Healthcare

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Biobanks are set to revolutionize medical research by providing a platform to simulate and test biopharma products and therapies before human trials. While the U.S. and Europe lead the way in establishing disease-focused biobanks, India is beginning to explore this concept.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Sapien Biosciences, in collaboration with Apollo Hospitals, has taken a pioneering step by setting up a cancer biobank. However, biobanks are long-term projects requiring extensive patient consent to use samples for research.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true">India's Potential in Biobank Development</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">India can potentially lead the biobank revolution due to its diverse population. Many testing labs in India process millions of patient samples, which are typically discarded after generating test reports. However, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released guidelines for the ethical use of leftover de-identified or anonymous samples for commercial purposes.&nbsp;</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true">This</span><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> provides an opportunity for testing labs to establish bio-repositories, which could evolve into biobanks with patient sample cohorts for various diseases.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true">Ecosystem for Molecular-Grade Sample Preservation and Biobank Platform</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Before the COVID-19 pandemic, India lacked the infrastructure for molecular-grade sample storage, processing, and data annotation. In response to the pandemic, India developed a comprehensive value chain for the molecular transport and storage of DNA, RNA, tissues, cells, urine, fecal, and microbiome samples.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Additionally, India now has biobanking software that complies with global certification standards. With this foundation in place, India's leading lab chains are well-positioned to emerge as biobanks, securing their role in the future of medicine.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em>This article was contributed by our expert <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alxazooka/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alex D Paul</a></em></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Alex D Paul</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?&nbsp;</span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I'm Alex D Paul, CEO of Azooka Labs, and I have extensive experience in bringing biotechnology products from concept to global patent grants in four countries and from the lab to the market. Azooka's first product was a food-grade DNA binding dye designed to replace the 46-year-old biohazardous substances Ethidium Bromide and SYBR Green. This dye is a core component used in PCR and RT-PCR kits.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I co-developed India's first Molecular Transport Medium, enabling the transport of COVID-19 samples at room temperature. I led the team in establishing a molecular-grade manufacturing unit for genomics consumables using sustainable manufacturing practices.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">These accomplishments have been recognized by India's Department of Biotechnology, BIRAC, Department of Science and Technology, Technology Development Board of India, and National Startup Economic Times, where we were named one of the top 10 companies for social impact in 2020. Additionally, we were honored in Nasscom Emerge's League of Top 10 in India.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Today, Azooka has 156 customers in the biotechnology and healthcare domain.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. Who are the main players in the biobanking industry, and what market share or position does each represent?</span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The global Biobank market is 69.5 Billion. It is a fast-growing industry that Biopharma and therapeutics companies rely on. In India, Sapien Biosciences is a key player who has set up Asia&rsquo;s first cancer biobank in association with Apollo Hospitals. OpenSpecimen is another company that is working on offering LIMS-based software to manage biorepositories and Biobanks. Most of the players in India are service providers who are implementing US-based biobanking solutions.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. What is the go-to-market strategy for the industry?</span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Biobanking is the test bed for biopharma and therapeutics companies working on a new drug or therapies. As FDA has banned animal testing it is important to derive test data from sample cohorts of the biobank. Biobank will be the cornerstone of personalized medicine by providing a bedrock of samples for testing and validation.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. What is the current demand/volume in the market? How are key players adapting?</span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">This is a fast-growing market with biobanks mainly in Europe and the US. It will become a mainstream market in 10 years. India has biobanks for critical diseases like Cancer, HIV, and TB. All Biopharma or therapeutics companies work with or collaborate with a biobank.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">5. What are the best growth opportunities in the biobanking market, and why?</span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">All Biopharma and therapeutics companies must collaborate with or build their own biobanks.&nbsp;</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">6. Are there any mergers and acquisitions/consolidations that are expected in the biobanking industry?</span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">None at the moment; the market is in its awareness and early adopters stage.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?</span></h2><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li class="MsoNormal">What are your areas of coverage of sample cohorts: Diseases and healthy cohorts?</li><li class="MsoNormal">What is the sample size and breadth of genomic data coverage?</li><li class="MsoNormal">What is the sequence methodology used WGS or NGS?</li><li class="MsoNormal">Is the sample cohort and sequence data annotated with researchers</li><li class="MsoNormal">Details of Legal consent certification and compensation terms for usage of samples?</li><li class="MsoNormal">What are the target companies: Cancer, Neurodegenerative, Antimicrobial resistance?</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p>