Innovations in products, systems and services are only way to promote sustainability

Siemens Healthineers India focus will revolve around access to care, comprehensive cancer care, cardiovascular  and neurovascular care, networked care, and digitallyenabled services. The company’s commitment to  breakthroughs in healthcare aligns with the values embraced by the new medical devices policy, fostering  optimism for the creation of an ecosystem that promotes the holistic growth of the entire MedTech industry in India. Hariharan Subramanian, MD, Siemens Heathineers, reveals more

Can you provide insights into Siemens Healthineers’ growth and expansion strategies for the year 2024?

Under our ‘New Ambition’ phase of Strategy 2025, we have set some clear goals for the company’s future—for sustainable profitable growth that will enable us to create value for our employees, customers, shareholders, and the communities in which we live—while pioneering breakthroughs for the well-being of everyone, everywhere, sustainably.

In India, our unwavering commitment would revolve around access to care, comprehensive cancer care, cardiovascular and neurovascular care, networked care, and digitally-enabled services. These targeted areas underpin our dedicated strategies, seamlessly aligning with the overarching growth vectors set for the
New Ambition phase globally.

Our endeavours in the country resonate harmoniously with our global vision. We believe that further innovations in products, systems, and services are the only way to promote sustainability. Within the dynamic landscape of the Asia Pacific region, India emerges as one of the fastest-growing markets for Siemens Healthineers. Notably, a significant share of the innovations emerging from our company bears the mark of contributions from India. We are already in the expansion phase and as a part of that, we are investing Rs 1,300 crore in an innovation hub in Bengaluru. The innovation hub will be housed in a new state-of-the-art campus that will co-locate R&D centre and an ultra-modern medical imaging factory. This will go a long way in advancing the digitalisation of healthcare and  better serve the needs of emerging markets.

How does Siemens Healthineers strong engineering heritage and dedication to innovation  contribute to improving healthcare experiences for patients and their families worldwide?

Our robust engineering legacy, fostered since the start of manufacturing in India in 1959. This directly translates into impactful contributions to enhance healthcare experiences for patients and their families. Our engineers and researchers worldwide continue to build upon our legacy of innovation. Backed by an annual research and development investment of €1.8 billion and about 24,000 technical intellectual property rights, including more than 15,000 granted patents, we constantly bring breakthrough innovations to the market – for the benefit of patients, medical professionals, and society. Through continuous investments and a focus on holistic growth, our manufacturing facilities in India, particularly the Bengaluru factory under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI)  scheme, play a pivotal role. Here, cutting-edge technologies such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Mobile C-arms are manufactured, ensuring that patients receive advanced and  reliable medical solutions, made in India. The export of our globally acclaimed Mobile C-Arm, Cios Fit to over 64 countries, reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare experiences worldwide. The Vadodara facility further augments our efforts by producing lab diagnostics and point-of-care products, emphasising our integral role in providing patient-centric healthcare for all.

In the MedTech industry, where quality control and regulatory compliance play pivotal roles, how does Siemens Healthineers guarantee that its products and services achieve the highest standards of quality?

We at Siemens Healthineers ensure that our products and services not only consistently meet but exceed the  stringent quality control and regulatory standards set for the MedTech industry, where adherence to quality  control and regulatory compliance are paramount. This relentless dedication not only reflects our commitment to delivering excellence but also underscores the significance of maintaining these standards within the MedTech sector, where precision and compliance are critical for the well-being of patients, the effectiveness of medical treatments, and the broader societal impact. We understand the importance of quality control and regulatory compliance measures, and complying with them is imperative for us. Our Vadodara manufacturing facility has held a unique record of ‘zero batch recall for any product’ for over 45 years, since its inception.

What are the key challenges, innovations, and future perspectives in navigating India’s diagnostic landscape?

The challenges faced by the MedTech sector can be broadly categorised into supply chain and material costs, regulatory issues, talent development, and research and development (R&D).

• Supply chain challenges and material cost increases, initiated by the post-COVID scenario and further fuelled by geopolitical issues, persist.

• Diverse regulatory landscapes in different regions result in prolonged and intricate approval processes, impacting time-to-market and indirectly raising expenses.

• Securing an industry-ready talent pool remains a significant hurdle, with a lack of industry exposure contributing to higher training costs.

• The growth of structured, long-term partnerships between industry and academia is crucial to addressing
this talent gap.

• Research and Development require increased resources to develop local technologies and overcome the Access to Care challenge.

As India aspires to become a global hub for medical device manufacturing, initiatives like the National Medical Devices Policy (NMDP) offer a positive boost to the MedTech sector. Support
for research and development, coupled with a focus on innovation, will catalyse advancing the healthcare infrastructure in the country.

At Siemens Healthineers, our commitment to pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare aligns with the values embraced by the new medical devices policy, fostering optimism for the creation of an ecosystem that promotes the holistic growth of the entire MedTech industry in India.

What are the plans for diversifying into a new service sector? Could you share insights into the upcoming product launches for this financial year?

Customer-centricity is at our core, and we continually assess market needs to develop products and solutions that empower healthcare providers in India and worldwide. Our strong focus on continuous innovation, integrating product development and clinical value creation, enhances our ability to provide more value to our customers
and helps us fill in the gaps, making quality healthcare accessible to all. Siemens Healthineers is continuously
developing its product and service portfolio, with AI-supported applications and digital offerings that play an increasingly important role in the next generation of medical technology. Through innovative solutions and
digitalisation, we are addressing the current challenges and future healthcare needs in India. Our collaborations with various organisations reflect our commitment to pioneering healthcare breakthroughs for everyone, everywhere, sustainably.

How does Siemens Healthineers contribute to the nation’s medical device manufacturing sector?

Siemens Healthineers actively contributes to the nation’s medical device manufacturing sector through our unwavering commitment to innovation, growth, and sustainability. Our extensive investment in expanding manufacturing facilities across India, exemplified by the Bengaluru factory operating under the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, underscores our dedication to fostering domestic production.
By manufacturing cutting-edge medical devices, including Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) devices, we align with the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’—developing innovative, technologically advanced, and accessible healthcare solutions for our citizens. The Bengaluru factory also
manufactures Cios Fit, a mobile C-arm, conceptualised, designed, and developed in India, and currently exported  to over 64 countries across the globe.

With a heritage of over six decades in India, we continually invest in holistic growth, aligned with the government’s
support and encouragement. Our manufacturing initiatives aim to fortify India’s growth story by creating job opportunities, driving economic development, and ensuring the accessibility of high-quality medical devices nationwide. As Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare for everyone, everywhere, sustainably, our contributions to the MedTech sector align with the broader goal of enhancing healthcare experiences for patients and their families across India as well as globally.

By Sonali Patranabish