In an era where precision and speed in diagnostics can be the difference between life and death, Agilus Diagnostics, with its pioneering role as India’s first NABL and CAP Accredited Lab to its recent advancements in genomics and personalised medicine, stands at the cutting edge of diagnostic technology. In this exclusive interview, Anand K, the Managing Director & CEO of Agilus Diagnostics, speaks with Dr. Asawari Savant of Elets News Network (ENN) to explore how the company is revolutionising the diagnostic landscape in India. Edited excerpts 

Agilus Diagnostics has been at the forefront of innovation in diagnostics. Could you share with us some of the latest diagnostic technologies or methodologies your labs have adopted, and how they are enhancing patient care?

Agilus Diagnostics is India’s largest diagnostic service provider in terms of the number of laboratories and network presence. Although we are the youngest among the large organised chains, with our inception in 1995, we have made significant strides. We were the first NABL and CAP Accredited Lab in the country and introduced the concept of a ‘reference lab.’ Our global reference laboratory in Mumbai is a full-service lab with specialised genomics capabilities, receiving samples from across the country for advanced tests. We also operate five regional labs in Gurugram, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kochi, offering specialised and super-specialised tests to cater to regional markets with quick turnaround times. Besides providing superior quality and fast turnaround, we offer one of the most exhaustive test menus in the country. From simple blood tests to specialised and advanced genomics tests, we provide diagnostic solutions for the most complex conditions. Agilus Diagnostics was the first lab in India to introduce H1N1 testing, Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, and other technologies. More recently, we have expanded our genomics capabilities, offering genome testing for reproductive disorders, cancer diagnosis and management, rare disorders, and inherited disorders. Our goal has always been to deliver not only diagnoses but also insights that help physicians make informed treatment decisions. We are committed to creating a future where diagnostics significantly influence patient outcomes across the care continuum. It is no longer just a test report but an informed report that aids clinicians in making significantly improved patient management decisions.

With advancements in genomics, personalised medicine is becoming more prominent. How is Agilus Diagnostics leveraging genomic information to tailor treatment plans for patients, and what impact is this having on healthcare outcomes?

Advancements in genomic sequencing technologies have unlocked new possibilities in diagnostics and personalised medicine. Next-generation sequencing techniques help identify genetic predispositions to diseases, enabling tailored treatment plans and predictive diagnostics for various conditions, including cancer, rare diseases, and genetic disorders. The future of our labs increasingly depends on the advent of personalised medicine, predictive testing, and companion diagnostics. Gene-based diagnosis will evolve from a niche field to a widely applicable technology, helping to investigate complex diseases, provide clues for prevention, and guide optimised and personalised treatment modalities.

The global genomics market is projected to reach USD 94.65 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 19.4% during the forecast period. While India, with its population of 1.3 billion, accounts for 20% of the world’s population, the DNA sequences of our people make up only about 0.2% of global genetic databases. We have a long way to go before we can fully benefit from the genomics revolution at scale. As a large corporate laboratory chain, Agilus Diagnostics has pioneered genetic testing in India. We are continually building our genomics capabilities and introducing technologies and tests that transform how care is delivered.

The Union Budget 2022 identified genomics as a sunrise opportunity and stated that the government would implement supportive policies to boost domestic capacities. Industry-academia collaborations, funding for research, and supportive regulatory and policy frameworks can truly transform how genomics enhances healthcare delivery in India.

Maintaining high standards of quality is crucial in diagnostic services. What are some of the quality control mechanisms implemented by Agilus Diagnostics to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results across its network of labs?

Quality is not an end goal but a way of working at Agilus, driven by a strong leadership focus on diagnostic accuracy. Agilus Diagnostics was India’s first NABL and CAP Accredited Lab. Within five to seven years of our inception, we achieved both NABL and CAP Accreditation. This accomplishment reflects our commitment to quality, which is embedded in our processes with customer centricity as a top priority. We operate the largest network of NABL-accredited labs in the country, with 43 NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration), and 3 NABL M(EL)T and 2 CAP (College of American Pathologists) labs in Mumbai and Dubai.

We understand the importance of staying updated with the latest diagnostic industry developments and upskilling. Our flagship MEDGURUKUL Program, a unique training and skill development initiative, ensures our network is current with the latest diagnostic updates. This bi-weekly training session, led by internal and external trainers, is a cornerstone of our continued quality commitment. Our biannual publication, PULSE, documents challenging diagnostic cases across our network, creating a valuable resource for our pathologists to aid in decision-making that impacts patient lives.

Patient safety is paramount in healthcare. How does Agilus Diagnostics prioritise patient safety within its laboratories, especially considering the large volume of tests conducted?

The role of diagnostics in patient safety is critical, as diagnostic reports influence 70% of clinical decisions. Ensuring reports are accurate, reliable, and delivered timely is key to patient safety. Our large network of accredited labs helps build trust with patients and doctors who prefer accredited labs for making medical decisions. Digitalisation of lab processes has improved efficiency and reduced errors. Additionally, the integration of AI and ML in lab processes, promoting patient engagement, regular maintenance and quality checks, and interdisciplinary collaboration all contribute to patient safety.

We also emphasise ethical conduct and patient rights. We maintain high confidentiality levels and establish a culture of safety where errors are viewed as learning opportunities. This culture promotes transparency and reporting, leading to strategies to prevent error recurrence and improve patient safety. Our commitment to customer centricity ensures that patient safety remains fundamental to our operations.

Lab professionals play a vital role in the healthcare continuum. How does Agilus Diagnostics recognise and appreciate the contributions of its lab professionals in delivering quality diagnostic services?

Medical technologists are crucial to the Indian diagnostic industry, responsible for ensuring the accuracy of laboratory processes and results. Their role is essential for disease detection, management, and public health surveillance, contributing to early diagnosis and effective treatment. At Agilus, we are committed to recognising their crucial work and cultivating the next generation of laboratory professionals while prioritising patient safety and care. We provide a fulfilling work environment, invest in continuous technical education and re-skilling, and share spotlight stories of lab professionals through internal newsletters and social channels. We encourage participation in conferences and development programs and have established mentorship and career advancement programs.

Building capabilities in India for homegrown diagnostic kits, assays, and lab-developed tests is crucial for self-reliance in healthcare. Can you discuss Agilus Diagnostics’ efforts in promoting indigenous research and development in diagnostics?

Taking inspiration from CLIA standards in the US for lab-developed tests, our regulatory bodies, like CDSCO, could open up the regulatory framework to help laboratories develop indigenous tests customised to the Indian population. This would encourage more research and innovation, reducing dependence on imported kits. With the right support from policymakers and the government, India could become self-reliant in test kits in a few years. Our R&D team is working on developing biomarkers and assays tailored to our population, though the lack of regulation in the industry is a barrier to this process.

Also read: Rewiring Healthcare: Transforming Clinical Decision-Making with Brain–Computer Interfaces

Research and development are key drivers of innovation in diagnostics. How is Agilus Diagnostics investing in R&D initiatives to stay ahead of the curve and continuously improve its diagnostic offerings?

In FY 23-24, we remained committed to diagnostic advancements, process efficiency, cutting-edge technologies, and futuristic areas such as genomics. We focused on developing and launching multi-pathogen panels for syndromic testing of infectious diseases, oncology, and genetics. Twelve new molecular tests and panels targeting women’s health and ophthalmological infections were successfully launched. Our genomics portfolio continued to grow, with advancements in reproductive medicine, oncology, and rare disorders panels. We successfully adopted advanced fourth-generation sequencing technology, i.e., Nanopore, for comprehensive infectious disease panels targeting bacteria, fungi, and antimicrobial drug resistance genes. Our R&D team continued its focus on clinical research studies, co-marketing projects, contract validations, and collaborations. Notably, we conducted a study on novel biomarkers for diabetic cases and collaborated with Haystack Analytics on a TB Whole Genome Sequencing study funded by MCGM, involving approximately 1000 patients. Additionally, our R&D Division joined the ICMR TB Diagnostic Consortium to support validation of newer TB diagnostic tests and technologies. We are also in the process of registering our R&D division as an Evaluation Centre for Medical Devices and Diagnostics under CDSCO, with the documentation process concluded and final registration pending.

Like

Dislike

Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter , Instagram.

"Exciting news! Elets technomedia is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest insights!" Click here!