Cancer care in India is poised for a potential revolution through the innovative fusion of technology and biosciences. Two distinguished experts, Keith Flaherty, the director of clinical research at Harvard Medical School, and technologist Vivek Wadhwa, are leading an ambitious project that seeks to accelerate the detection of cancers, with India at the heart of this transformative endeavor.
In a recent discussion during the 21st edition of the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Flaherty and Wadhwa expressed their belief that India, with its abundant technological resources, its people, and an enabling environment, is the ideal place to pioneer this groundbreaking approach.
Wadhwa, who is involved in Karkinos, a startup backed by Tata Trusts with a focus on oncology, highlighted the need for transformative changes in the medical system. He emphasized, "I think the American medical system is broken. There are too many impediments. The best place to do something transformative is India, where there is no need to protect a legacy."
The heart of their vision lies in using artificial intelligence (AI) based technologies to detect biological indicators of cancer at an earlier stage, with the goal of improving the chances of successful treatment. They recognized the urgency of this approach, as cancer in India is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment less effective.
Flaherty explained that while methods to detect cancer signs exist, they are not always diagnostic, and advanced techniques such as genome sequencing are underutilized, especially in poorer regions of the world. In India, with its vast population and potential for data collection, there is an opportunity to gather the required information to train AI technology for earlier cancer detection using less complex methods like blood tests.
A pivotal moment in the project's development came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support, which both experts acknowledged. They were struck by his engagement and vision for the project. Wadhwa stated, "I told him that we could put together Karkinos only because of his support."
Flaherty further highlighted their positive experience with the Indian workforce, praising their strong work ethic and humility. India, they noted, has the potential to lead a diagnostic revolution that could set an example for the world.
While the focus is on diagnostics, Wadhwa appealed to partners, biotech companies, large pharmaceutical firms, and therapeutics developers to collaborate and address the issue of access to therapeutics in India. Such collaboration, they believe, will not only revolutionize care within India but also benefit the world, serving as a model for transforming cancer care through technology and collaboration.
The ambitious project driven by Keith Flaherty and Vivek Wadhwa is a testament to the potential for India to pioneer transformative changes in healthcare, leveraging its technological resources and collaborative spirit to improve cancer care for its citizens and beyond.
