Towards Eternity #9
Streamlining medical device approvals, Healthtech monitoring with your smart phone, Youth contribution to healthtech sector and a deep dive on the use of AI in drug discovery.
We think that the next decade will belong to those nations and innovators that embrace bold leaps in healthtech, break down the barriers to access quality healthcare, and embrace preventive care.
India is streamlining medical device approvals with new rules to centralize high-risk classifications, promising quicker market launches and less red tape. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone 3, set to debut in 2025, aims to revolutionize personal health with AI-powered predictive monitoring, though privacy concerns linger. As India’s $320 billion healthcare market grows, early exposure to healthtech is key to empowering youth to be a part of the healthtech revolution.
Don’t miss our deep dive on AI in Drug Discovery, where we explore how machine learning is slashing development times, delivering life-saving medicines faster, and shaping the future of personalized healthcare.
💡 Stick around to explore how technology is transforming global health—and make sure to subscribe for weekly insights!
This newsletter brings you the top three healthtech stories from the past week, along with a deep dive into one standout story that caught our attention.
This is Towards Eternity, a weekly newsletter that curates and brings together insights from the world of healthtech. This newsletter is aimed at health enthusiasts, biohackers, investors, Quantified Self enthusiasts, founders, and investors to get the pulse of the ecosystem.
I’m Pradeep, a writer, recovering health enthusiast, and part of the C4E Village.
3 Stories for the Week
Proposal for easier approval for medical devices
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has proposed draft rules to standardize the classification of medical devices based on their risk profile, centralizing approvals for high-risk devices (Class C and D) like implants, angiographic guide wires, heart valves, etc., and reducing the ambiguity previously left to state governments.
This move is expected to streamline regulatory processes, minimize delays in product launches, and benefit manufacturers, though importers are less affected as they already work with CDSCO for device approvals.
Industry experts highlight the importance of regular updates to the classification list and increased stakeholder engagement to ensure clarity, regulatory alignment, and faster approvals. More details in the article here.
Health-tech in your Nothing Phone 3
The Nothing Phone 3, anticipated for release in mid-2025, is set to revolutionize health technology with AI-driven predictive health monitoring. By analyzing data from sensors and biometric inputs, it aims to detect potential health risks, such as heart attacks or diabetes, enabling early interventions and personalized care.
Seamless integration with wearable devices, health apps, and medical databases will create a unified health ecosystem, prioritizing user well-being. However, concerns about data privacy, accuracy, and regulatory compliance remain.
Additionally, the Phone 3 is expected to feature advanced AI capabilities, including a personalized AI companion and a dynamic, context-aware home screen, enhancing user experience beyond traditional app interfaces.
Why India’s youth must be introduced to healthtech early?
Rapid Growth in India's Healthcare Sector: India's healthcare market, valued at USD 180 billion in 2023, is projected to grow to USD 320 billion by 2028, driven by advancements in hospitals, telemedicine, medical devices, and health insurance. Government initiatives like the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) are digitizing healthcare and making it more accessible and efficient.
Building a HealthTech-Ready Workforce: With a shortage of healthcare professionals and the growing demand for expertise at the intersection of health and technology, early exposure to HealthTech is vital.
Empowering Youth to Solve Healthcare Challenges: By fostering curiosity and equipping students with technical and empathetic skills, India can address challenges like rural healthcare access and affordability.
I think you should read the full column here.
Deep Dive
AI in Drug Discovery
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medicine discovery is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry. Traditionally, drug discovery has been a lengthy and costly process, often taking over a decade and billions of dollars to bring a single drug to market.
AI’s Role in the Drug Discovery Process
AI is employed across various stages of drug discovery. At the outset, AI aids in target identification by analyzing vast datasets to pinpoint proteins or genes associated with specific diseases. In the lead compound discovery phase, machine learning models predict how potential molecules interact with targets, significantly reducing trial-and-error. AI also plays an important role in optimizing lead compounds for efficacy and safety, leveraging predictive algorithms to identify the best candidates for further development. Additionally, AI can analyze preclinical data to forecast how a drug might perform in humans, saving valuable time and resources.
Real-World Applications and Medicines in the Pipeline
Several companies are pioneering AI-driven drug discovery. For instance, Insilico Medicine used AI to identify a new drug candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in less than 18 months—a fraction of the typical timeline. Exscientia, another leader in the field, has advanced AI-designed drugs into clinical trials for cancer and immunological diseases. BenevolentAI is working on treatments for COVID-19 and neurodegenerative disorders by harnessing its AI platform to uncover novel therapeutic pathways. These examples underscore AI's potential to expedite the development of life-saving medicines.
Challenges and Ethical Considerations
Despite its promise, AI in drug discovery faces several challenges. There can be bias in training datasets that can lead to skewed predictions, potentially overlooking viable drug candidates. Data privacy and security are critical concerns, especially when using patient data. Regulatory frameworks have yet to fully adapt to the nuances of AI-generated discoveries, posing hurdles in approval processes. Ethical questions also arise regarding the ownership of AI-designed drugs and the potential displacement of human roles in research.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, AI is poised to extend its influence into clinical trials, optimizing patient recruitment and trial design. Personalized medicine, where AI tailors treatments to individual genetic profiles, is another promising frontier. By reducing costs and increasing efficiency, AI could democratize access to cutting-edge therapies that could transform global healthcare.
AI is not merely a tool but a catalyst driving the next era of medicine discovery. As the technology and regulatory framework matures, its impact on drug development and healthcare delivery will only deepen, offering hope for faster cures and broader accessibility.
From AI breakthroughs to next-gen devices, the healthtech revolution is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Stay curious, stay informed, and stay ahead—because the innovations shaping healthcare today could change your life tomorrow.
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