Datar Genetics Limited (Datar), a renowned Centre for Molecular and Genetic Analysis announced a strategic partnership with India’s leading healthcare provider Apollo Hospitals to develop, offer and promote precision oncology based on molecular and genetic analysis.

The partnership envisages the integration of molecular and genetic analysis in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of cancers. The collaboration shall further explore leveraging technology to introduce precision matching for organ / bone marrow transplants.

Precision oncology using molecular and genetic analysis is rapidly emerging as an extremely potent and impactful approach in dealing with cancer. Further, liquid biopsy has been ranked amongst the top 10 breakthrough technologies of 2015 (MIT Tech Review). Datar Genetics has developed breakthrough technologies for non-invasive liquid biopsies, invitro chemo-sensitivity assessment and ultra-high resolution gene expression based therapy management for cancer patients. These technologies can potentially impact all aspects of cancer management eliminating several painful and ambiguous processes from the current treatment modalities.

The partnership also envisages the establishment of broad research and development initiatives in the field of translational research for superior cancer management and both companies will support each other's efforts to develop clinically implementable technologies at par with the best in the world.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K Hariprasad, president, Apollo Hospitals, said, “This is a proud moment for us to be a part of this landmark initiative wherein we intend to turn a page in cancer management by introducing precision oncology across Apollo Hospitals. We believe that with the evolution of molecular diagnostics & genetics, it’s time to leverage technology to enable precision diagnosis and commensurate treatment giving the patient the best chance to fight cancer upfront, save costs and reduce suffering and reduce time to productivity. This in turn shall enable us to realize our long standing vision of delivering better clinical outcomes from bench-to-bedside. This alliance is a further validation of Apollo Hospital’s commitment to research driven health care”.

Also speaking on the occasion, Rajan Datar, managing director, Datar Genetics, said “It is inevitable that genetics will be the main stay of all aspects of the war on cancer. India will lead this intellectual revolution and we at Datar Genetics are determined to make it successful. The collaboration with Apollo Hospitals marks the fundamental shift from a ‘West-facing’ and ‘West-dependent’ perspective in high technology in healthcare to a self-confident research initiative in India.”

Datar Genetics has a state of art facility at Nashik, Maharashtra, and a specialized team of scientists and clinicians who are devoted to developing the world’s best technologies for cancer management using molecular and genetic analysis. Datar Genetics has built India’s only differential pressure, contamination resistant, super high precision molecular laboratory and has constructed its database of Indian cancer patients and the peculiar molecular signatures prevalent in India.

Apollo Hospitals is widely recognized as the pioneer of private healthcare in India, and was the country’s first corporate hospital. The Apollo Hospitals Group, which started as a 150-bed hospital and today, operates 9200 beds across 64 hospitals. A forerunner in integrated healthcare, Apollo Hospitals has a strong presence across the healthcare spectrum. The group has also established 9 dedicated Cancer Hospitals across India that offer comprehensive cancer care. The Apollo Hospitals Cancer Group has over 125 surgical and radiation cancer specialists as well as diagnostic consultants. Further, under the aegis of its focus on cancer management, Apollo has also pioneered India’s first cardiac oncology practice. The Apollo Hospitals group has touched the lives of over 45 million patients, from 121 countries.

The strategic partnership is the first of its kind in India and will pave the way for rapid integration of molecular and genetic analysis as standard treatment options in cancer treatment for better outcomes and quality of life for patients as well as create an India centric model for high technology relevant for the world.