence between IT and OT brings about
efficiency, it also expands the attacks surface. The only
way to make this work safely is to have a unified, risk-
based view of the IT and OT environments. Bad actors
will always test the integrity of security systems;
hence the key is to empower pharma manufacturing
organizations to have a holistic view across IT and OT
such that they can detect and react to disturbances
or malicious activity. This can be done by leveraging
the right security tools built for OT to ensure
manufacturing integrity and the health of patients
that depend on them.

40 SPONSORED CONTENT BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com
ADVERTORIAL

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com SPONSORED CONTENT 41

42 PEOPLE NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Glenmark Pharma ACG appoints CEO
brings Dipankar for inspection biz
Bhattacharjee on Board
Mumbai based Inspection and Track
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals in Mumbai has supplier of fully & Trace Systems, he
announced the appointment of Dipankar integrated solutions will be responsible
Bhattacharjee as Independent Non-Executive to the global for introducing
Director on the Board of the organization for a pharmaceutical new technology,
period of five years with effect from August 14, industry, ACG has onboarding key talent,
2020. Bhattacharjee comes with over 30 years of promoted Susheel and extending ACG
global experience in leading generics, specialty and Pillai as the new Inspection’s footprint
Chief Executive across the globe.
OTC pharma, Officer (CEO) of ACG With a proven track
medical devices, Inspection. Pillai has record of managing
and FMCG been associated with international business,
businesses. He ACG for the last 16 Pillai has been closely
has led high years and has been involved in designing
performing part of the group’s and implementing
teams to different business transformational
develop units in various initiatives of the
and execute capacities. He was group, executing core
business previously the head business development
strategies across of India operations strategies, building
all stages of as well as global sales sales organizations
business cycles, head. In his new role, across the globe as
driving growth and value through commercial in addition to growing well as developing
innovation and focused R&D investments. In his the business of emerging leaders.
previous role, Bhattacharjee held various senior
leadership positions at Teva Pharmaceutical
Industries. With strong orientation towards
stakeholders including investors, customers and
consumers, and deep understanding of payers and
regulators, he has consistently delivered short-term
and long-term results across multiple geographies
and business environments. Before Teva, he
worked with leading global organizations such as
Bausch & Lomb, Bank of America and Nestle.

Cadila Pharma hires new global president HR

Thiru A Thirunavukkarasu, to JK Organisation, Thiru
ex-President, Corporate HR was associated with Vedanta
of JK Organisation (EZ) joins Resources Plc, as President –
Ahmedabad based Cadila Group HR and member of the
Pharmaceuticals Limited as executive committee, and earlier
Global President- Human to this he has worked with
Resources (HR). With over companies like TVS Electronics,
three decades of experience in Hindustan Unilever, Wimco and
HR, Thiru provides strategic Areva T&D. He holds a master
HR insights and unmatchable of social work (MSW) degree,
solutions to the CEOs of personnel management and
operating companies and organizational behaviour from
their leadership teams. Prior Loyola College, Chennai.

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com PEOPLE NEWS 43

Dr Ajay Nair joins Swasth as CEO Dinesh
Chauhan
Mumbai based telemedicine College and Harvard University. steps up as
platform Swasth has announced He is currently an advisor to CEO of CORE
that Dr Ajay Nair has joined Fortune 500 companies, digital Diagnostics
as the Chief Executive Officer health innovators, non-profits
(CEO), with effect from and governments, for designing Gurugram based
September 12, 2020. Dr Nair is innovative medical and health- CORE Diagnostics has
the first CEO of this indigenous tech offerings, as well as announced that Dinesh
mobile app-based service, which business models. In 2010, he Chauhan, the current
was launched in June as India’s co-founded and led MeraDoctor Chief Operating Officer
first big push towards mass to become one of India’s largest of the company, has
adoption of digital healthcare. telemedicine networks, serving stepped up as the Chief
He joins Swasth with more over 700,000 patients across Executive Officer (CEO)
than 14 years of experience in every state of the country. starting September 1,
the healthcare sector, holding 2020. He has also joined
significant experience in the board of directors of
telemedicine, public health, the company. Dinesh is a
health-tech entrepreneurship, founding member of the
med-tech, healthcare policy and company and joined CORE
social impact investing. Dr Nair in 2013. He has over 30
is an alumnus of Grant Medical years of experience in
the diagnostics industry.
Lupin Board announces Zoya Brar, the earlier
new appointments CEO and the founder of
the company has resigned
K.B.S. Anand Dr Punita Kumar-Sinha from the board and will
continue to support the
K.B.S. Anand and Dr Punita Kumar-Sinha have joined Mumbai based company as an advisor
pharma major Lupin’s Board as independent directors. With a career to the board and the
spanning over four decades at Asian Paints, Anand recently served CEO. Chauhan holds
as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Asian a Master’s degree in
Paints. He currently serves as an independent director on the Board Business Management
of Marico, Tata Chemicals and Borosil. On the other hand, Dr Punita and a Bachelor’s Degree in
brings significant governance and investment experience across India Microbiology from Delhi
and North America. In her three-decade career, she pioneered some University.
of the first foreign investments into the Indian equity markets in the
early 1990s. She founded Pacific Paradigm Advisors, an independent
investment advisory and management firm, and was formerly a Senior
Managing Director at Blackstone. She serves as an independent director
for several companies including Infosys, JSW Steel, Blackstone Embassy
REIT and Rallis. Furthermore, Dr Punita holds a PhD and a Master’s
in Finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She
received her B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute
of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D).

44 R&D NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

IGIB designs rapid detection test for COVID-19

Scientists at the Institute of of the viral peptides, a compound
Genomics and Integrative consisting of two or more amino
Biology (IGIB) in New Delhi have acids linked in a chain. The
developed a rapid and sensitive benefit of this method is that
method to detect coronavirus there is no need of the viral RNA
infection in 30 minutes using a to be intact after sample collection
mass spectrometer. The rapid test because amplification of the
method can detect two peptides, genetic material is not required.
QIAPGQTGK and AIVSTIQRKYK, This means, after collecting the
from structural spike glycoprotein swab sample, it can be directly
and replicase polyprotein with put it in a detergent that breaks
a sensitivity of 90 per cent and down the genetic material of the
specificity of 100 per cent. This virus leaving it unable to infect
method involves direct detection anyone.

IIT-H brings world’s
most affordable
respirator mask

The Centre for Healthcare

Entrepreneurship at the Indian

Institute of Technology, Hyderabad

(IIT-H) recently announced its

latest entrepreneurial entity, USafe

Healthcare. An innovation-driven

CeNSE invent enterprise, currently focused on
tattoo sensor for
monitoring health protective equipment against

COVID-19, USafe has developed and

commercialized the world’s most

affordable respirator mask that is highly

durable and adheres to the highest safety

standards for operating in hazardous

A team of researchers at the surface electromyography. environments. The cost of the mask is
The sensor serves as a
Centre for Nanoscience and single conduit for sensing Rs 13 per day. With a vision to provide
respiration rate and pulse,
Engineering (CeNSE) at dispensing with the need high-quality protection, especially in
of mounting multiple
Indian Institute of Science sensors. Its remarkably the healthcare industry and its frontline
high sensitivity with a
(IISc), Bengaluru, is currently gauge factor (GF) has been workers, USafe’s US9 respirator mask
ascribed to the development
working on wearable sensors of nano-cracks and their has a 98.03 per cent PM0.3 filtration
propagation through the film
that can retract information upon application of strain. rate and 99.7 per cent bacterial filtration
The fast response and highly
from human body using its repeatable sensor follow easy rate, better than N95 standards.
fabrication steps and can be
largest organ, the skin. In a patterned into any shape and
size using a laser.
recent work, the team has

fabricated a skin conformal

tattoo sensor about 20

μm thick. The sensor

promises inconspicuous

and continuous monitoring

of vital health parameters

of an individual, like pulse

rate, respiration rate, and



46 R&D NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

IIT- Kgp develops INST works on oral
painless drug nanomedicine for kala-azar
delivery device
Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science & Technology
Researchers at the Department (INST), Mohali have developed an oral nanomedicine with
of Electronics & Electrical the help of surface-modified solid lipid nanoparticles based
Communication Engineering, Indian combinational cargo system for combating visceral leishmaniasis.
Institute of Technology, Kharagpur According to the INST team, till-date there is no study reported
(IIT-Kgp) have developed a where a combination of two anti-leishmanial drugs has been
micropump and microneedle, which delivered through nanomodification as a potential therapeutic
are integral parts of transdermal strategy against visceral leishmaniasis. This work suggests the
drug delivery systems capable of superiority of as-prepared modified formulation (m-DDSLNs)
administering large and viscous drug surface modified with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD)
molecules in a painless way. Painless as a promising approach towards the oral delivery of anti-
transdermal drug delivery has been leishmanial drugs. In this study by INST team, anti-leishmanial
a success story for decades in the drugs Amphotericin B (AmB) and Paromomycin (PM) were
USA and several other countries. In encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles and further modified with
recent years, in order to expand its 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD). The scientists explored
scope, the scientific community has the oral therapeutic potential of the formulation in the treatment
been working towards developing of visceral leishmaniasis. This study by INST team may lead to
microneedles with diameters smaller product and process patent enhancing the role of our country for
than a hair strand. The hollow developing innovative therapy against neglected diseases.
microneedles operate by means
of a pressurized and controlled MedGenome identifies
micropump delivering the drug vaccine candidates for GBC
through the skin. The micropump
pushes out the drug in the reservoir Bengaluru based countries that include Chile,
through the microneedle array. The Bolivia, and Ecuador, and
microneedles are painless as they MedGenome, along with in Asian countries such as
are too small to touch the nerves in Korea, India, Pakistan and
the skin and induce pain reactions. an international team of Japan. The team performed
The innovation by IIT-Kgp has not a comprehensive genomic
only reduced the diameter size of the scientists from institutions analysis and identified
microneedles but has also increased several targetable genomic
the strength so that they do not break alterations. In particular,
while penetrating the skin. The drug they identified frequent
delivery device has been successfully alterations of the ELF3 gene.
tested with animals as per medical They show that the mutated
protocol. The researchers have also peptides derived from ELF3
filed for a patent in India. have the potential for use as
a cancer vaccine to treat GBC
in India, USA, South Korea, patients carrying alteration in
this gene.
Chile and Australia reported

sequencing and analysis of

over 150 gall bladder cancer

(GBC) samples. Currently

there are no targeted

therapies for treating this

cancer. GBC in the US has

a higher incidence among

Southwestern Native

Americans and Mexican

Americans. It is more

prevalent in South American

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com R&D NEWS 47

NITTTR develops viral SCTIMST focuses
sequence predictor to on preventing deep
counter COVID-19 vein thrombosis

Researchers at the National Institute of Technical The formation of a blood clot in a deep
Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), Kolkata vein, usually in the legs or deep vein
have developed a web-based COVID- Predictor to predict thrombosis (DVT), can lead to life threatening
the sequence of viruses online on the basis of machine complications. Scientists have now come up
learning and analyzed 566 Indian SARS-CoV-2 genomes with a device that can facilitate flow of blood
to find the genetic variability in terms of point mutation from the veins in the legs thus preventing DVT.
and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). They have A team from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for
mainly found that 57 out of 64 SNPs are present in 6 Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST),
coding regions of Indian SARS-CoV-2 genomes, and all Trivandrum has developed a device for the
are nonsynonymous in nature. The scientists are on the prevention of DVT. Such devices, which are so
track to identify the genetic variability in SARS-CoV-2 far imported at a cost between Rs 2 lakh and
genomes around the globe including India, find the Rs 5 lakh whereas the device developed by
number of virus strains using SNP, spot the potential SCTIMST team can be placed in the market for
target proteins of the virus and human host based on less than Rs 1 lakh. The newly developed device
protein-protein interactions. The results show that works by compressing the veins in the legs in
the US, England, and India are the top three countries sequence so that the flow of blood from the
having the geometric mean, 3.27, 3.59, and 5.39 per veins in the legs is facilitated. It is equipped with
cent, respectively, of mutation similarity score with other closed loop monitoring of compression pressure
72 countries. The scientists have also developed a web and also has controls through valves, which are
application for searching the mutation points in SARS- driven by an electronic circuit. The license for
CoV-2 genomes globally and country wise. the manufacture and sale of the device has been
transferred to Enproducts located in Kochi.

IIT Mandi designs gold nanoclusters for imaging purpose

Indian Institute of Technology or cellular debris, and clears them. efficient fluorescent nanoprobe
(IIT), Mandi researchers have In this work, the researchers for lysosome imaging. With
designed gold nanoclusters as an have designed a bovine serum this approach, the diameter of
efficient fluorescent nanoprobe for albumin protein conjugated red the lysosome is obtained as 59
lysosome imaging. Out of multiple emissive gold nanoclusters as an nm, which is very close to the
organelles present in an animal original diameter of the smallest
cell, lysosomes play a significant lysosome in HeLa cells. HeLa is
role in cellular processes. A the oldest and most commonly
lysosome is a membrane-bound used immortal cervical cancer cell
cell organelle that contains line. They have been instrumental
digestive enzymes. Lysosomes in studying human diseases,
act as a waste disposal system especially cancer. The next step
for the cell by digesting obsolete of this research is to make these
materials in the cytoplasm, gold nanoclusters as a universal
break-down invading viruses or probe for other multimodal and
bacteria, digests large structures correlative bioimaging techniques.

48 ACADEMIC NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Chitkara University CSIT-IITR pushes
offers PG course in pharmacy based R&D
pharmacovigilance
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research,
Chitkara University in Chandigarh has announced Indian Institute of Toxicology and Research
the launch of a 2-year masters’ programme in (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow has signed a
pharmacovigilance and clinical research, in Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
collaboration with US based Parexel. The programme KIET Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad to
is aimed at addressing the concern of talent crunch in promote information technology, pharmacy
the pharmacovigilance industry and contribute towards based research & development (R&D),
building the research and development capacity of thereby enabling an ecosystem by both the
India. The degree programme is designed to create institutes for startups. The director at IITR
skilled and competent professionals, who can work along with eminent scientists, will address
effectively at different levels in pharmacovigilance the various departments of KIET and thereby
departments of leading pharma companies and clinical a team of experienced experts will frame an
research organizations (CROs) in India as well as extensive strategy to make this agreement
around the world. Parexel will provide industry and extremely effective so that the services could
curriculum support from its Parexel Academy as a part be exchanged with proficiency. Incubators at
of the collaboration. The students graduating from this both the institutes will organize a 6-8 months
programme can find employment as pharmacovigilance of accelerator programme in the fields of
scientists, pharmacovigilance quality reviewers, health and agriculture to give a momentum
pharmacovigilance quality analysts, medical safety to innovation. Department of Science and
writers, system specialists, etc. Technology, and Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology will be approached for
financial support.

IIT-D establishes School of Artificial Intelligence

The Indian Institute of members will be those, who are
Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) has full-time in another department,
established an independent but will interact with ScAI’s faculty
School of Artificial Intelligence members on research initiatives,
(ScAI) on its campus. The AI and may also teach elective
school will commence its PhD courses. The major objective of
programme from January 2021. ScAI is to bring together the more
The institute is also planning to than 50 IIT Delhi faculty members
offer postgraduate (PG) degree individually invested in various
courses. As ScAI gets started, aspects of the field including
several existing faculty members healthcare. With this, ScAI
in the institute are likely to take expects to act as a force multiplier
joint appointments in ScAI, and for overall research productivity.
provide early directions to the IIT intends to initiate educational
school. Finally, adjunct faculty programmes focused on AI.

BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com SUPPLIER NEWS 49

Thermo Fisher introduces Promega
hematology-oncology portfolio launches
benchtop CE
Thermo Fisher Scientific has panel enables simultaneous instrument
announced a new portfolio of analysis of DNA mutations
hematology-oncology assays for and RNA fusion transcripts in Promega has launched its
the Ion Torrent Genexus System myeloid samples in a single day. benchtop capillary electrophoresis
designed to enable a future in It also provides researchers the (CE) instrument, the Spectrum
which turnaround times for ability to profile 40 DNA targets Compact CE System, developed
next-generation sequencing and 29 fusion driver genes, in collaboration with Hitachi
(NGS) results can be reduced enabling detection of more than High-Tech. The personal CE
to less than 24 hours. The 600 fusion isotypes to identify system is an integrated DNA
Oncomine Myeloid Assay GX biomarkers associated with analysis instrument that enables
is the first in a series of clinical myeloproliferative neoplasm life scientists in laboratories
research assays available from (MPN), acute myeloid leukemia of all sizes to perform Sanger
the new suite of hematology- (AML) and myelodysplastic sequencing and fragment analysis
oncology solutions. The new syndrome (MDS). at the bench. The Spectrum
Compact CE System features
PerkinElmer unveils flexible run scheduling, easy-
workstations for to-use interface, convenient
COVID-19 detection benchtop size, separate plug-
and-play consumables, on-site
PerkinElmer has announced the launch of a series of explorer installation and operational
workstations for SARS-CoV-2 testing capable of preparing and training. The instrument supports
running up to 10,000 COVID-19 tests per day. These modular and applications such as microsatellite
scalable workstations enable laboratories to ramp up SARS-CoV-2 instability analysis, mixed sample
testing capacity quickly to generate results. The workstations analysis, forensic short tandem
streamline testing workflows, speeding up SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR repeat (STR) analysis, and cell
and ELISA testing. The workstations help laboratories improve their line authentication. It processes
efficiency, while eliminating errors. In addition, they reduce labour up to 32 samples in a single run
requirements by automating and standardizing disparate workflow and can be controlled by either
steps. They also provide varying degrees of automation based on the integrated touchscreen or by
workload and staffing resources. To better respond to the COVID-19 additional software that allows
pandemic, laboratories need the ability to obtain all workflow access from any registered
components from reagents to equipment, to consumables at the computer on the same network.
scale they need, when they need them. Guided software brings capillary
electrophoresis capabilities to
the hands of any scientist in the
laboratory regardless of skill level.

50 SUPPLIER NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | OCTOBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Qiagen expands integrated coronavirus NGS solutions

Qiagen has launched the combat the COVID-19 pandemic. single-day workflows to prepare
innovative QIAseq SARS-CoV-2 The new QIAseq SARS-CoV-2 libraries for sequencing as
Primer Panel for next-generation Primer Panel provides optimized, researchers use NGS to track viral
sequencing (NGS) of the novel genome changes in studying the
coronavirus genome, along epidemiology of virus outbreaks.
with integrated analysis and The two-step process uses
interpretation workflows for advanced QIAseq technologies
insights into the evolution and to conduct reverse transcription
spread of the virus that causes and cDNA synthesis from a viral
COVID-19 disease. The new RNA sample, then generate
products are an expansion of libraries compatible with Illumina
Qiagen’s broad offering of sample sequencing platforms. The
technologies, diagnostic tests workflow is faster and has lower-
and instruments, and research input requirements compared to
tools for use in the global effort to hybrid capture solutions.

West Pharmaceutical Agilent focuses on
begins warehousing nucleic acid-based
operations in Chennai therapeutics

US headquartered deliveries significantly Agilent Technologies has announced that it
West Pharmaceutical for existing and potential will expand its state-of-the-art production
Services has announced customers. To determine facility in Colorado that develops and
the official opening the SKUs with which manufactures oligos, which are short DNA and
of its warehousing to begin operations, RNA molecules used to create nucleic acid-
operations in Chennai. the West India team based therapeutics. Oligos hold the potential
The warehouse in has evaluated more to be used in developing treatments for cancer,
Sriperumbudur will than 500 SKUs being COVID-19, cardiovascular disease, rare and
serve customers within ordered from different infectious diseases, and other conditions. The
the Indian market and geographies, such as expansion will more than double the current
is integral to West’s Singapore, the United capacity for manufacturing therapeutic oligos
ongoing efforts to States, and the European at the existing site. Agilent expects the supplier
enhance the customer Union. The warehouse market for therapeutic oligos to exceed $750
experience through will initially stock a million in 2025 with projected double-digit
shorter lead time and small number of the top annual growth over the next five years. The
improved trading SKUs being ordered by addition of the higher-volume manufacturing
process. The warehouse customers from these line will help Agilent meet this growing demand
is expected to reduce regions and will expand from leading pharmaceutical and biotech
lead time for stock- to offer more SKUs by companies. Customer shipments from the new
keeping unit (SKU) the end of 2020. line are expected to begin by the end of 2022.