“Medtronic invested US$ 510 million in its Hyderabad facility, making it our largest R&D hub outside the U.S.”

In an exclusive interaction, Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director and Vice President, Medtronic India shared insights on the company’s key milestones, its key offerings, upcoming initiatives, major investments and future plans.

Key milestones achieved by Medtronic India in the last few years? 

Medtronic is making remarkable progress in India, showcasing its steadfast dedication to advancing healthcare. In collaboration with the Government of Punjab and CMC Ludhiana, Medtronic has enhanced stroke management through an integrated care ecosystem, including a hub-and-spoke model and AI integration. The launch of the PRAAN Registry, the first industry-sponsored clinical registry on mechanical thrombectomy in India, has proven the safety, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency of this procedure for acute ischemic stroke, enrolling 200 patients across 14 centers.

In its commitment to clinician upskilling, Medtronic has partnered with Philips to train over 300 clinicians in imaging techniques for ESRD patients, utilizing AI-driven software to improve access to TAVR therapy. Additionally, we have collaborated with the Delhi Liver Foundation (DLF) to train and upskill the next generation of liver transplant surgeons in India. 

Medtronic has also invested in AI education and upskilling by partnering with AIG Hospitals and the Indian School of Business to launch an AI in Healthcare Programme. This initiative aims to educate aspiring physicians and key hospital stakeholders on the transformative impact of AI on clinical decision-making and personalized medicine.

Further demonstrating its commitment to innovation, Medtronic has invested $60 million to establish a Global IT Center in Hyderabad. This center focuses on AI/ML, Cloud Engineering, Data Platforms, and Digital Health, creating over 300 jobs and reinforcing our Medtronic mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life.

How does your product portfolio address the unique healthcare needs of the Indian population? New product launches in 2024 and upcoming ones in 2025?

Medtronic offers treatment for over 70 of the world’s complex and challenging conditions. We offer therapies across four areas -cardiovascular, medical surgical, neuroscience and diabetes. Throughout 2024, we introduced groundbreaking innovations across our portfolio, including leadless pacemakers for arrythmia, TAVR for aortic stenosis, insulin pump therapy for Type 1 diabetes, Deep brain stimulation therapy for Parkinson’s, and the renal denervation system for resistant hypertension.

There has been a significant rise in stroke cases in India. How is Medtronic contributing to stroke management?

Stroke causes more deaths in India annually than all three COVID waves combined, yet access to Mechanical Thrombectomy (MT) remains alarmingly low, leaving most without this life-saving treatment. Medtronic is addressing this critical issue through a comprehensive initiative focused on awareness, access, and affordability, driving both business and societal impact. Leading the fight against acute ischemic stroke (AIS), Medtronic empowers physician partners with advanced stroke technologies, including Mechanical Thrombectomy, which is effective up to 24 hours after stroke onset. In collaboration with Qure.ai, Medtronic integrates AI for advanced stroke management, establishing a hub-and-spoke network to support quicker decision-making and improved efficiencies, ensuring more patients receive timely treatment. Partnerships with the Government of Punjab, CMC Hospital, Medanta, and Kauvery Hospitals have expanded this network. As a key knowledge partner for the National Stroke Summit organized by FICCI, Medtronic has strengthened the stroke narrative by partnering with state and central governments. Through the “PRAAN” registry, India’s first multi-centric MT registry, Medtronic leverages health-economic data to advocate at various levels and has educated over 300 healthcare professionals. Additionally, Medtronic invests in public awareness initiatives to educate the public about the signs of stroke and the importance of timely treatment.

“Medtronic is leveraging digital technologies to enhance patient care and operational efficiency”

How do you view the key trends shaping the medical device industry in India, and how is Medtronic leveraging them?

The Indian medical device industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation, fuelled by innovation, digital integration, and proactive government initiatives. According to the EY 2024 Medtech Industry report, the industry is expected to grow from $12 billion in 2023-24 to $50 billion by 2030, with a strategic focus on reducing import dependency and expanding its global market share. In 2024, significant changes in India’s healthcare sector were driven by government efforts to enhance accessibility and quality. The expanded Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY now covers all citizens aged 70 and above, ensuring inclusive healthcare. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has also made significant progress, generating over 71 crore health accounts and linking 45.99 crore health records, thereby improving healthcare delivery through digital integration.

Medtronic is at the forefront of this transformation, driving innovation across various segments with a focus on four key themes: improved safety, enhanced efficacy, increased accessibility and affordability, and optimized efficiency. The company is deeply committed to its R&D and innovation pipeline, investing $510 million in its Hyderabad facility, which is poised to become its largest R&D hub outside the US. This center will serve as the global software technology center for Medtronic and an integral partner for engineering solutions.

There is a growing influence of digitally powered devices. How do you look at it and how is Medtronic leveraging digital technologies to enhance patient care and operational efficiency?

Medtronic is leveraging digital technologies to enhance patient care and operational efficiency. By utilizing AI, data analytics, and sensors, Medtronic empowers clinicians to create individualized treatment plans for better outcomes. For type 1 diabetes, Medtronic introduced the world’s first hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system, which adjusts insulin delivery based on continuous glucose monitoring, personalizing care by analyzing data and making necessary adjustments. Remote patient monitoring, a cornerstone of our cardiac rhythm business, is enhanced with Bluetooth technology, simplifying patient monitoring and enabling clinicians to detect dangerous heart rhythms more easily. The intelligent endoscopy module uses AI to identify colorectal polyps during colonoscopies, scanning every visual frame in real-time and alerting physicians to lesions that might be missed by the human eye. The implantable devices, such as the world’s smallest pacemaker, use sensors to detect irregular cardiac rhythms and adjust performance without human intervention. Overall, the integration of AI, sensing technology, and data analytics helps clinicians deliver personalized care and improve patient outcomes.

What role do collaborations with healthcare providers and government initiatives play in expanding Medtronic’s reach in India?

No single entity can solve the challenges of healthcare alone, which is why partnerships are critical. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can significantly enhance patient outcomes in India by leveraging the strengths of both sectors to improve healthcare delivery. PPPs enable the integration of advanced technologies and expertise from the private sector into public healthcare systems, leading to timely diagnosis and treatment of patients. Collaborations between public and private entities can help build and upgrade healthcare infrastructure, making advanced care accessible to a larger population. Additionally, PPPs can facilitate training programs for healthcare professionals, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to manage cases effectively. Proactive government initiatives, such as the inclusion of advanced therapies in the PMJAY scheme and the adoption of PMJAY HBP 2.2 at the state level, are significant steps towards bridging the accessibility gap.

With a lot of thrust on the Make in India and launch of PLI scheme by the government, does Medtronic plan to do any major investments for R&D or manufacturing units in India? 

With more than 40 years in India, we are committed to accelerating access to quality healthcare and bringing our expertise to the local healthcare ecosystem.

Medtronic has a large commercial footprint and R&D Center (MEIC) in India. Last year, the company invested $60 million in the Global IT center in Hyderabad that will create 300 job opportunities. Medtronic has also invested $510 million in Medtronic Engineering & Innovation Center (MEIC) in Hyderabad, making it our largest R&D centre outside US which is set to be the software technology center for MDT globally and integral partner for engineering solutions.

*This interview was first published in the April 2025 edition of BioVoice eMagazine.