Truth Before Traction: Dr. Shiva Kiran’s Startup Guide to Validating Real Problems
In the fast-moving startup ecosystem, founders are often tempted to rush into building solutions. However, as emphasized at the SPARKLAB workshop, innovation doesn’t begin with solutions—it begins with understanding real problems.
Dr. Shiva Kiran, Assistant Professor at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and core member of the SPARKLAB Innovation Council, led an insightful session on problem validation—a vital yet frequently overlooked step in the entrepreneurial journey. His session offered a structured approach to asking the right questions before designing the right answers.
Start with a Truth-Seeking Mindset
According to Dr. Shiva Kiran, many startups fail not due to poor execution, but because they efficiently build the wrong solution. His key message: founders should embrace a truth-seeking mindset—one that prioritizes discovery over assumption.
This mindset requires:
- Deep listening
- Testing assumptions
- Being open to being wrong
Rather than solving what seems obvious, great founders go deeper to uncover what truly matters to their potential users. It’s not about falling in love with your idea, but about falling in love with the problem.
Move Beyond Personal Bias: Center the People
Many founders start with a personal pain point. While this passion is a great driver, Dr. Shiva Kiran warns against assuming that others feel the same. Passion is not a substitute for validation.
To validate a problem:
- Study how people deal with the issue today.
- Understand if they are trying to solve it—or just adapting.
- Assess how severe or frustrating it truly is for them.
- Examine whether they would pay for a better solution.
This transition from personal intuition to collective insight is essential. Real validation happens when users confirm the need, not just your gut.
Crafting a Strong Problem Statement
A well-defined problem statement guides every other aspect of your startup. Dr. Shiva Kiran recommends structuring it around:
- Who is facing the problem
- Where/When the problem arises
- Why current alternatives don’t work
This user-focused lens leads to clearer communication with your team, users, and investors.
Crafting a Strong Problem Statement
A well-defined problem statement guides every other aspect of your startup. Dr. Shiva Kiran recommends structuring it around:
- Who is facing the problem
- Where/When the problem arises
- Why current alternatives don’t work
This user-focused lens leads to clearer communication with your team, users, and investors.
Two extra filters:
- Frequency – How often does the problem occur?
- Severity – How deeply does it affect the user?
For example, cancer isn’t frequent but is extremely severe—leading to high-value solutions. Common colds are frequent and less severe, but large-scale demand makes it a billion-dollar industry.
How to Validate a Problem Without Building a Product
You don’t need to build anything to start testing your ideas. Dr. Shiva Kiran shared several low-cost, high-impact validation methods:
1. Break Down the Problem
Large issues (e.g., “the water problem”) must be broken into actionable sub-problems that are solvable at a smaller scale.
2. Capture Anecdotal Evidence
Start with stories or local observations. These aren’t conclusive but help in framing the context.
3. Conduct Interviews
Speak with users and experts. Ask neutral, open-ended questions. Avoid confirmation bias and don’t “lead the witness”.
4. Observe Behavior
Watch how people behave in real settings. For example, how they clean solar panels or manage time in long queues. True insight often lies in what people do, not what they say.
5. Run Behavioral Experiments
Create a fake website or campaign to check if people click, sign up, or show interest in a product that doesn’t exist yet.
6. Do Digital Research
Use platforms like Google Trends, Statista, Tracxn, or IntraC to explore data, industry signals, and existing solutions globally.
These tools allow you to understand the size, urgency, and willingness to pay—all without writing a single line of code.
Understanding the Indian Startup Lens
India’s startup ecosystem is unique, with the government offering a clear definition of what qualifies as a startup. According to Dr. Shiva Kiran, the Indian model expects startups to not only be innovative and scalable but also socially conscious.
Key aspects include:
- Innovation & Technology focus
- Scalability via digital means
- Solving real social or economic issues
- Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In this model, values are as important as valuation. Whether solving for nutrition, education, or clean cities, Indian startups are expected to serve not just markets—but missions.
Be Wary of Biases and Validate with Grit
Throughout the workshop, Dr. Shiva Kiran emphasized the danger of invisible biases. A simple exercise using Google Translate showed how even language tools can reflect unintended stereotypes.
Key takeaways:
- Don’t design surveys or interviews that force a “yes”.
- Listen more than you talk during interviews.
- Accept “no problem” as a valid outcome.
- Let frustration come naturally—don’t push for it.
Validation is not a box to tick—it’s a continuous effort that demands grit, curiosity, and humility. As Dr. Shiva Kiran said, “The truth of the problem lies not in your mind, but in the market.”
Conclusion: Problem Validation is the First Innovation
At its heart, the workshop encouraged founders to slow down, step back, and dig deeper. Great startups are not just built—they are discovered. And that discovery begins by asking better questions, staying open to tough truths, and being obsessed—not with your idea, but with the real problem your users face.
As SPARKLAB continues to foster innovation grounded in human values, Dr. Shiva Kiran’s session serves as a timely reminder:
👉 Before building solutions, validate the problem. Because truth always comes before traction.
Unlocking Innovation Through Design Thinking: Insights from the SPARKLAB Workshop
In today’s rapidly evolving world, innovation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Yet true innovation is not merely about invention; it is about designing solutions that are deeply rooted in real human needs. This is where Design Thinking stands out as a powerful, human-centered approach to problem-solving.
At a recent SPARKLAB workshop, participants had the opportunity to explore the mindset and methodology of Design Thinking with Ms. Sudiptaa Paul Chowdhury, VP and CMO of Qnulabs.com, Board advisor, TEDx Speaker, Independent director, Mentor. More than just a methodology, Design Thinking was presented as a strategic tool that fosters empathy, creativity, and iterative improvement—empowering startups, businesses, and institutions alike.
What Is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking is a structured yet adaptable framework used to approach problems from a human-centric perspective. It involves understanding user experiences, generating ideas collaboratively, and refining those ideas through continuous feedback and iteration.
Though often associated with UI/UX and product design, Design Thinking now extends far beyond these boundaries. It is applied across business strategies, healthcare systems, education models, and even policymaking. At its core, Design Thinking revolves around:
- Creative Problem Solving: Approaching challenges from multiple perspectives.
- Collaborative Engagement: Actively involving users and stakeholders.
- Iterative Development: Continuously testing and refining ideas.
A Mindset of Empathy and Discovery
Ms. Chowdhury emphasized that Design Thinking is not simply a set of steps but a mindset—a way of seeing the world and engaging with problems. It begins with empathy and the persistent pursuit of understanding the why behind user behavior and challenges.
“Design is not about aesthetics—it’s about making solutions effective and meaningful within their context.”
This mindset requires humility, curiosity, and a willingness to let go of assumptions. True innovation starts when we stop assuming we know the solution and start deeply listening to those we aim to serve
The Double Diamond Framework: From Insight to Impact
One of the key frameworks introduced during the workshop was the Double Diamond Model, which breaks the innovation process into five iterative stages of divergent and convergent thinking:
1. Empathize
This stage involves immersing oneself in the user’s world through observation, interviews, and contextual inquiry.
🟢 Example: The founders of Airbnb identified that poor-quality photographs of rental spaces were deterring bookings. This insight led them to improve visual presentation, driving platform success.
2. Define
After gathering insights, teams synthesize their findings into a clear and actionable problem statement.
🟢 Example: Netflix realized the inconvenience of DVD rentals and redefined the problem, eventually revolutionizing content delivery through streaming.
3. Ideate
Here, teams brainstorm a wide range of creative solutions—without judgment—to tackle the defined problem.
🟢 Example: Blinkit (formerly Grofers) reimagined grocery delivery using micro-fulfillment centers to promise deliveries within 10 minutes.
4. Prototype
Ideas are brought to life through sketches, wireframes, mockups, or simulations, allowing for tangible exploration.
🟢 Example: Razorpay frequently prototypes new features to refine interface usability based on internal and user feedback.
5. Test
Prototypes are tested with users to gather feedback, identify friction points, and iterate further.
🟢 Example: Netflix continuously tests interface updates and algorithm changes to maximize engagement and viewer satisfaction.
Proven Impact Across Industries
The real-world impact of Design Thinking is measurable and transformative. According to studies cited during the session:
- Companies applying Design Thinking see a 69% increase in innovation efficiency (Adobe).
- Returns on investment range from $2 to $100 per dollar spent.
- Design-centric companies outperform the S&P 500 by over 200% (Top Tal).
- IBM, a global leader in enterprise innovation, has trained over 400,000 employees in Design Thinking practices.
These figures underscore that design-led approaches aren’t just about making things look good—they’re about making things work better for users.
Design Thinking and Agile: A Dynamic Duo
Design Thinking also integrates seamlessly with Agile methodologies. While Agile emphasizes speed, iteration, and responsiveness, Design Thinking ensures that those efforts are focused on solving the right problems.
Many teams adopt a hybrid approach—using Design Sprints to generate and test ideas quickly within Agile cycles and aligning them with Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). This synergy maintains innovation momentum while ensuring continuous user alignment.
Best Practices for Applying Design Thinking
The workshop concluded with several actionable best practices for successful implementation:
✅ Stay human-centered: Prioritize real user needs over assumptions.
✅ Co-create: Engage users as partners in the design process.
✅ Set aside bias: Recognize that you are not your user.
✅ Use feedback wisely: Seek clarity, not just validation.
✅ Embrace iteration: Design, test, learn, and refine—continuously.
Conclusion: A Strategic Lens for Innovation
Design Thinking is more than a tool—it is a strategic lens that sharpens decision-making, aligns products with people, and unlocks innovation across all sectors.
Whether you’re launching a new venture, reimagining a service, or navigating institutional complexity, Design Thinking provides a framework for asking better questions, listening more deeply, and designing with purpose.
The SPARKLAB workshop left participants not only informed but transformed—ready to apply these principles to build impactful solutions that matter.
Read More“From Idea to Impact: The Power of Customer Discovery” – Lessons from SPARKLAB with Mr. GSR Murthy
In the ever-evolving startup ecosystem, the foundation of a successful venture is not the product itself but a deep understanding of customer problems. This principle was reinforced in a recent session on Customer Discovery Methodology which focused on interviews, data collection, and interpretation by Mr. GSR Murthy. The session offered several insights that can guide entrepreneurs in building businesses that truly address customer needs. Here is a comprehensive look at the key lessons and how they can be transformed into actionable strategies for startups.
The Primacy of Understanding the Customer Problem
One of the core insights from the session is that successful startups prioritize understanding the customer problem before creating a product. Many ventures fail not because the product lacks innovation, but because it does not solve a real problem. Entrepreneurs often make the mistake of designing solutions in search of a problem, rather than validating the existence and urgency of the problem first. This approach is time-consuming and inefficient. Instead, startups must focus on uncovering genuine pain points and then build solutions around them. A blog exploring this concept might be titled “Why Solving a Problem is More Important Than Building a Product.”
Diverse Approaches to Customer Discovery
The session highlighted that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to discovering customers. Depending on the business model—B2C, B2B, or B2G—and the product type, discovery methods vary.
Examples shared included:
- Location-based discovery: A local stationery shop thrives on proximity and reputation.
- Time-sensitive targeting: Ice cream vendors succeed by serving peak-hour areas like parks or school zones.
- Traditional vendors: Vegetable sellers near temples focus on freshness and convenience.
- Digital reach: Online businesses use social media and targeted ads for customer access.
- B2G success: Platforms like Government e-Marketplace (GeM) offer startups large-scale public sector entry points.
This segment underscored that entrepreneurs must understand their context and adapt their customer discovery strategies accordingly.
Real Startup Examples: What Works and What Doesn’t
The session drew from a wide range of real-life startup cases—both successful and flawed—to highlight the power of customer alignment:
Positive examples:
- Cred simplified credit card payments and gamified the experience.
- Zepto tapped into the rising demand for 10-minute grocery delivery.
- OYO offered accessible, standardized accommodations.
- Rameshwaram Cafe succeeded by maintaining freshness and justifying its pricing.
- BookMyShow provided a seamless experience for entertainment booking.
- Ditto gained user trust with its non-pushy insurance recommendations.
Challenges observed:
- Cred coins lacked real-world value.
- Zepto’s platform fees reduced customer satisfaction.
- Tag Mango had inconsistent service tiers.
- Wellbeing Nutrition diluted its core by expanding too quickly.
- Ditto faced trust issues due to unclear claims policy.
- Cursor AI’s valuation seemed misaligned with its scalability and funding.
These examples stressed the importance of building with the user’s expectations and feedback in mind.
Frameworks That Guide Discovery
To navigate customer discovery effectively, two powerful frameworks were discussed:
- Business Model Canvas (BMC)
This visual tool helps entrepreneurs define customer segments, value propositions, revenue models, and key activities. It provides clarity during the early stages and ensures alignment across all business areas. - Hypothesis-Driven Exploration
Startups begin with assumptions about their customers and problems. These hypotheses are then validated—or refuted—through real-world feedback and iteration.
Both tools help ensure that product decisions are based on evidence, not guesswork.
Mastering Customer Interviews
Interviews are one of the most critical tools for understanding customer needs. The session emphasized how to conduct them effectively:
✅ Focus on open-ended and behavior-based questions
✅ Ask “why” to uncover motivations
✅ Target real potential users, not friends or family
✅ Keep interviews short (10–15 mins) and focused
✅ Don’t pitch—just listen
Common mistakes to avoid:
❌ Asking leading questions
❌ Selling your idea during the interview
❌ Assuming you know what the user needs
By prioritizing genuine curiosity over confirmation bias, entrepreneurs can gain deep insights that shape better products.
Turning Insights into Action
Once data is collected—via interviews, surveys, or observation—it must be analyzed for patterns and recurring themes. This helps in:
- Validating whether a real problem exists
- Defining customer personas
- Prioritizing features based on actual needs
- Crafting messaging that speaks to the target audience
Tools like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Zoom can assist in gathering data, while platforms like Spikily help analyze communication patterns for deeper insights.
Conclusion
The session made one truth very clear: building a startup is not about launching the next big product—it’s about solving a real problem in a meaningful way.
By mastering the art of customer discovery, leveraging structured tools, and learning from both success and failure, entrepreneurs can dramatically improve their chances of building ventures that last.
As Mr. GSR Murthy emphasized, the question every founder should ask is not, “What can I build?”, but rather, “What pain am I solving—and for whom?”
Read More🌟 SPARKLAB 1.0 Inaugural Ceremony: SSSIHL Ushers in a New Era of Purpose-Driven Innovation
Prasanthi Nilayam, May 5, 2025
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) inaugurated SPARKLAB 1.0, its pioneering startup incubation and innovation training program, at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. Centered around the theme “Where Values Meet Vision,” this initiative blends entrepreneurship with the core ideals of service, spirituality, and societal transformation.
The event marked a significant milestone for the university, drawing together faculty, students, alumni, and leaders from across the Sai ecosystem to celebrate a shared vision of innovation anchored in human values.
Opening Remarks: A Seed of Innovation Takes Root
Prof. Pallav Kumar Barua, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and a key leader of the SSSIHL Innovation Council, opened the session with an inspiring narrative. He traced SPARKLAB’s genesis to the success of Startup Day 2025, where over 50 ideas were received, and 28 projects shortlisted in areas such as healthtech, agritech, edtech, AI, EVs, and sustainable textiles.
He acknowledged the efforts of 25+ mentors, trainers, and alumni volunteers, including contributors to the development of the SPARKLAB website. More than a startup program, he described SPARKLAB as a movement rooted in service and national development, aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s mission of human upliftment.
“This is the moment when every step of yours is going to count,” Prof. Barua concluded.
A Vision Beyond the Classroom: Address by the Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor of SSSIHL and a renowned space scientist, delivered a compelling keynote emphasizing the Institute’s commitment to innovation as a “way of life.” He highlighted SPARKLAB’s integration with the Sri Sathya Sai Research & Innovation Foundation, a Section 8 company created to support impactful, values-aligned ventures.
“Even simple hostel innovations—the jugaad—reflect the spirit of real innovation,” he remarked.
He urged students to use their creativity in addressing four key societal areas:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Rural Development
- Environmental Sustainability
A Family’s Dream Realized: Reflections from Sri Nimesh Pandya
Speaking virtually, Sri Nimesh Pandya, All India President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, shared heartfelt reflections on the long-standing dream of integrating innovation with values. Recalling the enthusiasm of Sai youth from 1977, he described SPARKLAB as a fulfillment of Swami’s vision, especially meaningful in the Centenary Year of Bhagawan Baba.
He pledged full support from the Sai Seva Organisations, emphasizing that SPARKLAB would stand apart due to its spiritual foundation and commitment to inner transformation.
Purpose with Perseverance: Insights from Sai Sudha Nunna
Sai Sudha Nunna, entrepreneur, mentor, and SPARKLAB Co-Chair, spoke from personal experience. Reflecting on her own entrepreneurial journey, she asked:
“Can I build something meaningful without giving up what matters—family, children, service?”
“Yes,” she answered with conviction.
She described SPARKLAB as a space not driven by hustle, but by clarity, discipline, and reflection, emphasizing that meaningful innovation comes from deep listening and consistent inner work.
The Roadmap Ahead: Keynote by Mr. NLS Murthy
Mr. NLS Murthy, Co-Chair of SPARKLAB and a technology industry veteran, unveiled the program’s structure. He called SPARKLAB a “structured yet personal accelerator” that encourages awareness and thoughtful decision-making over blind execution.
“The goal isn’t to launch every idea—it’s to arrive at a decision point with awareness,” he shared.
He presented the 8-week journey, including:
- Problem identification
- Design thinking
- Market research
- Mentorship & feedback
Participants will be supported through a mix of expert guidance, peer learning, and introspective inquiry.
Inspiration for the Journey: Divine Benediction
The session concluded with a powerful recorded message from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, reinforcing the values at the heart of SPARKLAB:
- Master the mind and live simply
- Serve selflessly and uphold discipline
- Respect parents and teachers
- Prioritize culture and values over material pursuits
This message remains the moral compass for every SPARKLAB participant.
The Beginning of a Sacred Experiment
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Sai Smaran summarized the collective emotion of gratitude and hope:
“The seed is sown, and from tomorrow, the growth begins.”
With that, SPARKLAB 1.0 was officially set in motion—poised to be not just a startup incubation program, but a sacred journey where innovation is guided by values, and every entrepreneur is an instrument of transformation.
Read MoreMillets meet Mission – SSSIHL Alumna Leads SSSRIF’s First Incubated Start-up
On 28 May 2025, the Sri Sathya Sai Research and Innovation Forum (SSSRIF) celebrated a significant milestone by welcoming its very first incubated start-up Saimeethya Foods Pvt Ltd, founded by SSSIHL alumna Dr. Sai Dharshini S (Food & Nutrition, Anantapur campus).
About Saimeethya Foods Pvt Ltd
Saimeethya Foods is on a mission to bring the power of millets to every table. The company creates millet-based, ready-to-eat products that transform both major and minor under-utilised millets into convenient, nutritious daily foods. Every formulation is rigorously validated for physicochemical quality, nutritional value, and shelf stability by the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, SSSIHL.
Why Millets Matter?
Despite their rich nutritional profile and sustainability, millets remain underrepresented in Indian diets. Saimeethya Foods addresses this gap by offering practical, tasty, and healthful millet options—perfectly aligned with our Founder Chancellor’s vision of promoting indigenous, wholesome foods.
The Launch Event
The formal incubation agreement was signed and exchanged by Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad (Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL and Chairman, SSSRIF) and Dr. Sai Dharshini (Founder, Saimeethya Foods Pvt Ltd) in the divine presence of our revered Founder Chancellor on 28 May 2025 at Prasanthi Nilayam.
The event was graced by:
- Prof. Pallav Kumar Baruah (President, SSSIHL-IIC)
- Mr. Pavan Kumar T. L. (CEO, SSSRIF)
- Mr. N. L. S. Murthy
- Members of the IIC team
- Several dedicated faculty mentors who played a pivotal role in shaping the venture
Cultivating a Healthier Tomorrow
This milestone embodies our commitment to incubating ventures that nourish lives, respect natural resources, and uphold Sai values in the marketplace. Saimeethya Foods is not just a business—it is a movement to make nutritious, sustainable food accessible, while carrying forward the ideals of our institution.
Welcome, Saimeethya Foods – May these grains and the goodness they represent reach far and wide.
🌟 SPARKLAB 1.0 Inaugural Ceremony | May 5, 6:00 PM IST
We warmly welcome you to the Inaugural Ceremony of #Sparklab – 2025 Cohort One, a unique initiative by the Institution’s Innovation Council at SSSIHL to be held on Monday, 5th May 2025. Join us Live on 5th May 2025 at 6:00 PM IST
This 8-week program brings together students, alumni, Sai Youth, and mentors from across the nation on a journey of purpose-driven innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery.
We look forward to your presence as we embark on this transformative journey.
Read More
🌟 SPARKLAB 1.0 – Mentors Meetup: Igniting the Spirit of Innovation
On a spirited evening, 30th April 2025, 9PM, filled with purpose and passion, mentors and trainers of SPARKLAB 2025 came together virtually in a vibrant “President’s Interaction” session hosted by the SSSIHL Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC). The gathering marked an important milestone in the university’s innovation journey, bringing together thought leaders, faculty experts, entrepreneurs, and professionals aligned by a shared mission — to nurture self-reliant, socially conscious innovators.
The session was graced by the presence of the President of SSSIHL, who shared words of wisdom and encouragement, emphasizing the university’s commitment to value-driven innovation and holistic mentorship. The President’s address served as a powerful reminder of the vision of Revered Founder Chancellor Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who envisioned youth as heroes of action dedicated to self-sacrifice and service to humanity.
📸 “The energy was palpable even in a virtual room. Smiles, nods, and shared excitement echoed the start of something transformative.”
🧭 Program Overview: SPARKLAB 1.0
SPARKLAB 1.0 is the flagship innovation development lab initiated under IIC@SSSIHL. With a mission to transform ideas into impact, it provides structured guidance, hands-on mentoring, and strategic training to selected student innovators.
The program Team IIC:
💡 The Mentorship Experience
Mentors are the backbone of SPARKLAB. During the session, key mentorship guidelines were discussed to ensure clarity of roles and effectiveness:
- Mentors are paired with 1–2 teams and are expected to meet weekly (virtually).
- Emphasis is placed on strategic thinking, early-stage validation, clarity in problem statements, and lean execution.
- The IIC will support scheduling, coordination, and documentation, allowing mentors to focus on coaching and collaboration.
An NDA-based mentorship agreement ensures intellectual property integrity and long-term engagement with SSSIHL’s innovation ecosystem.
🌐 A Dynamic Community
The session was a wonderful opportunity to interact with an impressive lineup of mentors including:
- Industry leaders and startup founders
- Academic experts and technologists
- Entrepreneurial visionaries committed to guiding the next generation
more mentors are in the process of onboarding. Interested? Get in Touch: [email protected]
🚀 What’s Next
As SPARKLAB 1.0 gears up for its May–June execution phase, mentors and trainers are ready to steer their assigned teams toward structured experimentation and impactful prototypes. The culminating Final Pitch Week in June will be a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and courage.
We extend our deepest gratitude to each mentor who has joined hands with the IIC. Your time, insight, and empathy will shape not just projects, but people.
Stay tuned for more updates from the SPARKLAB 1.0 journey.
Let’s build the future — together, with values and vision.
Read More
One-Day Hands-on Workshop : Attracting Investments for Research and Innovation
25th April 2025 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), SSSIHL, is organizing a one-day hands-on workshop on “Attracting Investments for Research and Innovation” on Friday, 25th April 2025, at the Multimedia Learning Centre, Prasanthi Nilayam.
The workshop will be led by Dr. Anand Govindaluri, Founder & CEO of Govin Capital, Singapore, and aims to provide valuable insights into securing venture capital funding and engaging with investors for research-driven innovations.
Schedule Highlights:
Session I (9:00 AM – 10:00 AM): Inaugural Session
Keynote Address: Attracting Venture Capital Funding to Scientific Research and Innovations
Session II (10:00 AM – 01:00 PM): Exclusive Hands-on Session
“One-slide presentations” by faculty researchers
Session III (03:00 PM – 04:00 PM): Concluding Session
Talk on Social and Scientific Innovations and Investors’ Dilemma, followed by an Open House
The workshop is open to all faculty members and research scholars of SSSIHL. Students are also welcome to attend.
Join us Live:
- Morning Session (9-10 a.m.): https://youtube.com/live/p-Um1VMFpvc?feature=share
- Evening Session (3-4 p.m.): https://youtube.com/live/-KPq8k3at9g?feature=share
Event Report
Cardiovascular Disease : Clogged Arteries could be Debilitating and Fatal
Uday Saxena | PhD (The author has spent the last 25 years researching cardiovascular and metabolic disease therapies. He was associated with the Team at Pfizer which discovered “Lipitor/Atorvastatin” the largest selling statin with peak sales of over seventeen billion dollars annually)
Introduction
Cardiovascular disease, which is manifested as a collection of outcomes such as heart attack, stroke and hypertension, is still the world’s largest killer of humans – twice as many people die of this disease relative to cancer. Several effective drugs in the late 1980s and early 1990 called statins were introduced. The statins did dramatically reduce death due to this disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels. But we still need newer therapies.
What causes cardiovascular disease?
Simply put, it is the clogging of critical arteries which stops blood supply to the organs such as heart, brain or kidneys which results in devastating outcomes. Let us understand how the arteries get clogged. The artery can get blocked due to build-up of fat and cholesterol in the form of a plaque, a physical lump, which then can block blood supply (see picture below of an artery which is clogged). Imagine a waterpipe supplying water in your home, and the pipe gets choked, then water supply is stopped. This is pretty much what happens when the artery clogs. If the artery supplying blood to the heart is blocked, it can cause a heart attack, if it is in the brain, it results in stroke, or if in the kidney artery, then it may cause high blood pressure or hypertension.
Causes
There are several risk factors for the build-up of plaque in your arteries. Let us split them into two buckets
Non-Modifiable
- Age – The clogging increases dramatically in later ages after about 40 years.
- Male gender is more prone than female although after menopause the risk is similar for females.
- Family history, meaning if your grandparents, parents, siblings or uncle or aunts had premature cardiovascular disease before 50 years, the risk is more.
Modifiable
- Smoking
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High fat and cholesterol diet
Obviously, nothing can be done about non-modifiable risk factors, but the focus of treatment is on modifiable factors.
Treatment
Low cholesterol, low-fat diet, and physical exercise are the first set of interventions for people at risk. The main preventive focus is on lowering your blood cholesterol levels. This is done using statins which are quite powerful at lowering your cholesterol. This alone can cut your risk of cardiovascular disease by 50%. Besides cholesterol, blood triglyceride (fat) levels and blood pressure are also lowered which cuts the risk even more. Similarly, diabetes is also controlled. To treat existing clogged arteries, interventional cardiology is used in the form of balloon angioplasty. In this, a fine tubing attached to an inflatable balloon, is inserted into the artery and then the balloon is inflated which literally blows the block away.
What’s coming?
Statins predispose patients to type 2 diabetes; so, a new set of non-statin drugs are being introduced called PCSK9 inhibitors. These are injectable drugs that lower cholesterol through a new mechanism of action and may not promote diabetes. From interventional cardiology perspective, robotic angioplasty is being used for precision; biodegradable and drug coated inert stents (tiny pieces of thimble-like structures) that keep arteries open and free of plaque build-up are also being used. 3D bioprinted lab grown patches of heart muscles are being tested to replace dead heart tissue and improve blood flow. An individual above 50 should get their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels tested annually and take a tread mill test (TMT) to stay on top of cardiovascular disease, especially if there is family history.
Read MoreDemocratising Healthcare with Innovative Solutions in India
Dr Anand Govindaluri | Founding Director & CEO Govin Capital, Singapore
The healthcare market globally is a massive and rapidly growing sector of the economy. The global healthcare market size was valued at USD 8.45 trillion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.5 per cent from 2021 to 2028 (Grand View Research, 2020). The healthcare industry in India is projected to reach $372 Bn by 2022, at a compound annual growth rate of 39 per cent. The healthcare industry in India comprises hospitals, medical devices, clinical trials, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance, and medical equipment (Investindia, 2022). One of the key challenges in the Indian healthcare market is that the doctor-to-patient ratio in India is relatively low compared to many other countries. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of 2021, the doctor-to-patient ratio in India was approximately 1:1456, which is below the global average of 1:1000. This problem can be addressed through public-private partnerships and the adoption of various digital technologies to deliver proper medical services to the patients in a distributed care model.
Rise of Artificial Intelligence and IOT: According to a report by Accenture, the AI healthcare market is projected to reach USD 6.6 billion by 2021 and grow at a CAGR of 40 per cent. AI helps to expedite medical imaging analysis, drug discovery, clinical decision support, patient monitoring, and virtual care. Since the pandemic, it has become abundantly clear how technology has the potential to significantly influence how healthcare facilities are designed, improved, and brought into the new digital era. This foretells us on how people manage their health will change as a result of telemedicine, predictive diagnostics, wearable sensors, and a plethora of new applications. It is heartening to hear that Amazon’s Echo, a voice-activated computer can respond to the name “Alexa” which is trained by the American Heart Association to recite life-saving instructions about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In addition, Alexa is learning other healthcare abilities, such as being a senior citizen’s companion and responding to queries about pediatric illnesses. It will soon assist doctors in taking notes, requesting scans, and reminding patients to take their medications. It is clearly evident that telemedicine, predictive diagnostics, wearable sensors, and a host of new apps will transform how people manage their health from here after.
Genomic Testing: The implementation of numerous preventative healthcare strategies is in high demand on a global scale. Advances in genomic biology are enabling doctors to provide personalised medicine tailored to a patient’s unique genetic makeup, especially in cancer and other chronic diseases. There is a growing demand for personalised, and precision medicine. Genetic tests would eventually become as cheap as standard blood tests with the reliance on technology and digital tools. This area can actas a viable tool in understanding drug sensitivity, multifactorial or any kind of medical conditions, and pharmacogenomics. Such a discovery will only further provide support to genome sequencing and allow specialists to get more insights into nutrition, genomics, and dietetics.
The global healthcare market size was valued at USD 8.45 trillion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5 per cent from 2021 to 2028
Skilling: While there is a paradigm shift in the curricula all across the globe, with the fast transforming world of technology, Universities, and Colleges are offering many courses like EHealth Management, for students to enhance their skills and competencies to learn, manage, understand, and apply advanced techniques in the healthcare industry. These futuristic programs combine electronic processes and communication strategies, bridging the gap between computers, health, and communications and enabling one to become specialist in the health and management sector.
Mental Health: The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, creating new opportunities and trends. The most fascinating trend is that there is a sizeable cost reduction while providing improved healthcare facilities. Post Covid health scenario has observed a massive rise in mental health issues. Therefore, organisations are gearing up to spread awareness and provide necessary support to the growing demand for mental health services. Healthcare providers offer services for mental health, such as telepsychiatry, counselling, and therapy. There is a dearth shortage and hence demands more mental health professionals, caregivers, and nursing resources to tackle the mental health challenges. The pandemic has disrupted daily life, led to social isolation, increased stress, & anxiety, and caused significant economic hardship, all of which have contributed to mental health issues. Governments, healthcare organisations, and mental health professionals around the world have recognised the need to prioritise mental health in the wake of the pandemic. Many countries have launched mental health campaigns and initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
Metaverse in Healthcare: Metaverse has the potential to transform healthcare by enabling virtual healthcare services, improving medical training and education, and providing new opportunities for remote patients or seekers of medical facilities. It is so heartening to see remote monitoring, providing health support, and clinical research becoming a reality. Though in its early stages, metaverse has the potential to revolutionise healthcare in several ways making life easier and affordable to all.
Robotics in Healthcare: Robots are used for surgical procedures, and also assist nurses in moving elderly patients and those with spinal cord diseases, among many other applications. Robotic companions benefit elderly people, lonely people, and even children with chronic ailments in the coming years. As technology advances, robotics in medicine will be used in more practical ways. Robotic systems are being developed using AI and Machine Learning in the performance of routine tasks which are now being done by skilled healthcare practitioners. This will free doctors to treat more patients with less time pressure, promoting a favorable outcome. Another medical model is the ability to pair objects in a computer-generated virtual world which can help to manipulate both objects at the same time – digital twins, the medical gadgets currently on the market, which are basically developed with the expectation that the final product is reliable for testing, and the results are generally trustworthy.
The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, creating new opportunities and trends. The most fascinating trend is that there is a sizeable cost reduction while providing improved healthcare facilities.
Conclusion
While there may be a whole lot of issues to tackle, one can easily know that the future of healthcare and wellness industry is progressing in the right direction where remote care is being delivered efficiently. In parts of North-East India, drones have made a way to deliver lifesaving medicines to the poorest of the poor in a timely manner. This transformation in rural healthcare serves as a powerful example of using technology for making healthcare accessible and affordable to the bottom of the population pyramid.
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