The future of healthcare innovation in India is being shaped by a powerful triad: capital, collaboration, and clinical credibility. This emerged as the central theme during a panel discussion titled “Capital, Collaboration, and Clinical Credibility: The New Triad of Health Innovation”, moderated by Dr. Debjani Saha, AGM, Premas Life Sciences.
The conversation brought together industry leaders to explore how investment, cross-sector collaboration, and evidence-backed credibility are redefining treatment pathways and expanding access to quality healthcare across India.
Rajeev Arora, President & Cluster Head – Critical Care, Oncology & Hematology, and Emergency Medicine, BSV-Mankind, emphasized “the need for investments that go beyond consolidation. “During a recent visit to AI Hospital in Amritsar, I saw how corporate consolidation is shaping healthcare, but real investment should focus on improving patient safety, outcomes, and accessibility—especially in tier-two, tier-three, and rural areas. Emergency care infrastructure, including ambulances, connectivity, and expert guidance during the critical ‘golden hour,’ is often lacking. Capital must address these systemic gaps rather than just assets,” he said. Arora further stressed simplifying care pathways and integrating government initiatives to enhance patient outcomes nationwide.”
Sharad Goswami, Senior Director – Global Policy and International Public Affairs, Pfizer, highlighted the role of capital in biopharma innovation. “Developing a single new drug costs around $2.5 billion and begins with thousands of candidates. India has made progress with R&D programs, but significantly more financing is needed to support high-risk innovation. Science-driven regulatory pathways, global harmonization, and robust intellectual property protection are essential to attract investments and clinical trials. With the right policies, India can emerge as a global hub for biopharma innovation in the next decade,” he stated.
Neeraj Lal, Regional Director – Maharashtra and Karnataka Region, Medicover Hospitals, focused on operational transformation. “Capital infusion enables hospitals to improve efficiency and patient care dramatically. Minimally invasive and robotic surgeries reduce procedure times, hospital stays, and costs while improving outcomes. Technology integration—from fully paperless operations to AI-enabled remote monitoring of critical care beds—has revolutionized care delivery in tier-two and tier-three cities. Even non-clinical operations, such as patient transport, have been optimized digitally, enhancing workflow and patient experience. Combining capital, technology, and operational focus is making healthcare faster, safer, more efficient, and increasingly accessible beyond hospital walls,” he noted.
The panel concluded that India’s healthcare landscape is at a pivotal juncture, where smart investment, cross-sector collaboration, and evidence-backed clinical practices can collectively drive innovation, expand access, and improve patient outcomes.
The discussion took place at the VOH National Healthcare Summit and Awards 2025 held at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi on 17 December.