Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The centre is a leading eye institute and research facility dedicated to providing world-class ophthalmic services with a focus on compassion, precision, and innovation. It boasts a highly skilled team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, and support staff, and is actively involved in community outreach, educational initiatives, and vision screenings to raise awareness about eye health.

The facility will offer specialized departments, including Cornea, Refractive Surgery and LASIK, Retina Vitreous, Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery, Paediatric Ophthalmology, Ocular Immunology and Uveitis, Oculoplasty and Oncology, and Low Vision Services. The centre will also support eye donation registrations and volunteer opportunities, operating daily from 9 AM to 8 PM.

The Managing Director of the centre, (Retd) Major General Anil Bam, an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, emphasized the importance of the centre’s contribution to improving eye health in the region. The Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre aims to deliver high-quality, compassionate care while advancing research and education in the field of ophthalmology.

As of 2024, India accounts for approximately 20% of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) diagnostic imaging market, with portable imaging devices playing an increasingly crucial role in improving healthcare accessibility. The country’s diagnostic imaging device market is projected to exceed $7 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%, according to market research firm GlobalData.

The adoption of portable imaging devices is expected to be a major driver of market expansion, particularly in emergency and trauma situations where rapid diagnostics are essential. These devices enable on-site diagnostics, reducing the need for patient transfers and improving care in critical scenarios. Portable imaging is also a cost-effective alternative for smaller healthcare centers that cannot afford large, traditional imaging setups. However, despite these advantages, India’s portable imaging segment remains in its early stages, facing several challenges. High ownership costs, complex import regulations, and limited service infrastructure are key barriers to widespread adoption. Furthermore, ongoing maintenance and the need for skilled personnel to operate these devices add to the cost burden.

Nevertheless, portable imaging continues to gain traction, particularly in rural and underserved areas, where access to healthcare is limited. Industry experts, such as Rohit Anand, Practice Head of Medical Devices at GlobalData, highlight the potential of portable devices to improve healthcare delivery, with the future likely featuring a hybrid model that combines traditional and portable imaging solutions. As income levels rise and awareness of preventive care increases, demand for portable imaging is expected to accelerate, reshaping healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes.

In addition, AI-driven imaging solutions are set to further propel market growth by offering higher-resolution images with reduced radiation exposure. However, with India still importing 80-85% of its medical devices, the benefits of market expansion may be unevenly distributed among stakeholders.

Exact Sciences is rolling out an upgraded version of its home colorectal cancer screening test, Cologuard, after a decade on the market. The new version, Cologuard Plus, incorporates additional genetic biomarkers to improve accuracy. This enhancement reduces false positives, which in turn lowers unnecessary colonoscopy referrals, while maintaining the test's sensitivity to detect early-stage tumors and advanced precancerous polyps.

Approved by the FDA last October and covered by Medicare, Cologuard Plus maintains a similar user process to the original test. However, through a partnership with Mayo Clinic, the updated version stabilizes sample quality, resulting in slightly longer turnaround times for returning kits to Exact Sciences' lab.

Cologuard has had a significant impact on colorectal cancer screening, contributing to a 77% increase in nationwide participation from 2018 to 2021, and facilitating over 19 million screenings. "Cologuard transformed colorectal cancer screening," said Jake Orville, Exact Sciences’ general manager for screening. He emphasized that Cologuard Plus improves patient care and enhances healthcare delivery, getting the company closer to the goal of eradicating this preventable disease.

Despite the rollout of Cologuard Plus, the original version will still be available temporarily as Exact Sciences works to secure commercial payer coverage. The new test will initially be accessible to Medicare patients, who represented about 15% of Cologuard sales last year. It’s expected to impact revenues in the latter half of 2025. Approximately 48 million people in the U.S. remain unscreened for colorectal cancer, highlighting the continued need for such innovations.

In a significant step to promote precision oncology for lung cancer treatment, the LuNGS Alliance, an initiative led by the Cancer Research and Statistic Foundation (CRSF), has launched free Lung NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) biomarker testing for lung cancer patients across India. The initiative, supported by major pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Roche, aims to make advanced cancer care more accessible and affordable.

The program partners with 4baseCare, the official lab provider, to offer the TARGT First Solid test, which analyzes 72 commonly mutated genes. This comprehensive test identifies actionable biomarkers linked to FDA-approved therapies and NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines, enabling oncologists to tailor personalized treatment plans for patients based on their unique genetic profiles. This precision approach allows for more effective treatment strategies, potentially improving patient outcomes.

The primary goal of this initiative is to bridge the gap between innovative cancer care and its accessibility, particularly for those facing financial barriers. By providing free biomarker testing, the LuNGS Alliance ensures that financial constraints do not prevent patients from accessing the most advanced treatment options available.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in India, with an estimated 72,510 new cases and 66,279 deaths annually, according to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health. This high mortality rate underscores the urgent need for personalized treatment methods, which are more effective than conventional approaches. Biomarker testing helps address this need by enabling the use of targeted therapies based on the patient's specific genetic mutations, offering a more tailored and potentially life-saving approach to lung cancer treatment.

GE HealthCare has unveiled its new Revolution Vibe CT system, designed specifically to enhance cardiovascular disease diagnosis. This advanced scanner features what the company calls "unlimited one-beat cardiac imaging," which allows for fast, low-dose, full-organ scans capable of clearly capturing moving valves and clogged arteries in a pulsing heart. The technology enables cardiac CT angiography (CCTA), a key tool in diagnosing coronary artery disease, particularly useful for patients experiencing chest pain.

The Revolution Vibe aims to broaden access to CCTA, improving the ability of healthcare providers to offer fast, accurate diagnoses. GE HealthCare’s system integrates advanced imaging technology with AI-driven solutions to ensure a more efficient and comfortable patient experience. "The system is designed to encourage broader adoption of cardiac imaging," said Jean-Luc Procaccini, GE HealthCare’s president and CEO of molecular imaging and computed tomography.

The Revolution Vibe has received CE Mark approval in Europe and is currently under review by the FDA. The system was introduced at the American College of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Chicago, where GE HealthCare also announced the U.S. commercial launch of its Flyrcado PET imaging agent. Approved by the FDA in the fall, this fluorine-18 radiotracer offers enhanced diagnostic efficacy compared to traditional imaging techniques like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and myocardial perfusion imaging.

Additionally, the Flyrcado PET imaging agent will benefit from passthrough payment status from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), effective April 1. This new billing code will allow CMS to pay separately for the radiopharmaceutical and PET-CT scans in outpatient settings. GE HealthCare also completed its acquisition of Nihon Medi-Physics, a Japanese radiopharmaceutical maker, in a move announced last December.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Northern Region (NR) Committee on Healthcare has announced its new leadership for the year 2025-26.

Dr. Dharminder Nagar, Managing Director of Paras Health, will continue his role as Chairman. An accomplished and visionary leader, Dr. Nagar has successfully led the committee for the past six years, driving significant advancements in the healthcare sector.

Dr. Raajiv Singhal, Managing Director and CEO of Marengo Asia Healthcare, has been appointed as the new Co-Chairman. Known for his dynamic and innovative approach, Dr. Singhal brings extensive experience in steering strategy and operations, positioning the committee for continued success.

The new leadership team assumes their roles with immediate effect, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the CII NR Committee on Healthcare.

Novartis announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pluvicto® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan) for the treatment of patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). This approval applies to patients who have received androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) therapy and are eligible to delay chemotherapy.

The expanded indication, which increases the number of eligible patients by approximately threefold, is based on the Phase III PSMAfore trial. The study demonstrated that Pluvicto reduced the risk of radiographic progression or death by 59% compared to ARPI therapy alone. The median radiographic progression-free survival for Pluvicto more than doubled to 11.6 months, compared to 5.6 months for those on ARPI therapy.

Michael Morris, MD, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, highlighted the potential of Pluvicto to change treatment paradigms for mCRPC by offering a targeted therapy that delays disease progression better than a second ARPI. While the final overall survival analysis favored Pluvicto, it was not statistically significant, partly due to the high rate of crossover from the control arm. When adjusted for crossover, the survival advantage was significant.

The PSMAfore study also revealed a favorable safety profile for Pluvicto, with most adverse events being mild (Grade 1-2), including dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, and constipation. The treatment did not interfere with subsequent chemotherapy options.

The expanded approval of Pluvicto offers new hope for mCRPC patients, providing an alternative to chemotherapy and ARPIs. Victor Bultó, President of Novartis US, emphasized the company's commitment to making radioligand therapies a core element of cancer care, ensuring broader access for patients.

Abbott has received CE mark approval in Europe for its Volt Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) System, marking a significant milestone in electrophysiology. The company has commenced commercial PFA cases with physicians experienced in the Volt system through Abbott’s clinical trials. Wider availability across additional EU markets is planned for the second half of 2025.

Volt integrates seamlessly with Abbott’s EnSite X EP system, streamlining workflows by enabling mapping, pacing, and ablation with a single catheter. The system enhances visualization and real-time contact assessment, optimizing catheter positioning for improved outcomes.

“The launch of Abbott’s Volt PFA system represents a major advancement in electrophysiology,” said Prof. Helmut Puererfellner of Ordensklinikum Hospital, Linz, Austria. “PFA is transforming our approach to treating conditions like AFib, and Volt builds on this potential, bringing new benefits to clinical teams.”

Initial commercial cases were performed by leading electrophysiologists, including Prof. Roland Tilz (University Heart Center Lübeck, Germany), Prof. Gian-Battista Chierchia (University of Brussels, Belgium), and Prof. Peter Loh (University Medical Center Utrecht, Netherlands). Their involvement highlights the growing adoption of PFA technology, which continues to reshape patient care and improve treatment options for cardiac arrhythmias.