Aiming to improve global health by developing deep insights into diseases at the genetic and molecular levels, Diverse Genomics Pvt. Ltd. is committed to making genetic screening and testing accessible for all patients.
The organization was incepted and Co-founded by Managing Director, Saurav Jaiswal, with his passion for gathering knowledge from different arenas of life, especially in science and technology.
We caught up with Saurav and discussed how Diverse Genomics aspires to transform medical genomics and personalized therapeutics space.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Kindly tell us the source of inspiration. What led you to venture into the Biotech Industry?
My motivation for entering the biotech industry stems from a personal tragedy I experienced. At the young age of 18, I lost my mother to a brain tumor and cancer. This loss inspired me to channel my energy and resources towards improving cancer-related early detection, leveraging cutting-edge biotech genomics sequencing technology. I am driven by a passion to help others avoid the same fate as my mother, and to make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer.
Brief us about yourself and shed some light on your role and responsibility at the company.
Also, being the CEO, I manage operations across the complete business cycle, starting from HR, R&D, Clinical Oncology, Genomics, Business Development & Sales, and other corporate functions. Subsequently, I help raise capital and earn revenue for the company’s future wealth creation.
Brief us about the rising need for Biotech software in the healthcare sector. How will it impact how patients receive treatment and the clinical decisions taken by care providers?
The healthcare sector is increasingly relying on biotech software to improve patient care and treatment outcomes. The rise of big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence has created new opportunities for biotech software to be applied in various aspects of healthcare, including:
Precision medicine: Biotech software can be used to analyze large amounts of genomic, proteomic, and clinical data to identify individualized treatment plans for patients. This can help improve the accuracy of diagnoses and predictions of disease progression, leading to better patient outcomes.
Clinical decision making: Biotech software can provide care providers with real-time access to patient data and analytics, helping to support more informed clinical decisions. This can improve the speed and accuracy of diagnoses, reduce medical errors, and lead to better patient outcomes.
Drug discovery: Biotech software can help speed up the drug discovery process by enabling researchers to quickly analyze large amounts of data on potential drug targets, accelerating the development of new treatments.
Telemedicine: Biotech software is playing an increasingly important role in supporting remote patient monitoring and telemedicine, helping to improve access to care for patients in rural or remote areas.
In summary, the use of biotech software in healthcare is expected to have a major impact on the way patients receive treatment and the clinical decisions made by care providers. By improving the accuracy and speed of diagnoses, reducing medical errors, and supporting personalized treatment plans, biotech software is poised to play a critical role in advancing the quality of patient care in the years to come.
What unique biotech solutions does your company offer compared to other companies that have already come up with similar software to resolve current healthcare issues? What factor sets it apart from the rest in the market?
We are focused on the non-invasive way of DNA extraction – which is more accessible and hassle-free for patients. We are trying to eliminate cold chain logistics for sample shipment with an advanced IVD-approved sample collection kit, which requires minimum shipment effort.
We have developed our proprietary tests KARK- Early detection for multiple cancer solutions, supported by our unique bioinformatics pipelines, proprietary databases, and collaborators.
Our cloud computing power has increased with the help of our partnership with Google for Start-ups (GCP); our bioinformatics and data processing cycle time will be reduced from weeks to days and will increase productivity.
What specific R&D operations are your company leading at present? Why do you find them essential in developing BioTech solutions?
Whole exome sequencing (WES) is a powerful genetic technique that allows researchers to analyze all the protein-coding regions of the genome (the exome) to identify genetic variants that may be associated with a particular disease or trait. Companies that are leading in the development and implementation of WES technology for research and diagnostic applications are essential in developing biotech solutions for several reasons:
Identifying genetic variants: WES allows for identifying genetic variations that may be associated with a particular disease or trait, which is a critical step in understanding the underlying biology of an illness and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic options.
Advancement of personalized medicine: WES can identify genetic variations that may influence an individual’s response to a particular treatment, which can help optimize treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Improved diagnostic accuracy: WES can be used to identify genetic variations that may be associated with a particular disease, which can help to improve the accuracy of diagnostic testing and reduce the number of false positive and false negative results.
Drug development: WES can be used to identify genetic variations that may influence an individual’s response to a particular drug, which can help to optimize drug development and improve the chances of success in clinical trials.
Scalability: Leading companies in WES technology have the resources and infrastructure to scale up the production of these tests, making them more accessible to patients.
Therefore, companies leading in developing and implementing WES technology play a vital role in advancing our understanding of the genetic basis of diseases and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic options. They are essential in helping to translate genetic discoveries into clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
In what way do you consider technological advances a pathway in conducting your operations?
In recent years, there has been a significant advancement in the use of AI and computing in DNA sequencing. Some examples include:
- Improved algorithms for DNA assembly, which use machine learning techniques to put together the sequences of DNA more accurately and efficiently.
- Developing deep learning models for variant calling allows for identifying genetic mutations with greater accuracy.
- Use cloud computing and high-performance computing to process large amounts of DNA sequencing data, allowing faster and more efficient analysis.
- The development of AI-based tools for interpreting genomic data can help identify genetic markers for diseases and aid in discovering new therapies.
- Advancements in CRISPR technology allow precise DNA sequence modifications with the help of AI-based software.
Overall, the combination of AI, computing, and DNA sequencing is revolutionizing the field of genomics and has an enormous potential to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, in addition to making gene editing more precise and efficient.
What endeavours is the company pursuing to improve its service measures for the clients?
POCT “Point of Care Testing,” which refers to medical tests that are performed at or near the site of patient care, rather than in a laboratory.
Streamlining test processes: Improving the speed, accuracy, and reliability of POCT tests can help provide quicker results and a better experience for clients.
Providing patient education and support: Providing patients with information and support throughout the testing process can help alleviate any concerns or worries they may have and improve their overall experience.
Non-Invasive way of collecting samples – Oral swab and Blood.
Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive method for detecting and analyzing cancer cells using biological fluids such as blood. Advancements in AI and computing have played a significant role in developing liquid biopsy technology.
Overall, liquid biopsy technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer detection and treatment, allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnosis, as well as providing essential information for treatment decisions.
What advice would you like to give to budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who desire to venture into the Biotech Industry?
Biotechnology requires significant capital, long gestation periods, and enormous patience. Biopreneurship can be challenging, as it often involves significant financial and technical risks. However, it can also be gratifying, as successful ecopreneurs can substantially impact society and improve human health.
How do you envision scaling the company’s services and operations in 2023 and beyond?
Scaling the company’s services and operations in 2023 and beyond will likely involve several different strategies, depending on the specific goals and circumstances of the company. However, some possible ways to scale the company’s services and operations include the following:
Expanding the company’s customer base: This can be achieved by increasing marketing and sales efforts, developing new partnerships and collaborations, and entering new markets.
Developing new products and services: This can include creating new liquid biopsy tests, expanding the range of cancers that can be detected, and developing new technologies to improve the accuracy and reliability of the tests.
Investing in automation and digitalization: This can include implementing automation technologies in the lab and using digital platforms to improve the efficiency and scalability of the company’s operations.
Building a strong team can include:
- Recruiting and retaining top talent,
- Investing in employee training and development, and
- Creating a positive and supportive work environment.
Investing in research and development: This can include funding research projects to develop new products and services and exploring new technologies to improve the company’s services and operations.
Leveraging new technologies: Biotechnology is advancing rapidly; there are new technologies such as CRISPR, AI, and machine learning that can be integrated into the company’s services to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Focusing on cost reduction: The company can focus on reducing costs through automation, process optimization, and implementing technology to improve efficiency, which can help to lower the cost of liquid biopsy and make it more accessible to more patients.
Building strategic partnerships: Building partnerships with other biotech companies, pharmaceutical companies, and academic institutions can help the company to access new technologies, funding, and expertise, which can support the company’s growth and expansion.