Redcliffe Labs plans to add 500 labs, 40k new collection centres by FY27

Diagnostics service provider Redcliffe Labs is planning to expand its operations in India through a series of upcoming initiatives. Currently, Redcliffe Labs operates a nationwide network of over 30 labs and more than 900 collection centres spread across 120 cities. It plans to establish more than 500 labs, 40,000 collection centres, and be accessible in more than 2,000 cities and towns by the end of FY27. Also, Redcliffe Labs recently became the first diagnostic service provider to embrace drone technology for its blood sample collection in clinical trials. Dheeraj Jain, Founder, Redcliffe Labs, in an exclusive interview with Bizz Buzz, says: "E-diagnostics in India will go mainstream, with full-throttle growth expected in the near future. It's driven by the need for doorstep sample collection, quick turnaround time, and speedy delivery of reports."

What are the new tools and technologies Redcliffe Labs is adopting to improve disease management in India?

By making use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Redcliffe Labs is increasing its reach and ensuring that high-end diagnostics are accessible to each and every Indian across the country. Many diagnostic tests that used to take hours of a pathologist's time can now be completed in minutes thanks to these technologies. And some of the tests cost one tenth of what they used to cost earlier.

How do you see future of e-diagnostics in India?

E-diagnostics in India will go mainstream, with full-throttle growth expected in the near future. It's driven by the need for doorstep sample collection, quick turnaround time, and speedy delivery of reports. Consequently, this will stimulate the sector to devise innovative techniques and newer tests with upgraded equipment and implement the latest software applications, while also keeping a sharp eye on quality control, accuracy, and affordability.

What are the plans of Redcliffe Labs to reach 500 million Indians and how are you going ahead on network expansion?

The company is planning to expand its operations in the country through a series of upcoming initiatives. Currently, Redcliffe Labs operates a nationwide network of over 30 labs and more than 900 collection centres spread across 120 cities. It plans to establish more than 500 labs, 40,000 collection centres, and be accessible in more than 2,000 cities and towns by the end of FY27.

Redcliffe Labs recently opened its commercial drone corridor between Uttarkashi and Dehradun, how viable is the use of drones for sample collection?

There has been a problem with sample collection in hilly areas and difficult traffic situations, which affects TAT (turnaround time) related to timely delivery of reports. We were able to reduce TAT with the help of drone delivery technology.

It is 144 kilometres from Uttarkashi to Dehradun by road, which takes 6-8 hours by road and 12 hours during a landslide. But using drone technology, this distance was covered in 88 minutes with one battery swap in between. The flight results are superb and the temperature control showed good results in terms of live tracking of samples with no thermal or heat shock. Our aim is to target those regions where there is a problem with road and air connectivity with the help of drone delivery. Simultaneously, it will help the State Government in providing better healthcare facilities to regions where healthcare facilities are a challenge.

Redcliffe Lifetech raised the biggest series B funding in India, how are you planning to execute the same and when are you expecting the next round of funding?

Redcliffe's mission is to reach 500 million Indians by 2027. To help achieve its target, Redcliffe Labs is in an aggressive expansion mode. We will be using the funding to reach out to Tier 3/4/5 towns and cities.

According to a report India's diagnostic industry expected to grow at 14 per cent, to touch $20 billion by FY26, what are your views on the same?

Over 70 per cent of the medical decisions regarding disease treatment, management and prevention are based on diagnostics. They are a crucial tool in preventive healthcare as well. So it is bound to grow. There will also be a lot of innovation as the diagnostic of the future will be doorstep sample collection, quick turnaround time, and speedy delivery of reports. Consequently, this will stimulate the sector to devise innovative techniques and newer tests with upgraded equipment and implement the latest software applications, while also keeping a sharp eye on quality control, accuracy, and affordability.

Logistics is becoming critical in the pursuit of serving customers, what Redcliffe is doing on the same?

Redcliffe Labs' ever growing network of labs and collection centres, is helping make its services and diagnostic care accessible to the remotest areas. Therefore, with easy access to quality diagnostics, people do not have to travel to the bigger cities to meet their diagnostic needs.

Also, Redcliffe Labs recently became the first diagnostic service provider to embrace drone technology for its blood sample collection in clinical trials. Hence, it will implement drone technology in different pockets and hard-to-reach areas in the country to further speed up its diagnostics services.

Please elaborate about your new genetic lab in Noida and how the new initiative GENEë-To the Gene will fulfill the needs of all genetic related issues?

Our genetic lab in Noida is also North India's first-of-its-kind and most advanced genetics laboratory. It aims to line up the most advanced and high-end sequencing systems like Novaseq 6000' Sequencing System and Spatial Genomics, which are useful in the diagnosis of rare conditions in new-borns, infants, and in prenatal settings.

GENEë-To the Gene, a common platform for all genetic needs of doctors and patients comprises of a team of DM Geneticists from across India and senior board-certified counsellors and medical liaisoners who are technically strong. The platform will help bridge the gap between clinicians from every part of India and clinical geneticists for guidance on testing and training on genetics. For report guidance and support, GENEë will bring patients closer to a certified geneticist and a genetic counsellor.

Furthermore, geneticists on the platform will also do online training with government and private institutes on genetics and testing. The platform will also set up offline genetic clinics with geneticists and genetic counsellors. Besides, it will create possibilities for geneticists from India to join the platform to support correct genetic testing for patients.

Also, through our network of 900 collection centres and lab network across the country with both routine tests and now diagnostics, Redcliffe Labs will be able to take this platform to even the smallest cities and provide clinicians access to geneticists. Doctors from other hospitals and cities can also be connected to the Geneê via WhatsApp. The Noida Lab is well equipped to perform different tests such as new-born screening-baby screen; non-invasive prenatal screening; marker screening; couple carrier screening; cytogenetics (Karyotype, FISH, Chromosomal Microarray); and exome sequencing .