Trust, tech and tier 2 expansion: Neuberg Diagnostics’ three pronged bet to crack India’s fractured diagnostic market
By Arunima Rajan
In an interview with Arunima Rajan, Dr. Sujay Prasad, Chief Medical Director of Neuberg Diagnostics, talks about how diagnostic industry still faces challenges like last mile access in remote areas, affordability concerns and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks.
India’s diagnostics industry has long been fragmented, with trust often built on word-of-mouth rather than institutional credibility. With the post-pandemic boom projected at 10–13% annually, how is Neuberg Diagnostics looking to transform this space—not just through scale but by building a structured, trust-driven ecosystem? What gaps do you see that remain unaddressed?
Neuberg Diagnostics is aware of the potential to serve a larger population and is focused on creating a structured, trustworthy, quality-driven ecosystem that prioritises transparency, accuracy, and accessibility. Our strategy on this journey includes:
Expanding accredited laboratories to ensure uniform quality.
AI-driven diagnostics for higher accuracy and faster turnaround times.
Seamless digital integration for enhanced patient experience.
Standardised pricing and service benchmarks to build credibility.
The industry still faces challenges like last-mile access in remote areas, affordability concerns, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks. Neuberg is actively working to address these through expansion, partnerships, and technology-driven solutions.
AI, digital integration, and at-home testing are fundamentally reshaping how people experience healthcare. Beyond improving accuracy, how is Neuberg thinking about diagnostics as a seamless, tech-enabled service? Are we heading toward a future where wearables and real-time monitoring make lab visits redundant?
Technology is making diagnostics more convenient, efficient, and predictive. Neuberg is leading this transformation through:
AI-powered diagnostic tools for faster, more precise results.
At-home sample collection and teleconsultation platforms.
Digital health records and seamless patient engagement apps.
While wearables and real-time monitoring are advancing preventive care, they cannot completely replace lab-based diagnostics—especially for disease detection, pathology tests, and specialised screenings. The future lies in hybrid models where routine monitoring is done via wearables, but deeper health insights still require lab testing.
Dr Sujay Prasad, Chief Medical Director, Neuberg Diagnostics
Consumers today aren’t just reacting to illness—they’re actively seeking ways to stay ahead of health risks. With growing interest in genetic testing, fitness diagnostics, and holistic health assessments, what is Neuberg’s approach to meeting this demand? Are there services on the horizon that could redefine what we think of as “routine” check-ups?
The shift from reactive to proactive healthcare is a defining trend. Neuberg is expanding its services beyond conventional diagnostics to include:
Genetic testing for early disease risk assessment.
Metabolic and microbiome analysis for personalised health insights.
Comprehensive wellness panels that integrate fitness, nutrition, and preventive screenings.
Looking ahead, AI-driven health risk prediction, advanced biomarker testing, and personalised longevity diagnostics will reshape the definition of routine check-ups.
The next wave of healthcare expansion isn’t happening in Mumbai or Delhi—it’s in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where affordability meets aspiration. What’s your playbook for cracking these markets? Is it about pricing, accessibility, or a fundamentally different approach to service delivery?
Affordability and accessibility are the two pillars of our tier-2 and tier-3 expansion strategy. Our approach includes:
Hub-and-spoke lab models to bring specialised tests to smaller cities.
Affordable pricing models without compromising quality.
Strategic tie-ups with local hospitals and clinics for better reach.
Mobile labs and home testing services to bridge last-mile access.
These markets require a localised approach with community-driven engagement, vernacular digital platforms, and trust-building initiatives.
The regulatory landscape for diagnostics in India is evolving, and compliance can often mean added costs. How does Neuberg balance these challenges while keeping services competitively priced? And in a sector poised for disruption, what long-term bets are you making to keep Neuberg ahead of the curve—both for investors and for the industry at large?
Regulatory compliance is crucial for patient safety, and we are addressing cost challenges by:
Leveraging automation and AI to improve operational efficiency.
Scaling up operations to bring down per-test costs.
Investing in quality accreditation and standardisation to build long-term trust.
Our long-term vision includes:
AI-powered predictive diagnostics to move from illness detection to prevention.
Personalised medicine and genomic innovations for more precise treatments.
Strategic global partnerships to bring the latest innovations to India.
By staying ahead of tech disruptions and evolving consumer demands, Neuberg is not just adapting to industry shifts but actively shaping the future of diagnostics in India.
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