Ramesh Swaminathan: AI Enhancing Speed and Quality in Decision-Making

In the realm of healthcare, Lupin is harnessing digital tools to enhance supply chain processes and streamline drug discovery and development. Ramesh Swaminathan, the executive director and global CFO of Lupin, shares insights into how the company is integrating technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, and automation while prioritizing patient-centric care. Here’s an overview:

Evaluating Lupin’s Digital Transformation Journey

Lupin’s approach to digital transformation transcends mere technology integration; it’s about creating a more responsive, human-centered organization. By utilizing digital tools, the company aims to eliminate obstacles, enhance patient outcomes, and empower teams for a future-ready healthcare landscape.

Embracing AI and IIoT for Operational Excellence

At Lupin, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and AI are pivotal for gaining predictive insights, enhancing decision-making, and achieving operational excellence. The company is actively piloting various GenAI applications across its commercial, manufacturing, and quality sectors. Additionally, the implementation of robotics and automation in manufacturing facilities is supplemented by strengthened cybersecurity protocols utilizing AI to detect anomalies.

How Digital Innovations Enhance Health Outcomes

By leveraging digital technology, Lupin aims to significantly improve the customer experience. Its LYFE digital therapeutics platform merges AI-powered cardiac monitoring with coaching and emergency support, extending its reach to over 380 districts in India. Furthermore, the HuMrahi initiative has aided more than 100,000 patients dealing with diabetes and cardiac conditions, available in 12 languages.

Lupin also launched the Joint Airways Initiative (JAI), the first digital platform in India for asthma education, which instructs patients on proper inhaler usage and disease management. In collaboration with Niramai, the company’s breast cancer screening initiative utilizes AI-based Thermalytix technology for early, non-invasive detection, boasting an accuracy rate 70% higher than traditional thermography. This illustrates how digital innovation is essential to Lupin’s mission of enhancing healthcare access and patient results.

The Future of Healthcare Technologies

Artificial intelligence and automation are quickly emerging as vital components throughout the pharmaceutical value chain, especially in early-stage research and development as well as commercial application. Lupin is fully committed to integrating AI and GenAI to foster smarter, quicker, and more efficient operations across its value chain.

An example of this is the Smart Manufacturing Hub, which offers AI-driven insights to boost manufacturing and maintenance processes. Another initiative, Quality Co-Author, automates documentation processes like Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Risk Assessments to ensure compliance and enhance efficiency. Additionally, the OOS Navigator employs AI for root cause analysis in investigations and generates automated reports, improving the overarching workflow.

Focus on Key Business Priorities

Currently, around 70% of Lupin’s R&D budget is dedicated to complex and specialty products, with expectations of R&D investments reaching 7.5% to 8.5% of revenue by FY26. Digital transformation remains a core element of the patient-centric philosophy. By harmonizing digital and R&D investments and expanding into diagnostics, neurorehabilitation, and consumer health, Lupin aims to provide holistic, accessible, and outcome-oriented healthcare solutions globally.

In the next five years, there are plans to launch over 80 new products in India and submit more than 60 applications for the US market. The company is sharpening its focus on high-growth therapeutic areas such as gastrointestinal health, oncology, central nervous system disorders, and biosimilars.

Lupin is dedicated to building a robust global specialty business through in-house innovations and strategic acquisitions. This strategy includes expanding its presence in significant international markets like Europe, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, and the Philippines. By enhancing support across various health stages, the company aims for sustainable growth fueled by focused R&D investments and a patient-centric brand-building approach.