Global pharmaceutical company Novartis, on February 18,launched its first digital innovation hub in Asia – Novartis Biome India.Through this initiative, Novartis plans to engage with startups and innovators in healthcare space.Novartis Biome also has presence in San Francisco, Paris and London.

Biome is a digital lab powered by Novartis. It aims to bring together and empower technology companies and people who are passionate about disrupting healthcare through data and digital technologies.

Apart from workspace, Biome will also provide state-of-the-art IT sandbox infrastructure that will host a series of emerging technologies to promote collaboration and innovation. Biome aims to scale up, complement and enhance the progress made by startups and health innovators in India.

The first in Asia, the Novartis Biome India will act as a bridge to the external ecosystem, enabling Novartis teams to better discover, develop and drive collaborations that transform innovative initiatives into impactful and scalable solutions for patients.

Sharing how the company is using technology and what role Hyderabad and India will play in its global operations, Novartis Pharma chief information officer (CIO) Scott Sandschafer said, “We are using IT with an aim to contribute towards business both topline and bottomline, provide agility and be responsive. The technology is also helping us achieve quality enhancement, regulatory compliance and operational efficiencies to create more value for the company.”

“By joining this global network, the Novartis Biome India can tap into the assets and expertise of the broader Novartis portfolio to have even greater impact, like having access to anonymised data, customised residency programs and personalised mentoring. India has a rich and vibrant technology community. Together, we have a fantastic opportunity to combine our scientific know-how with the expertise of tech players, big and small, to create digital solutions for patients, at scale,”said Bertrand Bodson, Chief Digital Officer, Novartis.

“Our ambition is to use data and digital to improve and extend people’s lives. We look forward to seeing the outcome of this initiative in the near future,” said Sanjay Murdeshwar, Country President, Novartis India.

Biome aims to scale up, complement and enhance the progress made by startups and health innovators in India.