The Role of GCCs in Healthcare Innovation

As healthcare continues to evolve, GCCs are poised to be at the forefront of developing and implementing the technologies and processes that will shape the future of patient care.

At MachineCon 2024, hosted by AIM Media House, a panel of leaders from major healthcare Global Capability Centers (GCCs) gathered to discuss innovation in the industry. The distinguished panel included Rajesh Puneyani, VP Technology & Site Leader at Kenvue GCC; Prasanna Kumar Subbanna, VP of Global Safety at Novo Nordisk; Pawan Sachdeva, Managing Director of Technology at Carelon Global Solutions India; and Raja Jamalamadaka, Managing Director at Roche Information Solutions.

The panel discussion began with an exploration of how GCCs are uniquely positioned to drive innovation in healthcare. Over the years, India’s GCCs have developed strong engineering and domain knowledge skills, creating a talent pool that can drive innovative solutions. This expertise, combined with India’s thriving startup ecosystem, is enabling more rapid and cost-effective innovation.

One panelist illustrated this point with an anecdote about a hypothetical pizza ordering system that integrates health data. This futuristic scenario demonstrated how interconnected systems could indirectly or directly impact health management, showcasing the potential for innovation in everyday interactions.

The discussion then turned to the maturity of healthcare GCCs compared to those in other sectors. While GCCs in areas like banking and finance are more established in terms of innovation, healthcare GCCs are rapidly catching up. The panel predicted that over the next 5-7 years, healthcare GCCs will likely be fully integrated across the entire drug discovery and development value chain, from early-stage research to market delivery.

A significant portion of the conversation focused on the different types of healthcare innovation. The panel outlined three main categories: incremental, adjacent, and disruptive. To illustrate these concepts, they used the example of diabetes management technologies.

Incremental innovation was described as small improvements to existing solutions, such as transitioning from finger-prick glucose testing to a non-invasive smartwatch that provides similar readings. This type of innovation can often be developed within a company’s own innovation teams and requires minimal external collaboration.

Adjacent innovation builds on existing capabilities but takes a significant step forward. The example given was an insulin pump that not only measures glucose levels but also administers insulin automatically. This level of innovation requires collaboration with a broader ecosystem of partners, including payers, research institutions, and various technology providers.

Disruptive innovation represents a complete paradigm shift. The panel described a hypothetical continuous glucose monitoring system that’s fully integrated into the body, automatically checking glucose levels and administering insulin without any user intervention. Such groundbreaking innovations demand an extensive network of collaborators, including startups, academia, government support, and numerous other stakeholders.

The discussion then shifted to the challenge of balancing innovation with cost management. Contrary to the notion that innovation is a cost center, the panelists argued that innovation is essential for managing costs long-term. They explained that without innovation, product prices tend to decrease over time while internal costs remain static, leading to shrinking margins. GCCs play a vital role in this balance, enabling cost-effective innovation through their unique positioning and capabilities.

The panel emphasized the need for disciplined R&D spending focused on high-impact priorities. They suggested three key strategies for efficient innovation: leveraging GCCs for cost-effective development, implementing strong KPIs to measure value, and cultivating the discipline to say no to less promising ideas. One panelist noted that it’s easy to say yes to every fancy-sounding innovation, but the real skill lies in identifying and pursuing only the most promising opportunities.

Enhancing patient care emerged as a central theme of the discussion, highlighted as the ultimate goal of healthcare innovation. The panelists provided examples of how technologies like wearables and AI algorithms are enabling more personalized and data-driven care. For instance, they described how continuous glucose monitoring combined with AI-driven insulin pumps can dramatically improve diabetes management.

However, the panel also stressed the importance of navigating regulatory, data privacy, and ethical challenges when implementing new technologies. They shared experiences of promising innovations that couldn’t be implemented due to data security concerns or privacy issues, particularly in the context of rare diseases where small patient populations make anonymity challenging.

Looking to the future, the discussion outlined several key trends in healthcare innovation:

  • Increased personalization of treatments based on individual genetic profiles, allowing for more effective and targeted therapies.
  • Greater focus on preventive and predictive care, using data and AI to identify potential health issues before they become serious.
  • Technologies enabling care delivery with minimal healthcare professional involvement, improving access to care and reducing costs.
  • Holistic approaches to healthcare, considering physical, mental, and social factors in treatment plans.

The panel concluded by emphasizing the “5 Ps” they see as central to the future of healthcare:

  • Preventive: Focusing on maintaining health rather than treating illness.
  • Predictive: Using data and AI to anticipate health issues.
  • Personalized: Tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles and lifestyle factors.
  • Peace of mind: Ensuring patients feel supported and cared for throughout their health journey.
  • Point of care: Bringing healthcare closer to patients through technology and community-based solutions.

Throughout the discussion, the panelists stressed that GCCs will play a pivotal role in developing innovations across these dimensions. They highlighted the unique position of GCCs to leverage global expertise while tapping into local talent and ecosystems.

The panel also touched on the importance of collaboration in driving innovation. They noted that while GCCs may compete in the business world, there’s significant value in sharing best practices and co-creating solutions. This collaborative approach, combined with engagement with academia and the startup ecosystem, is seen as crucial for tackling the complex challenges in healthcare innovation.

In conclusion, this insightful discussion at MachineCon 2024 highlighted the critical role of GCCs in driving healthcare innovation and improving patient outcomes globally. As healthcare continues to evolve, GCCs are poised to be at the forefront of developing and implementing the technologies and processes that will shape the future of patient care.

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