The author has posted comments on this articleBiswarup Gooptu, ET Bureau | Sep 25, 2013, 09.19AM IST NEW DELHI: Demand for quality healthcare and easier access to capital have led to the launch of many startups working in such areas as new drug development, stem cell therapy and advanced diagnostics. This has made the sector one of the most vibrant in India's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Delhi-based Invictus Technology, which develops drugs for cancer care, is due to begin pre-clinical trials. "These platinum-based drugs will be less toxic and more effective," said Shiladitya Sengupta, 40, cofounder of the startup launched in 2011. "We are not looking at simply treating cancer, we are looking to cure it," said Sengupta who is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. This is the third startup that he has cofounded after Mitra Biotech, a Bangalore-based company that develops technology for personalised cancer therapy and Vyome Biosciences, which addresses skin diseases.

Entrepreneurs like Sengupta are targeting India's $78 billion ( Rs 48,984 crore) healthcare market, which is one of the most under-penetrated globally.

Twenty-four-year-old Zoya Brar quit her job at Google India last year to set up Core Diagnostics, along with colleague Arghya Basu, 27. The company offers high-end diagnostic services for cardiology and oncology,

"In this space, it is the pipeline that matters, not revenue, when it comes to establishing valuation," said Brar whose startup has already received Rs 27 cr of seed funding from Artiman Ventures. The company is now looking to expand into endocrinology and full and partial genome sequencing services.

"There are some very innovative ideas coming out of India, but early investors need to take more risks in backing the ventures," said Amit Varma, managing partner of Quadria Capital, a healthcare-focused private equity fund.

Invictus has garnered venture capital funding in spite of not generating much cash flow. Backed by Navam Capital and Aarin Capital, the company is looking to earn revenue by licensing its product across markets by 2015.

"It's a valuation play. We want to come out with India's first blockbuster cancer drug, and if phase-I trials are successful, then the company can be valued at between $100 million ( Rs 628 cr) and $150 million ( Rs 942 cr)," said Sengupta. Support is also coming from large pharma companies and hospital chains.

Stempeutics Research, which offers affordable stem cell-based therapeutics for the treatment of osteoarthritis and cirrhosis of the liver, is backed by the Manipal Group which runs a network of educational institutions and hospitals in Karnataka.

The Bangalore-based venture is currently conducting Phase-II trials in India and Malaysia for three products: Stempeucel, which focuses on treating cardiovascular, orthopaedics and respiratory diseases; Stempeutron, a device used for cosmetic therapy and Stempeucare that helps in skin regeneration.

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Startups do promising work in drug development, stem cell therapy and advanced diagnostics

Poway, California (PRWEB) September 24, 2013

Vet-Stem, Inc., the world's leading Regenerative Veterinary Medicine company, is pleased to announce that Pets Best Insurance plans provide coverage for Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. Pets Best Insurance knows that with pets come vet bills, especially when a pet is suffering from the pain of injury or arthritis. Pets Best Insurance wants the best for pets and their owners and Vet-Stem offers the best in regenerative medicine for them. Pets suffering from pain of osteoarthritis, joint issues, and injuries of the muscle, tendon and ligament can now be given stem cell therapy.

Vet-Stem first offered stem cell therapy for dogs and cats in 2007. One of the success stories and stem cell advocates is part of the Pets Best Insurance family, Jetta, owned by Greg McDonald, CEO of Pets Best Insurance.

Jack L. Stephens, DVM and President/Founder of Pets Best Insurance talks about Gregs experience: "Our CEO had a wonderful experience utilizing Vet-Stem therapy in his twelve year old lab. He loved throwing, and she loved chasing, a ball every evening. But as she aged, she just could not do it due to severe arthritis. Surgery was not a viable alternative and he asked me about stem cell therapy. I told him we had seen claims with the treatment and it was covered with our insurance. He had it done, her condition very much improved and she was able to chase the ball again. Pets Best Insurance provides full coverage for Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell Therapy, in fact we were early adopters of providing coverage and paying for the therapy. Any procedure performed by practicing veterinarians that helps pets, we are in favor of.

"We are proud that so many dog owners and veterinarians have placed their trust in Vet-Stem Cell therapy. We feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that there are thousands of dogs and dog owners who have experienced the benefit of stem cell technology. This practical and beneficial application of technology puts stem cell therapy into the present day instead of a future theoretical concept. The fact that Pets Best provides coverage for our therapy is an added plus and makes this a viable treatment option for many more pet owners," said Robert Harman, DVM, MPVM, Founder and CEO of Vet-Stem.

For more information about Pets Best Insurance visit http://www.petsbest.com

About Vet-Stem, Inc. Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem, Inc. pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine. The company holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including world-wide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells. In the last decade over 10,000 animals have been treated using Vet-Stem, Inc.s services, and Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disease, as well as organ disease and failure. For more on Vet-Stem, Inc. and Veterinary Regenerative Medicine visit http://www.vet-stem.com or call 858-748-2004.

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Pets Best Insurance Announces Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Veterinary Medicine by Vet-Stem, Inc. Covered by ...