Developments in the life sciences space has heralded a new age in digital health with the convergence of information technology, artificial intelligence and data sciences according to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson, Vision Group on Karnataka and CMD Biocon.

The emergence and acceptance of digital biotech is paving the way for gene editing. All this is happening because of the convergence of data and application of information of technology. The latest development on this front is the approval of a digital tablet by US FDA which actually has in-built sensors to track how the table is absorbed and how it acts in the body.

The use of sensors and cameras for diagnosis is rampant because it has revolutionised the early detection of lesions and bleeds in the body. There are also a number of start-ups which are taking shape and focusing on these areas. Now India has a unique opportunity to leap frog in a number of these areas with sensors, information technology and artificial intelligence in healthcare and manufacturing,  she added.

“We also see the convergence of information technology and artificial intelligence which has led to the creation of med-tech and life-tech start-ups. What is happening in this convergence around the world is that digital health is becoming not just for India to leap frog but for the word to augment and enhance its healthcare reach. If we look at the potential of biotech to furthering science and research we see Bengaluru has proved to be an innovation leader going by the companies which has established research hubs here”, said the Vision Group chief.

The Bengaluru Technology Summit being conducted here from November 16 to 18, 2007 is here to celebrate the convergence of technology that is happening world over. It is a platform to be future ready. The Karnataka government has a strong connect with the industry. It is this connect with the industry which has made the state a leading technology hub, she stated.

Today biotech in India is a US$ 42 billion industry aiming to be US$ 100 billion by 2025. This is a sector which cuts across healthcare, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and information technology. It has generated 100,000 jobs for scientists and engineers across the country.

Now Bengaluru is the leading tech hub in the country and among those globally. Lauding the efforts of the Karnataka government for enabling many of these technologies, Shaw said that this has allowed the state to attain leadership in biotech and IT. India is home to 1,200 life-tech start-ups and Bengaluru accounts for 60 percent of these enterprises. In fact, Bengaluru is the fourth biggest start –up hub globally. The objective is to ensure that the country could have 2020 start-ups in life tech by the year 2020. But going by the current pace of development, it looks like we will be much more in numbers, she said.