Heroes Game ChanGer The Covid Global - Forbes India
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JULY, 2021
Game Changer
The Covid Global
Heroes
Rakesh Kumar Deepak Amin Aviral Saini
CEO & Executive Director Promoter, Managing Director CFO & Executive Director
Light Microfinance Light Microfinance Light Microfinance
Overview CONTENT
T
he pandemic has turned the world Rakesh Kumar, CEO & Executive Director, Light Microfinance.................03
upside down. It has taken lives Deepak Amin
and jobs, damaged the industries, Promoter, Managing Director, Light Microfinance..................................................03
and turned unimaginable into reality. It
Aviral Saini
has affected millions of people across
CFO & Executive Director, Light Microfinance..........................................................03
the world. The pandemic has united
the medical community of the world Abhishek Sharma, CEO, Foundation Holding....................................................06
in an unprecedented way. The doctors
Ashok Goyal, Founder & CEO, Tirupati Group...................................................07
are working 24*7 and making sure that
their patients are recovering. They have Dr. Amandeep Kaur
adopted new-age technologies in the Director, Amandeep Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. (AHPL)..................................................08
hospital to monitor their patients and
staff. Over the last year, the doctor-
Dr. Deepak Birewar
patient relationship has evolved Chairman & Managing, Inventys Research Company...........................................09
manifolds. They have realized that it is Dr. Dheeraj Nagore
not always necessary to call patients to CEO & Founder, Mprex Healthcare Pvt Ltd.................................................................10
the hospital. They can follow up with
their patients on video calls. Dr. M. Kuppusamy
Founder & Managing Director, Tergene Biotech Pvt. Ltd...................................... 11
While the government is taking necessary
steps to curb the ongoing pandemic, Dr. Rampapa Rao Ambati
some organizations have come forward Chairman, PACCS HEALTH CARE PVT LTD.................................................................12
to help the people find the supplies they
Dr. Rajnish Bharti - Ph.D
need like oxygen, cylinders, medicines,
General Manager, Promega Biotech India Pvt Ltd....................................................13
and more. Different organizations are
contributing to society differently. In Felix Paul Joe
this issue, we will look at how frontline CEO & Director, GeneX India Bioscience Pvt Ltd.....................................................14
workers and organizations are working
Liberatha Kallat
together to overcome the challenges of
Founder & MD, DreamFolks Services Pvt Ltd............................................................ 15
COVID-19.
Malavika Sacchdeva
Michael Collura
President and CEO, Bowes In Home Care.................................................................... 16
Michael Collura
Marketed By President and CEO, In Home Personal Services........................................................17
Nathan J. Degodt
CEO, Community Healthcare Accreditation Partner.............................................. 18
Navneet Trehan, CEO, Genaxy Scientific Pvt. Ltd........................................... 19
Plot No. 4 Laxmi Garden, Rishabh Goel, Co-Founder & CEO, Credgenics.................................................20
Kirti Nagar, New Delhi- 110015
Email: info@digitechview.com
Sricharan Devineni, Executive Director, Tenet Diagnostics.......................21
Website: www.digitechview.com Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Droom Technologies.....................22
Mobile: +91 8130967640
SANJAY SHAH,
Chairman & Managing Director, Sakar Healthcare Ltd......................................... 24
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in
this supplement are not endorsed by Network 18
Media and Investments Limited. This is a marketing
Vikas Chadha, MD, GI Outsourcing.......................................................................... 26
initiative and Forbes India journalists were not
involved in producing this supplement. Vikas Agarwal, Director, Sisco Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd...............27
2 FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021
Light Microfinance: Transforming the
Lives of Low-Income Households in India
M
icrofinance has played an
important role in promoting the
economic growth of low-income
borrowers by creating access to
credit for their microbusinesses. The industry
is creating opportunities and transforming the
lives of millions of people by providing loans
that were previously beyond their reach. In
India, banks, NBFC-MFIs, NBFCs, SFBs, and
not-for-profit MFIs engage in microlending.
Among these, NBFC-MFIs hold 32% or the
second-largest share of the loan portfolio.
One of the fastest-growing microfinance
companies in India with the best asset quality
is Light Microfinance (Light), a privately held
NBFC-MFI registered with the Reserve Bank
of India; the company operates 132 branches
across 68 districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana. It caters to
more than 220k borrowers and employs over
1400 people.
Currently, the company offers debt capital,
ranging from 50k to 75k to its borrowers, to
further their businesses and enhance their
household incomes, while securing their cash
flows during times of distress through apt
insurance products. It also enables its borrowers
to participate in the digital transformation at
the rural level through smartphone financing
and digitized operations. Rakesh Kumar Deepak Amin Aviral Saini
41 Financial Institutions, including 16 CEO & Executive Director Promoter, Managing Director CFO & Executive Director
Banks, have partnered with Light to enable
unhindered growth. The company is backed Explorer browser and was the lead engineer microfinance to Bihar at scale. He then went on
by three leading European Impact Investors in for Microsoft Windows Networking. He to expand SKS operations across 7 North Indian
Triple Jump, Incofin, and Nordic Microfinance cofounded Covelix, Inc, the US and India-based states, and played a key role in its rapid growth
Initiative. They have invested close to INR 73 international software consulting company, by building a borrower base of over 150,000 and
crores in the company to support growth and that provides services to global enterprise a robust portfolio of over INR 100 crores.
technology investments. technology companies. Putting his immense He brings invaluable field experience in
As consumers evolve at the bottom of experience with technology to worthy effect, setting up microfinance operations from the
the pyramid, more cash-flow driven and he serves on the Technology Advisory Council ground up and scaling it across geographies.
customer-centric products are becoming the of Grameen Foundation for Microfinance, He is focused on making Light a large
need of the hour. Light Microfinance aims to USA, working to uplift the underprivileged by successful organization by developing teams,
provide the most relevant, reliable, affordable, providing access to finance and technology. installing systems, and setting complete work
and convenient solutions. It has identified the Deepak is working as an Independent processes. Aviral Saini is Co-Founder & CFO
next set of products and started investing in Director on the board of SBI Life Insurance at Light.
technology to enrich the customer experience. Ltd. He is also the Chairman of the Technology He has brought focus on process
Committee of the board and a member of the optimization, innovation, and risk
The Core Team Audit Committee and the Risk Management management. He has developed and
Deepak Amin founded Light Microfinance in Committee of the board. He also served as an implemented first-inindustry initiatives such
2009 to leverage his experience and expertise in Independent Director on the Board of State as digitization of the entire operations onto an
technology and deliver reliable and affordable Bank of India (SBI). indigenously designed customizable mobile
financial services to the large unbanked Rakesh Kumar, Co-Founder, & CEO, platform, and independent tech-enabled credit
segment in India. He started his career at Light Microfinance, started his career with model. With an eye for future trends, Aviral
Microsoft USA, where he was instrumental Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (erstwhile identifies new growth and financial strategies
in the development of the original Internet SKS Microfinance) with a mission to bring to establish Light’s leadership in the industry.
FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021 3
Light Microfinance, with an assiduously put awaited clarity to all stakeholders putting the The onset of the Covid pandemic brought
together passionate and capable management industry back on to growth path. sudden and cataclysmic change across the
team, is led by a highly professional and stellar In 2016, the country witnessed industries and economies. The pandemic
Board of Directors bringing vast experience demonetization. It was the first pan-India compelled individuals and entities to think
from banking, compliance, governance, risk disruption of microfinance operations and only about survival. The leaders with the
management, technology, and microfinance. induced significant stress in portfolios across most conservative approaches towards
geographies. With a balance sheet of risk management were astonished by this
Resilience Redefined INR 100 Cr, Light was precariously placed unprecedented event.
The rapidly growing microfinance industry and despite taking over a year to consolidate Aviral Saini, CFO at Light says, “COVID-19
has its unique challenges such as lack of and stabilize, came out much stronger with new presented a unique disruption of field
formal credit history, absence of collateral, technology enabled enhanced underwriting, operations while also creating severe stress on
lack of developed infrastructure in the areas sourcing, and collection processes. liquidity for the industry as a whole. However,
of operations, lower literacy and awareness When the IL&FS scandal hit the supply we focused on developing a technology-led
levels in employees and customers, and some side severely in 2018, it resulted in a liquidity Business Continuity Plan, with the idea of
of the strictest compliances put forth by RBI. crisis for all NBFCs. Light again came out identifying and prioritizing the list of activities
According to the Microfinance Institution stronger, doubling its loan portfolio in the and putting them into action, including,
Network (MFIN) report, the industry has year. It managed its liquidity extremely well, preserving the relations with borrowers,
grown 4x from INR 609 Bn in Mar `13 to INR leveraged on its lender relationships, and lenders, and investors without compromising
2,593 Bn in Mar `21. Outreach has increased even drove an industry-level securitization the safety of the borrowers and employees.
by 3.5x to 59 Mn customers. However, the transaction to enable smaller MFIs to gain This exemplifies our philosophy of focusing
demand is estimated to be more than INR some liquidity. on the fundamentals of business and aligning
8,000 Bn. The portfolio at risk (PAR) has been the right set of actions to infuse confidence
on an upward trend since June 2020. The among internal and external stakeholders. This
Andhra Pradesh crisis took place in the second ensures not just surviving the crisis but even
half of 2010, leading to a downturn due to the creates the opportunity to come out on top.”
alleged malpractices by some MFIs. The sector Calmness across the ranks, Light engaged with lenders and investors
had to deal with rising delinquency ratios putting the identified priorities intensively with regular transparent updates
and recovery rates that fell from 99% to 10% into action and engaging the and engaged with borrowers humanely. This
in some states, leading to huge stress on the helped Light gain industry transcending
stakeholders appropriately
functioning of MFIs. This led to the first set of performance, with one of the best portfolio
dedicated operational guidelines from the RBI ensured Light came with qualities (NPAs at less than 1/6th that of
based on the Malegam Committee report in industry-leading performance industry) and a 30% growth in its asset size in
2011. The recommendations brought much- during this global pandemic. one of the most turbulent times of the industry.
4 FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021
PORTFOLIO AT RISK as on Mar '21
30.0% Total PAR 30+ DPD 90+ DPD
25.4%
25.0% 23.4%
20.9%
18.9% 18.9% 19.5%
20.0%
17.3% 16.9% 16.4%
14.8% 15.5% 15.2%
15.0%
12.8% 12.1%
10.3% 10.6%
10.0% 9.2% 8.7%
5.0%
2.6%
1.6%
0.8%
0.0%
LIGHT M NBFC-MFIs SFBs Banks NBFCs Rest of Industry Total Industry
Source: Equifax
Across all these major crises, the Light Speaking about creative thinking, Deepak empower them to make informed decisions.
leadership team was focused on maintaining says, “Innovation is a core value at Light. It Key suggestions include: a) replacing pricing
calm across ranks and transparently is encouraged at every level and is embraced cap with risk-based pricing of loan, b) removal
engaging all stakeholders while ensuring with openness. Light is a performance- of Margin Cap of 10%, c) replacing two
employee morale, customer connections, oriented and data-driven organization. NBFC-MFI lenders and maximum household
tight liquidity management, and product The teams are encouraged to challenge the income of INR 1.25L with cash-flow-based
and process innovation. status quo-think about how the company assessment and capping of total EMIs, and d)
can do better; how can our customers be removal of up to 50% of loans for nonincome
Innovative, Driven, served better faster, at a lower cost; how generating purposes.
Grounded can a process be made faster; how can we Microfinance customers will benefit
The leadership team at Light Microfinance eliminate manual processes; how fraud greatly from the proposed changes as their
strongly believes in creating a successful detection can happen; and how analytics and consumption-related financial needs will be
organization by building an efficient and capable AI can be used on the gigabytes of data that met by MFIs at lower rates. This will lead to
team grounded in reality and empathy. The resides with the company. Any idea enabling the introduction of new relevant products for
management team at Light consists of diverse, the organization to meet its goal, strategic customers, better credit underwriting, and
passionate, and high-integrity people, who are or tactical, is discussed with an open mind. also enable microfinance operators to absorb
some of the most qualified and accomplished Each management stakeholder participates additional expenses for risk management.
professionals in their fields. They together bring in the process while bringing inputs from her Increased earnings and stricter underwriting
over 150+ years of experience with a clear focus team. Once identified as a goal, a periodic will result in appropriate technology spreading
on execution to deliver on Light’s vision to review mechanism further ensures the focus out to more remote locations. “Light is the
become the leading microfinance products and is maintained and teams constantly strive to only MFI that conducts rigorous cash-flow-
services company in India. innovate to ensure delivery on the promise.” based assessment of all its borrowers through
“For us, our employees and customers an independent credit team and is beautifully
have been the focus of every decision. Happy Digitized Future placed vis-à-vis the proposed guidelines. This
employees and customers make a good Speaking about the future, Rakesh says, gives us a good head start of a couple of years.
business. We work with like-minded growth “The Future holds a lot of opportunities With socio-economic and cash flow data from
partners (lenders and investors). They have for us to become the most valued financial over 400,000 households, our investments
always supported our decision-making service provider by reaching out to more in AI-driven customer engagement and risk
process. Each decision is taken based on underserved sections of society, covering assessment interventions will ensure we fulfill
rigorous data analysis with participation from more geographical regions, providing more our vision of becoming the most preferred
every management team member that ensures tech-enabled flexible financial services, and financial service provider for the underserved,”
accountability and enables innovation. The diversifying the business in other areas. In asserts Rakesh.
decision is transparently communicated to all this tech-savvy world, we plan to launch Rakesh Kumar advises the young
stakeholders, thus, aligning everyone to one our venture in the world of fintech that uses generation, “Change does not come without
goal. Once agreed and aligned, the team will technology to enhance or automate financial struggle. It is the struggles that shape the
move mountains to reach their goal and, in their services, and processes. To support the growth character of a great movement. If you have set
pursuit, trigger innovations which enhance our and vision of the company, another significant out to create a great organization, be assured
delivery for future,” explains Deepak Amin, MD equity investment plan is underway.” that you will face significant hurdles. These
at Light. For their professional, transparent, Recently, RBI has proposed a framework will be the moments you stand your ground,
and innovative qualities, Light team members for harmonizing the microfinance guidelines hold onto your conviction, and push forward.
find good standing in the industry and across various entities. The aim of the new Specifically for financial services, focus on
regularly share inputs and learnings to improve framework is to protect the microfinance credit, collection, costs, and liquidity while
the industry overall. borrowers from over-indebtedness and always keeping the customer at the centre.”
FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021 5
Foundation Holdings, a Leading
Investment Firm, Transforms Businesses
through Growth Strategies
They use four key pillars to measure social installments—without incurring any extra
impact: cost. These measures remain in place today
1. Increased access to healthcare and/or as we continue our work towards sustainable
education, education,” he asserts.
2. Improved quality of healthcare and/or Abhishek takes his responsibility very
education, seriously. He says, “It’s incumbent upon
3. Improved affordability of healthcare and/ investors like us to provide our businesses with
or education, and all of the mental, physical, and financial support
4. Strengthened human capital. they need to deliver their critical functions in
Foundation believes in driving change that society day in and day out.”
creates a more prosperous future by finding For him, every day is a new challenge,
innovative solutions—reflected by USD 130 whether it’s finance, operational or strategic
million worth of private investments impacting planning. Foundation's best practice to deal
3.5 Mn lives and creating 5,000 jobs in the last with these obstacles is to place short-term
three years. targets that safeguard their portfolio. Later, the
company reviews actual performance against
About the Founder these short-term targets.
Abhishek Sharma serves as the Founder CEO Speaking about ensuring the health and
of Foundation Holdings, a strategic, global safety of the workforce, Abhishek says “We have
investment firm building sustainable, industry- provided quality health insurance, an annual
defining companies in the impactful healthcare wellness program, and measures to ensure a
and education sectors across India and the healthy work-life balance.” When the COVID
GCC countries. -19 pandemic hit, Foundation Holdings’ first
Abhishek has over 20 years of global step was to provide adequate awareness within
investment experience across the United States, the workforce. The company held periodic
GCC countries, and India. He serves on several (virtual) sessions to communicate safety
boards in India and the GCC countries, and guidelines and procedures, and updates from
is a member of the Healthcare and Education health authorities.
Steering Committee with the Indian Business
and Professional Council (IBPC). Decision-Making is an Art
Abhishek Sharma “Our senior leadership team includes Decision-making is a vital aspect of any
CEO, Foundation Holdings experienced operators who have delivered organization as it affects the lives of all the
outstanding results for the world’s largest stakeholders. It also has the potential to change
F
healthcare and education companies, bringing the course of the organization. Taking the
oundation Holdings is a healthcare immense knowledge and value to the company,” right decision at the right time can help an
and education investment firm. The says Abhishek. organization achieve its goal. Abhishek makes
company transforms businesses sure that he inspires people working for him.
in India and the Gulf Cooperation Education and the Pandemic This involves creating an environment where all
Council (GCC) countries into global champions During the pandemic, Foundation Holdings’ the employees truly believe in their work and
by enhancing human capital at its portfolio education ecosystem came together to support make customers feel valued, listened to, and
companies along with improving their service teachers, students, and parents both in terms cared for.
quality, growth trajectory, and brand equity. of delivering education and paying for it. Their The company has emphasized the
Improvements in quality that create genuine, Ryan EduNation schools offered discounts digitization of workflows to establish a more
positive social impact can only be achieved by to parents to ease the financial burden and cost-effective communication network. They
investing in teams driven by impact. Foundation ensured student continuity. “Our EdTech have also launched internal communication
Holdings exists to unleash the true potential of platform, Toppr, enabled Ryan Edunation to platforms and online real-time tools to
the human capital in these teams, thus advancing quickly adopt an online learning platform at effectively oversee projects and initiatives.
the interests of all stakeholders in the healthcare a large scale for its students. Our GrayQuest Today they are impacting over 3.5 million lives.
and education ecosystem with excellence, verticle, an innovative provider of student Abhishek says, “My family has always been
integrity, and tangible social impact. loan solutions, helped to further ease the there for me. The constant love and support they
The company’s objective is to deliver social, financial burden by enabling parents to pay have given me keeps me motivated and inspires
environmental impact and market rate returns. annual education fees in up to 12 monthly me to work harder for them every day.”
6 FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021
“We manufactured close to 400 Million
Vitamins & Supplement tablets and 57
thousand KL of Sanitizers to help share the
burden of COVI D relief,” says Ashok Goyal
Nutrition, Hygiene Solutions, Cosmetics, educate and sensitize the rural populations of
and Herbal. The exhaustive list of dosage the Covid-appropriate behavior. We partnered
forms includes Tablets, Oral Liquids, Oral with hospitals and nursing homes to offer our
Powder, Emulsions, Creams, Lotions, Gels, ambulance services to help get critical patients
and Aerosols (with/without Gas), etc. They much-needed medical attention at the earliest.
thrive on the philosophy of delivering “Health, While we tried to keep everyone safe, it was
Immunity and Hygiene” solutions to the masses heartening to see the workforce pool in their
at affordable costs, driven through innovation. energies in helping us manufacture and make
available products for Covid management. We
Providing Help During manufactured close to 400 million vitamins
the Pandemic and supplement tablets and 57,000 KL of
The COVID-19 pandemic is a one-in-a- sanitizers to help share the burden of Covid
century calamity that comes with a specific set relief,” he explains.
of challenges. The company followed a three- The dynamic nature of the challenges
pronged approach, that is resources, services, during Covid made it very difficult for Ashok
and network. Ashok says, “It was important to plan ahead of time. He indulged in a lot of
that the private players like us put in efforts to focused group discussions to listen to people
support the district and the state administration and offer emotional support. The hardships
in these trying times. We made necessary funds and challenges have helped develop a sense
available in the form of donations to Central, of empathy for people around him. He even
State, and District initiatives. Mass-sanitization conducted motivational training for all
tunnels were installed at key hospitals such as employees to keep their morale high.
PGI Chandigarh, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital,
Delhi, and various other public and private Taking Care of People
hospitals in Paonta Sahib. We made necessary For Ashok Goyal, Tirupati Parivar (employees)
arrangements to develop 50-bed Covid- is his foremost priority, which is followed by
isolation facilities for residents of Paonta Sahib. society and business. When the pandemic
Ashok Goyal We also offered technical support to ensure hit, his main focus was to ensure continuity
Founder & CEO, Tirupati Group efficient working of medical equipment like of employment. He made sure that the
A
ventilators & oxygen lines in the district.” most vulnerable class of the workforce was
shok Goyal is the Founder & CEO Ashok made sure that his company taken care of by ensuring a place to stay and
of Tirupati Group, one of the largest activated a network of Pharma associations uninterrupted food and supplement supply.
and fastest-growing Contract to ensure the supply of critical medicines “We have ensured regular sanitization
Development and Manufacturing and vaccines that were in short supply and of people, equipment, and vehicles by
Organization (CDMOs), providing end-toend were being required to treat and manage fumigators. We made necessary arrangements
solutions from research to product launch infected patients. to ensure social distancing within our plant by
with multiple manufacturing facilities. He is a He also rendered his best team to become a adjusting the timetable without disrupting the
first-generation entrepreneur and has grown part of the state think-tank that developed and plant operations.
the group to a buzzing 1100 crores empire. executed strategies for the state administration In our administrative blocks, we have taken
Known as a progressive leader with a vision, his to tackle the situation. This was critical in the steps to ensure Covid -appropriate behaviors.
inclusive and collaborative approach towards second wave when despite being one of the We installed sanitizers at all entrances. We
administration is admired by those who work highest oxygen producers itself, Himachal stretched the canteen timings to ensure social
closely with him. He is an innovative, proactive, Pradesh faced problems of shortage due to distancing,” he explains.
quick decision-maker, and disciplined, which supply-chain disruption. While the nation was in lockdown, Ashok
help him in identifying and developing “The cities had their challenges, but the ensured that his staff received regular supplies
businesses ahead of their time. Giving back to risk of infections rose multi-fold in the second of essential items such as groceries, medicines,
society is a key aspect of his persona. wave in the rural areas as well. We ensured and supplements. His company helped cover
Founded in 2005, the Tirupati and Pontika the proper spread of information through the expenses of medical treatment for their
Group is highly diversified, catering to a variety education by partnering with Gram-panchayats employees and their family members. They have
of broad segments like Pharmaceuticals, and block offices. We donated PPE kits, masks, also begun a vaccination drive for all employees
Clinical Nutrition, Sports Nutrition, General and sanitizers in the requisite quantities to and their families to ensure their safety.
FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021 7
Fighting for the
Greater Good
A revered medical professional,
Dr Amandeep Kaur approaches
healthcare with equal parts
compassion and dedication
A
pediatrician by profession, Dr. medical workers, who worked night
Amandeep Kaur is known for and day to perform lifesaving acts. We
her patient-centric approach. distributed face masks and hand sanitizers
Besides heading AHPL, she among the needy, apart from conducting
serves as the president of IMA, Association food distribution drives, all while keeping
of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI), and our own hospitals well-sanitized.
Association of National Board Accredited
Institutions (ANBAI), North Zone. What What do you do as a socially
corroborates her dexterity further is her responsible organization?
effective management of several hospitals As part of our corporate social responsibility
and outpatient departments (OPD) across initiatives, we held in-house trainings and
northern India. webinars. We also collaborated with the
Here is what Dr Amandeep has to say Amritsar Municipal Corporation and major
Dr Amandeep Kaur
Director, Amandeep Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. (AHPL)
about healthcare during the pandemic. corporate houses to hold “Nukkad Nataks”,
in order to generate mass awareness about
What was your role during COVID-19. Our initiatives, such as the What are the most
the pandemic? Smile Train (treating cleft lips surgically), important decisions
My family, my team and I have never turned the CATT Trust (sponsoring medication you have made for your
our backs on any patient, regardless of the and free treatment for needy patients), organization?
complications and challenges involved in NAARI (educating women about menstrual I love children, and my job as a pediatrician
their treatment. Take, for instance, the cases issues), and our first aid initiatives that involved catering to their health needs.
of two police officers (both frontline Covid started years ago, bear testimony to our More than a profession, pediatrics was
warriors) needing reimplantation and two social outreach. my passion, which I had to give up when
Covid -positive expectant mothers, all Our vision is to offer quality healthcare faced with the need to contribute towards
spurned by other hospitals due to the risks to people in need and Amandeep College of the hospital’s administration as our group
involved. We received them warmly and Nursing along with Amandeep Educational began to grow. Not only was the transition
treated them as per their needs. Services is another initiative of ours that tough, but also painful, as I was no longer
The Chest Clinic at Amandeep Hospital aims at producing expert operation theater able to meet the kids. I was called upon to
and the Amandeep COVID Care Centre technicians, laboratory technicians, and ensure a democratic environment to boost
are equipped with high-end infrastructure critical care. We have even launched the employee-patient relations in compliance
and the best consultants, medical officers Amandeep Cricket Academy for Women to with our vision and mission. For this,
and nursing staff to serve people in these empower women through sport. I pursued an online degree in hospital
unprecedented times. Norms to ensure and health management. I believe that
staff and patient safety, and initiatives to What helps you stay decision proved to be a turning point for
keep the staff well-motivated to do their motivated? my organization.
best for the service of the Covid -scarred The happy smiles that adorn the faces of my COVID-19 has been another big
humanity, are duly implemented. My patients at the time of their discharge make challenge to my leadership. Unlike various
team and I were fortunate to develop and me even more determined to lead from the organizations that laid their staff off, I
collaborate with the Government to launch heart. I believe in moving on no matter how made sure that no employee was sacked,
a care app to help COVID-19 patients. As tough the road ahead may seem. It’s my and divided them into 15-day-long shifts.
the president of IMA, Amritsar Chapter, I, never-say-die attitude towards life that has This was no cakewalk, but we learnt to
along with my team, organized awareness brought me this far in both my professional manage things with proper planning and
lectures for pulmonologists and critical and personal lives. The continuous support scheduling. However, the most important
care intensivists. of my dedicated team of doctors, nurses, decision that I made during this time was
We also organized sessions to appreciate and paramedics, as well as my family, is my to be the first to be immunized along with
the efforts of doctors, nurses, and other greatest inspiration at all times. my staff and family.
8 FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021
Inventys: Dependable Indian manufacturing
partner of global supply chains in
agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors
GMP standards. Known for ontime delivery, with excellent project management know-
innovative chemistry, best in-class engineering how, which is of vital importance for rapid
skills, and state-of-theart automated plants, implementation of process technology.
the company is today catering to clients in Our scientists and engineers are trained to
Western Europe, the USA, and Japan. work under pressure to focus efforts quickly
to develop the process and produce the
About Dr Deepak Birewar compound of interest,” says Dr Birewar.
Dr Deepak Birewar completed his Chemical
Engineering from IIT Mumbai and PhD The R&D team focuses on:
from Carnegie Mellon University, USA. He • Route evaluation and development
started his career with Dupont Corporation • Optimization of reaction condition
as a research scientist in the Central Research • Quality by process design
Department, Wilmington, DE, in USA. He • Green chemistry
then moved to the software industry to sharpen • Critical process parameter assessment
his skills in optimization algorithms and • Polymorph screening and salt selection
large-scale math programming techniques. • Analytical method development and more
Dr Birewar eventually rose to the level of vice
president at i2 Technologies, Dallas, USA. The company’s core value revolves
With close to three decades of vast experience around a passion for the science of chemicals
in various markets and industries, Dr Birewar manufacturing, providing cutting-edge
started Inventys Research Company, known solutions to their customers, and adhering
for its innovative products and strategies in the to ethical business practices. Inventys has
chemical manufacturing industry. always focused on building trust and ensuring
transparency to forge long-term relationships
Dr Deepak Birewar Research and Superior with their customers. “We are driven by
Chairman & Managing, Inventys Research Company
Process Engineering is the innovation, and we strive to continuously
I
Cornerstone of the Inventys improve our practices to be customer-centric.
nventys Research Company was growt h strategy It is our passion for excellence that keeps us
founded by Dr Deepak Birewar in 2005. Inventys offers tailored services based on going forward,” Dr Birewar states.
Inventys strives to provide dependable its competence in handling challenging
manufacturing services to the global chemistry and designing state-of-the-art Teamwork Improves
supply chains—especially in the Life automated plants for efficient manufacturing. Productivity
Sciences area. Inventys is now a well-reputed Inventys provides real-time monitoring The company believes in the combined efforts
provider of customized manufacturing along with advanced process control, which of each employee’s contribution. “At Inventys,
services for chemicals, APIs, AIs, agricultural greatly helps in reducing RM consumption, we follow fair and ethical codes of conduct,
intermediates, and advanced intermediates. minimizing off-quality products, and and we work as a team to achieve synergy
Initially, Inventys started its operations as minimizing the formation of by-products. and add value to what we do. Our team is
a custom manufacturing provider. Having Growing a product from laboratory stage to our biggest asset, and we learn, re-learn,
developed over 36 products that include MT-level production is a complex task and and upskill to stay ahead of competition. We
generic APIs and other specialty chemicals, one of our core strengths. We can absorb or motivate our employees by providing them
Inventys today boasts of their very own develop bench scale chemistry. Scale it up to with new opportunities to grow and learn.
product catalog, which they have developed Kilo Scale safely and efficiently. Inventys can I believe that if you love what you do, you
over the past three years. also build a pilot facility if appropriate (or can achieve more, both professionally and
Inventys operates five automated pilot your molecule using our multipurpose personally,” he asserts.
multipurpose plants with 15 sections. These pilot plant) and then manufacture using Inventys skill to breathe innovation into
versatile multipurpose plants can handle a dedicated facility or a shared facility their products sets them apart from their
various reactions including continuous gas/ (depending on the scale of requirement and competitors. The company provides innovative
liquid phase reactions, fixed-bed continuous type of chemistry involved). technology with unique and unrivaled
reaction, high-temperature catalytic reactions, “We develop processes based on our own chemistry by investing heavily in technology
high-pressure hydrogenation, Cyanation at a know-how or optimize existing processes for and science. Their goal is to minimize their
large scale, etc. They provide state-of-theart full commercial production. Our expertise dependency on China by offering at an
competence in process R&D, small to medium lies in good science, expert evaluation skills, affordable price, while generating more job
scale manufacturing conforming to ISO and a frugal and innovative mindset combined opportunities in India.
FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021 9
Dr Dheeraj Nagore, a visionary leader
behind prospering Mprex Healthcare Pvt Ltd:
Contributing service to mankind in Covid-19
pandemic through clinical research
D
r Dheeraj Nagore is the Founder and more than 5,000 COVID -19 participants over
CEO of Mprex Healthcare, a leading different clinical trials since June 2020. They
Asian contract research organization have successfully completed clinical trials of
that provides advanced clinical nutraceuticals, Ayurveda, homeopathy, and
research solutions and consultation through ozone therapy-based interventions which
a broad suite of expert capabilities across provided hope to the medical fraternity and
every field of therapeutics. Mprex Healthcare patients when there were very few therapeutic
provides the full range of clinical trial services drugs working for Covid 19.
to the herbal, nutraceutical, biopharmaceutical, “We had the privilege to give back to society
medical device, and diagnostic apparatus, for through hope, light, and positivity to pilot
all trial phases, registration, and post-marketing through this pandemic. Though the journey
trials. Dr. Dheeraj has expertise in the field of was not easy; the pandemic tested scientists,
product development, regulations, research, leaders, entrepreneurs, and humans in the
clinical trials, safety studies, manufacturing, Mprex team,” he adds.
packaging & designing, marketing, patent, and During the pandemic, they faced many
medical writing. challenges such as country/state lockdowns,
He has many awards to his credit like Best sites being taken over for COVID-19 related
Scientist of India, Young Researcher National care, interruptions to the supply chain for
Awards, Outstanding Researcher Award, and the investigational product, and more. To
was named Top 25 Researchers of India. He overcome these challenges, they came up with
has trained more than 60 scientists who are a solution where they divided the team into
now working with renowned pharmaceutical two groups: one was given the responsibility to
companies. Within a short period of time, go to COVID-19 hospital and the other team
he has developed more than 100 unique was sent to the CRO office for data filing. The
pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals, ayurvedic, Dr. Dheeraj Nagore team used CDM software to acquire the data
and herbal products, and 500 methods for CEO & Founder, Mprex Healthcare Pvt Ltd. from COVID -19 hospital to CRO. “We had a
authentication, identification, and quality Dr Dheeraj traverses effortlessly from day-to-day follow-up system which avoided
assessment of medicinal plants. Today, he the ancient knowledge of medicine to the data loss due to the pandemic. We provided
has more than 100 international research ultramodern technology-based sciences. the development of a proper informed consent
publications and many patents to his credit. He bridges the gap between the known and form with clarity on risk and benefits to the
As an Innovative Product Researcher, he has the unidentified technologies and unfolding patient. And, we successfully completed the six
found many proven solutions for various lifestyle primordial science to explore and experience clinical trials in Traditional Herbal Medicine
diseases and holds unique products and design the novel dimensions of the medicinal world. for the treatment of COVID-19,” he says.
patents. He has also been invited as a speaker Dr Dheeraj shares, Principles of process
for many international conferences in France, optimization sailed us through the tough
Dublin, Ireland, Dubai, China, UK, etc. Currently, Overcoming Challenges time where they when operating in a dynamic
he is connected as Director on the boards of during COVID -19 scenario with a fairly static process flow to follow.
many national and international companies In March 2020, we all were suddenly struck The utilization of AI and Digital platforms from
like MB Group of Industries, Education and hard by the COVID -19 pandemic. There was reporting, quality control, quality assurance,
Research, Aayush Healthcare, and Education sheer confusion, uncertainty, and great fear and clinical trial management helped us a lot.”
Trust (RMBSS), etc. He is also socially active and everywhere. The whole world got locked down. Dr Dheeraj ingenious enough to design and
working as President at Mprex Foundation and However, Mprex soon realized that their clients develop a Centralized Decision System (CDS)
Education Trust (RMBSS). Both his NGOs are and society need their services. “We at the for clinical trial management which enabled
working in the education and health sector. management level decided to be operational. them to take timely decisions over ever-evolving
Dr Dheeraj developed the concept Still being apprehensive we confronted the situations and salvaging the damaged processes.
and technology called Concentric Quality situation and became functional from May 2020. As a part of this Mprex implemented end-to-end
Intelligence (CQI). It is used to predict We were one of the very few CROs in India quality control "Concentric Quality Intelligence"
the problems and solutions of any sort of who started conducting clinical trials when (CQI), where the quality assurance department
business related to research and quality. This there were so many uncertainties and hesitancy was in command aggressively controlling
concept helps in planning for start-ups till using innovative products and approaches in the damages to keep processes on timelines.
the implementation of any kind of products, Covid treatment protocol,” Dr Dheeraj says. He adds to the conversation, “Team Mprex
services, market analysis, and financial Mprex Healthcare completed more than is now more strong, united, and focused to
forecasting. Its features range from R&D to 15 clinical trials for nutraceutical and herbal provide the best of services to their clients and
quality control of products and services. drugs for Covid management. They screened all stakeholders in the healthcare industry.”
10 FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021Tergene Biotech is Developing an
indigenous Asia-specific, affordable
15 valent Pneumococcal Conjugate
Vaccine (Pneuteger 15®)
P
hase I & II Human Clinical antigens in one vaccine and are conjugated
Trials completed. Phase III in to a highly immunogenic carrier protein,
1,130 infants across India is CRM197. There are more than 700 quality
underway. control tests being conducted on every
Tergene Biotech Pvt Ltd (a subsidiary batch of the vaccine. The entire technology
of Aurobindo Pharma Ltd) was founded platform was developed in-house by
by Dr M. Kuppusamy and Mr Sathyan Tergene,” says Dr M. Kuppusamy.
Kuppusamy in 2008 with a vision to Pneuteger 15® has been evaluated
develop lifesaving vaccines against in 166 subjects in Phase I and Phase II
Pneumonia—the single largest infectious clinical trials, with encouraging safety
cause of death in children worldwide. and immunogenicity results. The vaccine
Dr M. Kuppusamy is a scientist turned will be evaluated in 1,130 infants in Phase
entrepreneur, who has worked in the field III clinical trials across India for safety,
of vaccines and biotherapeutics for over immunogenicity, and efficacy.
four decades. He started his journey with “We are adapting to changes in our
the renowned Pasteur Institute of India work environments and in our daily lives, as
(Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the COVID-19 pandemic continues. These
GOI) and also served as a scientist measures have allowed us to keep working
for Indian Council for Medical as we remain prudent and vigilant. Every
Research (ICMR). day we thrive to learn our way of working
Today, the vaccine discovery company, to address the unprecedented challenges
after a decade of research in developing a posed by the pandemic. Our team did not
15 valent Pneumonia vaccine, is entering take any break during the first Covid wave
Phase III clinical validation. With funding in 2020 as well as in the current Covid
support from BIRAC, a public sector scenario. Our manufacturing plant is up
enterprise set up by the Department of and running producing clinical lots. Our
Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Tergene quality control lab and R&D activities are
Dr. M. Kuppusamy is under mission mode to complete the continuously under operation even during
Founder & Managing Director pivotal clinical study and launch the these testing times. This is all thanks to
Tergene Biotech Pvt Ltd vaccine in 2022. Once the vaccine gets the commitment shown by our dedicated
approved, it will be supplied to the Nation’s and resilient team who are taking all the
Universal Immunization Programme necessary precautionary measures in
(UIP). The vaccine will prevent infant protecting themselves, their families and
Our manufacturing plant (Bio- deaths and hospitalizations due to colleagues,” he explains.
safety level 2 containment Pneumococcal Pneumonia.
facility) has the capacity to Pneuteger 15® can protect against 15 Role of PCV in Covid-19
serotypes of Streptococcus Pneumoniae. Some observational and non-systemic
produce 100 million doses
Based on seroprevalence data, these 15 studies reveal that adults with prior PCV
of Pneumococcal Conjugate serotypes are the cause for 80% of the immunization were associated with a
Vaccine (PCV ) per annum. Pneumococcal disease burden in India. lower incidence of COVID-19 diagnosis,
The production process is so This vaccine aims to give broader coverage hospitalization, and fatality. According to
complex for this vaccine as and maximum protection. the hypothesis, protection arose from the
there are 15 antigens in one “Our manufacturing plant (Biosafety prevention of early stages of COVID-19
level 2 containment facility) has the pathogenesis rather than prevention of
vaccine and are conjugated to capacity to produce 100 million doses of severe post-infection sequelae, which
a highly immunogenic carrier Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) would have led to higher effectiveness
protein, CRM197. per annum. The production process is so estimates against hospitalization
complex for this vaccine as there are 15 and death.
FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021 11Taking PACCS to the next level:
From Anaesthesia practice to a
conglomerate of varied companies
E
stablished in 1997, PACCS postacute management of diseases, and to
HEALTHCARE was started by a reduce post-hospitalization complications,"
team of medical professionals with says Dr Ambati Rampapa Rao, Managing
specialization and experience in Director, PACCS Healthcare.
anaesthesia and intensive care. They provide “Our units have in-patient facilities
anaesthetic and intensive care services to that are equipped to ensure ventilatory
hospitals. Their aim is to improve the post- support and oxygen supplies for patients
surgical outcomes, ensure absolute safety having severe pulmonary problems in post-
and reduce morbidity in the peri-operative Covid phase. We have structured ourselves
phase (in relation to surgical procedures to take the patients through the entire
in hospitals). Their practice started in regime of rehabilitative processes at about
1997 by associating with two specialty 25-30% of the cost of a hospital bed. We
branches of oncology and obstetrics. By have well-documented systems to measure
2020, it spread across to every known sub- risk-stratified outcomes of patients in the
specialty of anaesthesia practice including rehabilitation phase. So far our experience
Renal, Gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, has been encouraging as these rehabilitative
orthopaedics, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, regimes are helping the majority of patients
minimally invasive surgical procedures to to recover in a short time,” he adds.
robotics surgery. Retaining the staff was the biggest
The number of post-surgical ICU beds challenge the company faced during the
under the managed care of PACCS swelled pandemic as most of the staff were skeptical
from six in 1997 to about 104 by 2019. The and apprehensive of the possibility of
practice of critical care medicine is extended acquiring infection themselves. “We actually
to Medical ICUs too. had hired staff for our second unit which
PACCS has identified few gaps in the we had to close down due to the lockdown.
existing healthcare infrastructure and So, we had a surplus of staff at our unit 1,
ecosystem. It has discerned the lack of but to retain them was a challenge,” he says.
perihospital care in the healthcare system Since it is a 24/7 care facility the staff work
in India. This gap is leading to inadequate Dr Rampapa Rao Ambati in three shifts, and organizing transport for
monitoring of patient populations in the post- Chairman, PACCS HEALTHCARE PVT LTD staff was another challenge. They had to
hospital discharge period exposing them to a take permission from the police and various
high risk of morbidity. This is more relevant a common medical record with progression health authorities to commute to and from
in acute medical conditions like heart failure, scales and for data management. It is an work. The company also had to ensure that
neurological strokes, neurotrauma, etc. The internet, cloud & web-based technology the staff was following Covid protocols and
rehabilitation programs are essential for platform. In the last two years, PACCS wearing PPE kits.
these categories. Hence, In the year 2018, diversified into the gaming and advertising “We had a strict rule to not allow visitors
the management and shareholders of PACCS sectors by creating three other wholly-owned to meet the patients during covid-surge
have decided to initiate a new activity to subsidiary companies namely VoidPeak times to prevent transmission of infection.
provide transitional, tehabilitative medical, games (video game design, development, and Fortunately, we came out of the two waves
and support care services to needy patients. production company), Marks & Methods very well with not a single patient turning
These services are provided under the brand (branding and marketing), and Eitri Studio, freshly positive for covid in the facility and
name “Ucchvas”. PACCS decided to establish (game art asset creation company). without any impact in terms of recovery,”
‘Ucchvas’ to fill the gap in the spectrum of “During the pandemic, we witnessed he asserts.
holistic care. Ucchvas focuses on treating various neurological conditions including The company plans to expand its
patients who need to recoup after a complex strokes in patients infected with the business across the country. They have
medical condition with individualized care. coronavirus. Many patients were admitted standardized protocols of physical therapy
PACCS has not only expanded its to our rehab units. The prolonged stay of regimes in various specialties, including
services in transitional care, rehabilitation, critical Covid patients in the hospital ICUs neurology and neurosurgical patients. They
and anaesthesia but also embarked on resulted in critical illnesses associated with are compiling the clinical data of patients,
creating a digital platform in the physical neuro-myopathies that required 6-8 weeks of and after correlating and analysing the
rehabilitation space to facilitate seamless the rehabilitation process. At our center, we outcomes, will be able to share the reports in
connectivity among all stakeholders, share aim for faster recovery of patients, post-acute the coming year.
12 FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021Promega: a Covid warrior
in the fight against COVID-19
P
romega is a global leader in Promega also worked to support
providing innovative solutions customers during these difficult times,
and technical support to life keeping them up to date on their latest
scientists in academic, industrial, offerings. The company conducted various
and government settings. The company has a webinars, virtual events, and social media
portfolio of more than 4,000 products covering campaigns to reach customers in new ways.
the fields of genomics, protein analysis and Promega developed Virtual Instrument apps
expression, cellular analysis, drug discovery, to remotely demonstrate various instruments
and genetic identity. Promega Biotech India like GloMax, Maxwell & Spectrum.
Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Promega Corporation, Products for COVID-19 response
became fully operational on 1 August , 2014. make up a small fraction of the company’s
Located in New Delhi, India, the branch overall portfolio. Despite the challenges
provides customers with industry-leading of the pandemic, Promega continued to
services, support, and rapid access to products provide customers innovative products like
and technologies. microsatellite instability (MSI) technology to
Promega is a core supplier in the fight help investigate the best treatment path for
against COVID-19. The company supports cancer, NanoBRET™ TE Intracellular Kinase
scientists working around the world to Assay for drug discovery and development,
understand the molecular mechanisms by which and STR chemistry for leading forensic labs
emerging viruses infect humans and animals, in India.
and to develop accurate detection methods.
The company is committed to supporting Promega’s Initiatives
scientists’ efforts and continues to increase the Dr Rajnish Bharti - Ph.D In April 2021, India was going through a severe
production of COVID-19-related reagents and General Manager, Promega Biotech India Pvt Ltd oxygen supply crisis. Dozens of hospitals in the
instruments in response to the unprecedented cities were running short of oxygen. During
global demand. Promega components support shift. Today, we are catering to customers from these times, Promega India came forward
approximately 30 COVID-19 test kits around Life Sciences, Diagnostics, Genetic Identity and partnered with Sambhav Foundation to
the world. Since the beginning of the epidemic and the Biopharma domain,” says Dr. Rajnish donate oxygen concentrators, BiPAP machines
in January 2020, Promega has provided enough Bharti, General Manager, Promega Biotech to combat the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Second
amplification reagents and enzymes to enable India Pvt LTD. Wave in the country. Promega distributed
testing an estimated 800 million samples for medical equipment to hospitals to augment
SARS-CoV-2 worldwide. In the last year, based The Pandemic Times their capacity to help patients infected with
on historical output, Promega has produced “For us, keeping employees safe was one of COVID-19 across Delhi/NCR.
the equivalent of more than 46 years’ worth of the biggest challenges. As a leader, our main Promega India has partnered with
R Nasin® Plus and 20 years’ worth of GoScript™ focus was to ensure the emotional support and The Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide
RT Mix for 1-step RT-qPCR. Both products are well-being of our employees as well as their Happiness Kits for COVID-19 food relief
key reagents used in COVID-19 testing globally. family members. So, we started working from efforts for government school children.
The Maxwell® HT Viral TNA Kit and home since the beginning of the pandemic and Currently, the company is also distributing
ReliaPrep™ Viral TNA Miniprep Kit, both transformed into a digital company,” he says. free-of-cost hand sanitizer and face masks
Promega RNA extraction kits, are validated To keep employees motivated, the company to testing labs and local communities. The
and approved by the Indian Council of Medical conducted regular Yoga and Mindfulness company also extended support by providing
Research (ICMR) to extract viral total nucleic sessions that focused on developing emotional PPE kits and face shields.
acid. The public-private initiative is taken to stability in today’s scenario. Through “We have successfully organized a
increase COVID-19 testing capacity by using these sessions, employees learned how to COVID-19 vaccination drive in collaboration
Promega Maxwell instruments in India. In a manage stress. with Sambhav Foundation and Felix Hospital,
major step to counter the coronavirus crisis, “Our products and work culture make us Noida,” says Dr. Rajnish. “The drive created
Promega India has offered use of automated unique,” says Dr. Rajnish. “Employees are one awareness among people about vaccines. We
instruments to government and ICMR of the biggest strengths of our organization. have also vaccinated our employees, families,
approved labs. To foster a supportive and dynamic work security staff, and people who are not getting a
“The Maxwell® RSC instrument is a environment, Promega embraces the first dose at their nearby centres,” he adds.
compact, automated RNA extraction platform principles of emotional and social intelligence Promega plans to conduct a few such
that processes up to 48 samples simultaneously (ESI). ESI helps employees improve drives in the coming months. The company
in less than 35 minutes. The automated relationships, manage stress and strengthen also plans to launch new technology in the
Promega solution allows laboratories to the emotional infrastructure at Promega to coming years that will further differentiate
process up to 400 samples in a typical 8-hour support a strong future.” Promega in the market.
FORBES INDIA MARQUEE • Game Changer- The Covid Global Heroes • JULY 2021 13You can also read
