Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
- Global Leadership in Molecular Diagnostics, Life Sciences & Bioinformatics: QIAGEN positions itself as the partner of choice and is now a leading figure in molecular testing in India and South Asia, supporting customers' end-to-end journey across various applications with a wide portfolio of molecular solutions.
- QIAGEN's commitment to accessible diagnostics: India and the surrounding region represent diverse market segments and customer profiles, but the common need is quality, accuracy, speed, and scalability in diagnostics. QIAGEN strategically collaborates with local and global stakeholders to ensure access.
- Technology & Innovation at the Forefront: QIAGEN is driving digitalization, AI integration, and cloud-based solutions to ensure innovation, quality, and cost-effectiveness while strategically adapting these technologies to the needs of diverse regions, positioning itself at the cusp of the genomics revolution.
- Building a Skilled & Adaptive Workforce: QIAGEN emphasizes upskilling its workforce in both technical and soft skills to navigate the fast-evolving healthcare landscape.
EF: Could you elaborate on QIAGEN’s presence in India and the role of this region for the company?
MJ: QIAGEN is one of the most recognized global brands in molecular biology and has become a trusted leader in molecular testing, with a strong presence in India and the region. Our solutions empower customers to advance scientific research, improve healthcare, and make a direct impact on people's lives. As the preferred partner for our clients, we support them throughout the entire molecular workflow, from the initial step to the final results, by delivering valuable insights.
The importance of molecular biology has never been greater. QIAGEN supports many customers, including research institutes, academic institutions, agricultural researchers, food testing, forensic labs, pharmaceutical & biotech companies, CROs, diagnostic labs, hospitals, global public health organizations, and national disease control programs across India and South Asia. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, we were amongst the earliest to collaborate with various stakeholders to launch nucleic acid extraction kits and automated solutions for COVID testing. QIAGEN is also one of the world’s largest bioinformatics companies, providing valuable digital insights.
In India, we also achieved several firsts, like introducing personalized testing for companion diagnostics related to cancer, latent TB testing (IGRA) to partner with the National TB Elimination Program, and deploying the HPV DNA test for cervical cancer screening by several cancer centres. Achievements like these have positioned QIAGEN as a leader in molecular technologies, making us the perfect partner of choice for our customers.
EF: Could you elaborate on your portfolio and share what excites you the most about it today?
MJ: Our portfolio includes nucleic acid extraction kits, allied chemistries, and automated solutions for various molecular biology applications, which are state-of-the-art and industry-leading. We have a strong presence in Tuberculosis Infection (TBI) testing with QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, cervical cancer screening with digene HC2 Technology, and personalized healthcare. We are also well-positioned for syndromic testing with QIAstat-Dx, which is crucial for addressing quick and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases when a patient is ill and time is of the essence or for emerging threats like monkeypox, etc. Additionally, QIAcuity, our digital PCR, and universal Next Generation Sequencing Solutions (uNGS) are crucial in driving the precision medicine revolution.
India and the region are at the cusp of adopting transformative technologies. India’s dynamic market, bolstered by rapid economic growth and government initiatives like "Make in India," is fostering local investment. The streamlined "single window" policy reduces bureaucratic hurdles, ensuring faster project implementation.
We are strategically positioned to make a difference, particularly in the fight against TB. The Indian government has ambitious goals in its commitment to eliminating TB, and we are a key partner for their TB Prevention efforts. Additionally, Our gold-standard cervical cancer testing solutions are making a significant impact through state-level screening programs. Our Universal NGS technologies have broad applications, from cancer and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to TB diagnosis and even wastewater management, and they are constantly evolving with new solutions.
We are also heavily investing in AI to accelerate decision-making, bring products to market faster, and better understand market needs. For instance, our syndromic testing solution for monkeypox was developed through market intelligence and digitization efforts. Our adaptable platforms allow us to scale across geographies, positioning us as the right company with the right solutions at the right time.
EF: How is QIAGEN balancing its market focus on cutting-edge healthcare innovations while also addressing the needs of underserved regions with cost-effective solutions?
MJ: India and South Asia represent a unique market with diverse segments and customer needs. Today’s customers prioritize quality, precision, accuracy, speed, and scalability, especially in infectious diseases & cancer, to ensure better patient management, where delays or misdiagnosis can drastically impact outcomes.
Diagnosis is the critical first step in making timely treatment decisions and setting the stage for recovery. While traditionally undervalued, testing is a powerful tool that enables early treatment and helps prevent more complex and costly interventions. It provides essential insights at every stage of care—from prevention to diagnosis and treatment—empowering doctors and patients to make informed, targeted decisions that can save lives and resources.
QIAGEN collaborates with national disease elimination and control programs, government bodies, WHO, UN agencies, and global NGOs across India and South Asia to democratize diagnostic testing by making it widely available. We focus on expanding affordable TB diagnostics with our Interferon-Gamma Release Assay for Latent TB infections. Syndromic testing also holds great potential, particularly in low-resource settings. Our Universal Next-Generation Sequencing (uNGS) innovations enhance disease testing in infectious diseases and cancer.
Our molecular extraction technologies are widely used in Indian labs, bringing advanced global diagnostics to local markets.
EF: Given India’s strong capabilities in IT and data analytics, how is QIAGEN leveraging this talent to drive innovation further in the digital healthcare space?
MJ: QIAGEN has made AI a top priority across all geographies, investing heavily in AI and data infrastructure to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving biotech space. We have established cloud-based data lakes to centralize data access, ensuring high-quality data is readily available for AI applications.
In line with this, we are digitizing processes to enhance efficiency, moving away from traditional paper-based systems. AI ambition workshops and our AI Academy globally are part of our ongoing effort to transform QIAGEN into a fully AI-enabled organization.
Our QIAGEN Digital Insights platform integrates genomic, phenotypic, and clinical data through advanced analytics, providing actionable insights that improve diagnostic accuracy and support precision medicine and biomarker discovery.
AI also helps us better understand market dynamics and customer behaviour, allowing us to tailor solutions to local needs, particularly in diverse regions like India and South Asia. Digital tools enhance efficiency and scalability, enabling us to deliver impactful solutions worldwide,
EF: India is known as the pharmacy of the world. What new nickname would you give the country, considering its development in the different healthcare fields?
MJ: India is continuing to be on the verge of the next new orbit driven by its bioinformatics expertise and growing healthcare infrastructure. With government support, private enterprise, and a pressing disease burden, the country is well-positioned to scale healthcare solutions quickly. I believe India is set to become the genomic capital or genomic powerhouse of the world within the next decade, thanks to this unique combination of resources, knowledge base, and talent leading to the genomic revolution.
EF: How open do you see the healthcare system in India to absorbing new technologies and their implementation?
MJ: When we entered India over a decade ago, genomic and proteomic technologies evolved in their chemistries and applications. Once customers realized their impact in research and clinical settings, growth surged. Our portfolio covers life sciences, translational research, and molecular diagnostics, using bioinformatics for actionable insights.
Compared to other regions, India’s rapid adoption of molecular technology is impressive, especially in infectious disease testing, cancer screening, syndromic testing, and digital PCR. Customers here quickly embrace innovation and develop localized solutions.
Since COVID, the number of molecular testing labs has skyrocketed from a few hundred to over several thousand. Over the next 5-7 years, I expect molecular technology adoption to accelerate even faster than in the past decade and have a profound impact on human life.
EF: How do you do to attract the brightest talent that is aligned with your mission and vision?
MJ: Having a great team means half the job is already done. At QIAGEN, we emphasize employee attraction, retention, and development through various initiatives about our strong vision and mission, performance potential mapping, enhancing skills, constant learning & development, and EMPOWERing to win. We offer a range of learning opportunities, including management courses, leadership programs, technical training, and job shadowing. Given the constant evolution of biology and the need to continuously enhance technical skills, we focus heavily on change management during these transformative times. This ensures we set clear expectations, recalibrate, and stay aligned with our goals to be the employer of choice.
Our cognitive diversity and inclusive programs promote strong personal and organizational growth. Empowering employees at every level is vital to fostering a strong business mindset.
Moreover, our induction program is also key to retaining talent and helping new team members understand the company's vision, mission, legacy, and growth ambitions, particularly in our region. We were proud to be certified as a Great Place To Work (2021-22) and regularly recognize and appreciate long-serving employees.
EF: After 12 years at this company, what achievement are you most proud of?
MJ: When I joined QIAGEN over 12 years ago, we were a small entity in this region. Today, we are proud to be ranked #1 or #2 in the segments we operate in. Over the years, our business transformation has been remarkable, particularly in life sciences and healthcare, where our work directly impacts human health.
QIAGEN has led efforts in both the public and private healthcare sectors, delivering differentiated, state-of-the-art solutions that meet customer needs.
We have made significant contributions to TB Infection testing, cancer testing (especially for cervical cancer), Infectious disease testing & Syndromic testing. QIAGEN in the region helped to address many of today’s pressing research and molecular diagnostics testing needs through our sample processing technologies, which also combined with finally giving the required actionable insights. During COVID-19, we swiftly provided extraction technologies that supported India in managing the pandemic.
It has been incredibly gratifying to witness how our molecular solutions have made a difference in patients' lives, advancing Science, enabling Human Identity, Forensic testing, and addressing global disease outbreaks. I am confident that the next decade will be even more exciting than the last.
EF: Do you have any final message?
MJ: The importance of the biotech industry has been even further amplified as the world raced to combat COVID-19. We are at the stage in human history—where technology and human knowledge are at the highest level—at which it has ever been. “Ours would be a healthier world if we seized the chance.” Seize the chance to increase investments in academia, BioPharma, diagnostic solutions, and public health systems. This will yield returns that can be measured across the spectrum, positively impacting human lives. Seize the chance to increase collaboration across stakeholders to accelerate the innovation cycle and deliver tailored solutions that will propel the ecosystem to make improvements in life possible. Globally, we are celebrating our 40th year, and this is a very special moment for us in our corporate history of creating timeless success over the years. The team at QIAGEN takes extreme pride in our presence in India and the region and would continue to integrate further in line with our local needs, developments, and growth. India is at the cusp of a Lifesciences, molecular, and genomic revolution, and we are ideally poised to partner at various levels by providing value to all on this remarkable journey of making improvements in life possible.
