“Our research specifically focuses on understanding how gene function changes with age”

In an exclusive interview, Shailendra Vyas CEO and Director, Bioheaven360 Genotec shares details on the  company’s journey so far, its key offerings, upcoming initiatives, and future plans.

What motivated you to take up the challenge of founding a startup? Please share your foundational story with our readers.

After 25 years in the field of science, I was consistently troubled by a fundamental question: Despite tremendous advances in healthcare and biotechnology, why haven’t we been able to provide healthy aging to society? I observed that some sannyasis (ascetics) lead simple lives and easily live to be 100 years old, which suggests a gap between modern society’s approach to health and natural living. This observation sparked my interest in finding a solution that could bridge traditional wisdom with modern science.

As a biotechnologist, I decided to bridge this gap by implementing longevity solutions of translational value through an interdisciplinary approach, integrating biology with artificial intelligence, machine learning, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology, and stem cell research. I define biotechnology as an interdisciplinary field that requires integration of biology with other disciplines to be truly effective. Our mission became clear: to enable people to live 100 years of healthy, suffering-free life through this integrated approach to health and longevity.

What is the primary focus of your R&D activities? Why did you choose this particular area of interest?

Our R&D activities center on longevity, focusing on two key areas. First, we develop preventive diagnostics using machine learning models to predict chronic diseases before organ damage occurs. We’ve used osteoporosis as our proof of concept, creating models that can identify patients at risk of developing the condition. This approach is crucial because once organ damage occurs, we can only manage the disease rather than prevent it.

Second, we focus on preventive therapies and therapeutics to address these risks once identified. This dual approach helps us maintain a balance between preventing negative health factors and augmenting positive ones to promote longevity. We believe that successful longevity intervention requires both stopping harmful processes and enhancing beneficial ones, creating a holistic approach to healthy aging.

At what stage is the product development, and how far do you think the commercialization is? How do you address the affordability criteria?

Our machine learning models are ready for commercialization within the next 3-4 months. However, our therapeutics research, which includes stem cell integration and biological approaches, is still in the early stages and may take 3-5 years for completion. We have identified several molecular markers in the genomic pathway that are currently under validation. Our research specifically focuses on understanding how gene function changes with age and identifying ways to maintain optimal gene expression throughout life.

Regarding affordability, we hve developed a tiered approach. Our machine learning models, which use regular diagnostic parameters, are highly affordable. RT PCR-based expression patterns for gene function analysis are cost-effective, while more advanced technologies like DNA sequencing are positioned in the higher price range. Our goal is to democratize longevity solutions, ensuring they’re accessible to everyone, including those with limited resources. This tiered approach allows us to serve different segments of society while maintaining the quality and effectiveness of our solutions.

“In the next five years, we aim to establish ourselves as the country’s first company offering comprehensive longevity solutions.”

How big is the market segment that you aspire to target? What are your revenue expectations?

Our approach to market targeting is inclusive, aiming to democratize longevity and healthy aging across society. We believe that from diagnostics to therapeutics, our solutions should benefit everyone, including those who cannot afford expensive healthcare. Our goal is to ensure that even the last person in line can access and benefit from our innovations.

We are currently generating revenue through a combination of partnerships, direct sales, and subscriptions. We have nearly doubled revenue every year for the past 3 years. Over the next 12-24 months, we are targeting 5 times growth in revenue, driven by healthstack strategic partnerships, expanding our customer base, and optimizing our subscription model. Given our current traction and growth strategies, we are confident in achieving and potentially exceeding this milestone.

What kind of hurdles (if any) were faced by you during the course of your journey so far? Was it funding, finding mentors, or an incubation space?

The primary challenge was tackling longevity’s complexity as an individual entrepreneur. We overcame this by establishing strategic collaborations with faculties from prestigious institutions like AIIMS New Delhi, University of Delhi, and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute. Initially, we faced rejection from BIRAC due to misalignment with their requirements, but we later succeeded by redefining our business models. The COVID-19 pandemic actually provided an opportunity for us to develop a manufacturing facility for molecular assays, helping generate revenue while continuing our research.

How do you manage your funding currently? What kind of support do you expect from the government agencies?

Our funding journey has been diverse. We received initial support from the Department of Biotechnology through a grant for developing AI-based disease prediction models. Mr. Sanjay Nagi, a senior IIT Roorkee alumnus, became our first mentor and helped refine our business models. After doing a friends’ round receiving private cheques in 2022 and later followed by a bridge round, we successfully raised ₹1.7 crores from Digital Futures Angel Network (DFAN), followed by a bridge round. While government schemes are available, we believe there’s a need for more support for long-term translational research projects that may require more than the typical 18-month timeline for product development.

What is your immediate business plan and strategy to achieve the same?

Our immediate focus is twofold: first, we’re launching a healthcare app to implement our machine learning models for osteoporosis and expanding these models to other disease areas. Second, we’re working on completing the validation of our longevity markers, which we expect to take about a year before market launch.

What is your vision and broader plan for this startup in the next 5 years?

In the next five years, we aim to establish ourselves as the country’s first company offering comprehensive longevity solutions. Our vision is to provide an integrated package that includes translational machine learning-based risk prediction, diagnostic and longevity markers, and therapeutic solutions. We want to make these solutions accessible to people interested in longevity while generating sustainable revenue through our innovative approach to healthy aging.

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