How one scientist’s struggle to access research papers led to creation of a global publishing giant

It's a rag to riches success story for this young CEO of several international firms who started climbing the ladder of success with an out-of-the box idea to found Omics International Pvt Ltd in 2007, to make healthcare and scientific information open access. Dr Srinubabu Gedela, founder of Omics International Pvt Ltd and CEO of Pulsus Group, in an exclusive interview to Bizz Buzz said that while he was at Stanford, he started deliberating about starting a small entity to help students and research scholars who are struggling to get those study materials for their research purposes for free. The presence of a vibrant ecosystem on Stanford campus and savings he could from his fellowship amount helped his dream to become a student-entrepreneur come true by starting a startup to provide open access to scientific information in a very humble way.

What made you form Omics and make an impact among youngsters by providing open access to advanced scientific and medical publications?

I was only 25 when I was awarded a PhD in 2006. I always dreamt of becoming a world-renowned scientist, and went ahead to do my PhD and post doctorate from Stanford University. I was invited to participate and present a paper in an international conference at Human Proteome Organization, Seoul in Korea. During this time, I struggled a lot to get access to research papers to prepare my well-established presentation, but I could not get any as it was all a paid access, and I could not afford those paid access papers. But somehow, I managed to present and was also recognised with “Young Scientist Award.”

These experiences prompted me to begin an initiative that would free scientific knowledge from all barriers. I felt sharing knowledge should be for all, and not just for the people who can afford to get the information or knowledge. Encouraged by my like-minded friends, fellow scientists and researchers, I started Omics International in 2007.

My initial interests were in the field of proteomics and diabetes, so I named my organization as ‘omics’ and committed to the mission of ‘open access’ to guarantee free and immediate access to information for any academic or research requirement. Omics International is an ever-expanding publishing group that publishes 700 online open access journals in the fields of clinical, medical, engineering and technology, management and life sciences that publishes 50,000 scientific research articles annually.

We are committed to make genuine and reliable contributions to the scientific community without restricting the access of published content. We have published over 700+ leading-edge peer reviews, and have organized over 3,000 international conferences all over the world and obtained large global visibility in various scientific disciplines. This knowledge sharing perfect platforms with many enlightening interactive sessions enable us to get the perfect content.

Omics have over 15 million readers, the reputation and success earned can be attributed to the strong editorial board which contains over 50,000 eminent personalities that ensure a rapid, qualitative content. More than 1000 international societies are supporting us in making this scientific information open access.

You have embraced success through a hard way as you don't have a Godfather or any backing having come from a very ordinary background from a backward district like Srikakulam? What was the turning point in your life?

I am from a small village called Allena in Srikakulam, and not from a wealthy family. I have to walk many miles to go to my school. My growing years were very tough. But I was good at studying. My parents worked hard to make ends meet, so I could study, as they believed education is the foundation for any growth. I used to walk over 12 km every day till 12th class to reach my school.

After finishing my schooling with an excellent percentage of marks, I pursued a Bachelor in Pharma (BPharm) in Andhra University and also did my post-graduation in MTech from the same university. The turning point in my life was when I was invited to participate and present a paper in an international conference at the Human Proteome Organization in Seoul.

How did you manage your studies in Andhra University? Pursuing your dream, you went to Stanford to do Phd...What challenges did you face to redeem your passion to climb the ladder of success?

My education was on scholarship, as I was a very bright student. Also, the Young Scientist Award that I received at the Human Proteome Organization in Korea paved my way to Stanford. Post-the Young Scientist Award, I got a call from Stanford University asking me to apply for the mathematical modelling techniques for early-stage identification of cancer. During my master's and doctoral studies, I have done early-stage identification of diabetes and published several research papers in reputed journals like Talatan, Journals of Chromotherapy B, International Journal of Biomedical Science.

While doing research at Stanford, did you float a startup? How could you pool up resources to make it commercially viable?

While I was at Stanford, I started deliberating about starting a small entity to help students and research scholars who are struggling to get those study materials for their research purposes for free. The student community and the research scholars were facing difficulties accessing the scientific literature as they had to pay a big fee to get access. With my fellow supporters I started the first open access journals for research scholars with very little resources, and from my little savings, I floated my first startup. My struggle during education prompted me to begin an initiative that would allow everyone to gain scientific knowledge without barriers. Stanford University has a vast network, and any idea can become a business model in Stanford, and thus my startup dream came true.

Today, you have operations in Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad. Please elaborate on your expansion plan and how many jobs could you provide so far?

As of today, Omics International is operating in six Special Economic Zone Units with 5000+ employees (75 per cent are female employees) at Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi and successfully running. As part of my expansion plans, we have acquired several small and medium size companies in publishing and events vertical from Europe, Canada and Russia.

In 2015 we acquired Pulsus Health Tech, a 40-year-old multinational company, and expanded its presence in London, Singapore, Chennai, Gurgaon and Hyderabad. Pulsus provides services in healthtech, health informatics, medical publishing and pharmacovigilance services.

We have been one of the highest employment generators in the last four years in Andhra Pradesh, creating about 5,000 jobs with the support of the Software Technology Parks of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and are working with the local government to create one million jobs in the next couple of years.

What do you expect from the Government of India to make the research field more student-friendly?

Scientific research should reach everybody in this society. India has the largest population of youth in the world, and a majority of the youth have vast knowledge. We have to cultivate it in the right direction. My whole motive is to remove language barriers in research and help the scholars to have access to healthcare and scientific information accessible in their preferred language for free of cost to as many as the remotest corners of the world.

What is your message to several other talented young men to chant success mantra?

It's hard to beat a person who never gives up. I never gave up while growing, and I still never give up. Chase the vision, not the money and the money will end up following you. Ideas are easy, but Implementation is hard. So, the youth should be prepared for winning and learning.

What are your other activities?

My passion to have a cricket team for my home town prompted me to buy “Vizag Warriors." This cricket franchise is part of Andhra Premier League (APL) with a motive to provide a platform for young cricketers to hone their skills, to play alongside experienced players and learn and prepare them for future endeavours. Vizag Warriors will play a significant role in promoting cricket in Andhra Pradesh and for the young local talent.

You are a well-known serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor who has made significant contributions to the startup ecosystem in India. Can you update us on this?

With a strong belief in fostering innovation and promoting the startup culture, I have supported and nurtured numerous promising entrepreneurs and their innovative ideas. As an investor, I have invested over and above Rs.30 crore in several startups including Mera Events, Emedevents, Blue Book and many more. These investments have been focused on startups with a strong background in technology and business.

Apart from providing financial support, I also offer mentorship to the startups. I share my extensive experience and network in the industry to guide entrepreneurs on their journey to success.

Furthermore, my contributions to the startup ecosystem extend beyond the investments and mentorship. I have been actively participating in entrepreneurial network programmes such as Hyderabad Angels, the Indian Angel Network, and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs), to understand the entrepreneurial and investment landscape to help the startup ecosystem further. I believe in driving economic growth and promoting the startup culture even in rural areas.

You are contributing to the G20 Global Tech Summit Series highlighting Pharma & Health Summit. Throw some light?

Pulsus Group is set to embark on an exciting journey with the upcoming G20 Global Pharma Summit Series and G20 Health Summit Series, which will cover all major G20 metrics. These events will serve as platforms for knowledge sharing, collaboration and the recognition of experts in the fields of healthcare and pharmaceuticals. We are happy to be part of making affordable and accessible healthcare and medicine possible through these events. We have experience conducting about 3000+ annual events and successfully operating about 1400 journals. All this expertise will be utilised to conduct these G20 healthcare and pharma summits.