|
UE LifeSciences, a women's healthcare innovator firm supported by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr Ranjan Pai and several angel investors, is looking at launching its initiative RaKSA to detect breast, cervical and oral cancers across primary health centres (PHCs) in collaboration with the Central government next year.
The initiative will be a community health worker-led triple cancer early detection and navigation initiative with the support of the company's three handheld diagnostics devices - iBreastExam for detection of breast cancer, CervAIcal a mobile colposcope for detection of cervical cancer, and OrCa for oral cancer assessment and digital documentation connected with a mobile application.
"This game-changing solution will empower 40,000 primary health centres (PHCs) nationwide with non-invasive, radiation-free technology to detect breast, cervical, and oral cancers. RaKSA strengthens the foundation of India's healthcare system by providing PHCs with the tools they need to reach an estimated 190 million women, ensuring access to vital early detection services," said Mihir Shah, founder and president, UE LifeSciences.
"We're currently collaborating with the government to bring RaKSA to every PHC, transforming the landscape of women's health in India," he added. The company, based in US, has its office in India, Malaysia and Colombia.
The company, which has already expanded its business to Southeast Asia, Latin America and South Africa, is looking at high-income markets such as the United States and Europe for market expansion. Further expansion in Latin America is also planned, including Brazil and Chile.
Commenting on the opportunities of handheld devices, he said that it would help to reach women in underserved communities who need to travel long distances to hospitals or clinics, for early diagnostics.
However, challenges include slow adaptation of new technology, ensuring proper training for non-expert users and building awareness among the population, ensuring seamless linkage to treatment and follow-up care, among others.
While the regulatory framework in India for handheld diagnostics is promising and developing, there is room for improvement in streamlining the regulatory approval processes, establishing clear and consistent quality standards and guidelines, among others. The company is actively in dialogue with the regulatory bodies advocating for policies that support the development and widespread adoption of safe, effective, and affordable handheld diagnostic solutions, he added.
The company has raised around $7 million in investment from angel investors and is supported by the Bayer Foundation, Pfizer Foundation, the Anjali Mashelkar Inclusive Innovation Award, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, amongst others. These combined, have given the company over $1.5 million in funding.
"We are in a growth phase, where we have exciting business models reaching scale across Latin America, South East Asia, MENA and India, with B2B and B2G offerings. We are projecting over US $100 million in sales, by the end of 2026," added Shah.
The company will soon launch a urban-private market program aimed at 100 million women in the top 100 cities in emerging markets, where it is one of the most pressing issues for working women, he said.
|