India is highly committed to healthcare technology

In this exclusive interview with Dataquest, Raja Jamalamadaka, Managing Director of Roche Information Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., sheds light on the company's pivotal role in shaping India's digital healthcare landscape.

Roche Information Solutions is at the forefront of digital transformation in healthcare, with a key focus on innovative diagnostics and cutting-edge technologies. The company’s Digital Center of Excellence in Pune plays a pivotal role in creating solutions that not only improve patient care globally but also contribute to the local healthcare landscape in India. 

Excerpt: 

Roche Information Solutions: Driving Digital Healthcare Innovation from India

Can you give us an overview of Roche Information Solutions and its role?

Roche is a Switzerland-based biotech and healthcare organization with two primary business divisions: pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. The pharmaceutical division focuses on advanced drug development, especially in areas like cancer treatment, while the diagnostics division provides innovative diagnostic solutions, such as tests for early disease detection. Roche manufactures both the machines and reagents needed for these tests.

At Roche, technology and digital solutions are crucial across both divisions, and this is where our digital organization steps in. Our Digital Center of Excellence in Pune is part of Roche’s global network of digital sites, responsible for developing digital products for external and internal use.

Roche Information Solutions, one of our digital units, focuses on consumer-facing products like apps paired with medical devices, such as those for tracking glucose readings in diabetes patients. Meanwhile, Roche Informatics develops internal solutions, automating processes for HR, finance, and more. Both units operate out of our 100% digital site in Pune, creating an ecosystem solely focused on digital innovation.

What specific healthcare solutions are you developing at this center?

Although I can’t disclose specific products due to confidentiality, I can give an overview. Our diagnostic solutions help automate laboratory processes. For example, we develop tools that handle thousands of samples, such as blood or tissue, automatically capturing and centralizing the data for analysis. This allows for identifying trends, detecting early disease signs, and improving lab efficiency.

We develop both external solutions for labs worldwide and internal tools to streamline Roche's operations, helping enhance patient care and efficiency in healthcare systems.

What are the key focus areas or priorities for the Digital Center of Excellence?

Our center is driven by three priorities:

1. Innovation:
   We focus on being an innovation hub rather than just an outsourcing center. We've already contributed to five global patents, with more in the pipeline. Innovation drives all our projects.

2. Talent:
   We aim to attract top talent from universities and organizations, creating an environment that fosters creativity and innovation on cutting-edge projects.

3. Collaboration:
   Our center works as part of a global network, ensuring that our efforts align with Roche's global goals. We also engage with India’s GCC ecosystem, contributing to policy discussions and industry events, shaping the Indian tech landscape.

Are there any specific initiatives you're working on to influence the local healthcare landscape in India?

Though our products are largely designed for global markets, we are actively involved in India's healthcare ecosystem. We engage with the NASSCOM Healthcare GCC to contribute to policy initiatives and share insights on improving India’s healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, we work with Roche's commercial affiliates in Mumbai to introduce cutting-edge healthcare solutions to the Indian market. Our involvement extends to industry forums and government panels, helping shape thought leadership and policy in the Indian healthcare sector.

Could you share how generative AI and machine learning are integrated into your solutions?

AI is at the core of our digital products. While I can’t share specific details, AI and machine learning play a significant role in automating diagnostics, predictive analysis, and data trend identification. Our Digital Center of Excellence actively incorporates AI to remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation, ensuring that our solutions evolve with the latest technological advancements.

How is India’s commitment to healthcare technology reflected in Roche's strategy?

India is deeply committed to advancing healthcare technology, especially post-COVID-19. The government is promoting AI and ML education and pushing for the development of AI centers of excellence. At Roche, we align with this vision, contributing our global expertise to local policies and shaping India’s healthcare ecosystem through collaborations with government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat.

What strategies does Roche use to localize products for the Indian market?

While most of our products are designed for global markets, they integrate seamlessly into the Indian healthcare system. Our solutions are well-suited for India’s lab chains and hospitals, and we continue to support local needs through collaboration with our affiliates in Mumbai.

How important is cultural understanding in your product development?

Cultural understanding is vital. We align with India’s unique healthcare needs, recognizing the diverse demands of urban and rural healthcare systems. This allows us to develop solutions that meet India’s specific healthcare challenges while tapping into the aspirations of the local talent pool.

What skills are you looking to cultivate among your workforce?

In addition to core skills like software engineering and data analytics, we focus on informatics, quality assurance, regulatory standards, and integration skills. These are critical for ensuring our products meet global healthcare standards while seamlessly integrating with various software systems.

Could you share any insights about Roche’s overall market presence in India?

On the digital front, we have around 500 employees and are continually expanding. We’ve established strong partnerships with top academic institutions to deepen research collaborations and enhance our talent pipeline. India plays a key role in Roche’s global strategy, and we’re committed to furthering both talent development and market impact in the country.

How does Roche contribute to India’s digital ecosystem and long-term growth?

We are deeply invested in India's long-term growth, not just by hiring top talent but by nurturing them to become leaders. Our Digital Center of Excellence in Pune is designed to foster collaboration and creativity, helping shape the Indian digital landscape. By contributing to thought leadership and industry growth, we’re ensuring that India reaches its full potential as a global digital healthcare hub.