Servier India, the Indian subsidiary of French pharmaceutical group Servier, has launched a comprehensive biomarker testing initiative in partnership with genomic laboratories MedGenome and Strand Life Sciences to enhance molecular diagnostic access for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) throughout India.
Addressing Critical Diagnostic Gaps
The initiative introduces customized biomarker testing panels at subsidized rates for healthcare professionals across both private and government healthcare sectors. As a cornerstone of the program, IDH1 and IDH2 mutation testing—key genetic markers essential for treatment decision-making—will be provided free of charge to government sector facilities.
This intervention addresses significant cost barriers in molecular diagnostics. Private laboratories currently charge between ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 for molecular testing in AML cases, depending on the genetic panel's scope. For cholangiocarcinoma patients, testing costs in private hospitals range from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh, creating substantial financial obstacles for many patients.
Disease Burden and Regional Variations
Acute myeloid leukemia represents an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer that disrupts normal blood cell formation. According to government data, the disease affects an estimated two to three people per 100,000 population annually in India, with approximately 3,000 new cases reported each year in major cities like Delhi. While more prevalent in older adults, AML can occur across all age groups.
Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare but aggressive bile duct malignancy, presents particular diagnostic challenges due to its tendency to remain undetected until advanced stages, attributed to vague or non-specific symptoms. Government data reveals significant regional variations in incidence rates across India, ranging from approximately 0.8 per 100,000 in southern regions to nearly nine per 100,000 in northern states such as Delhi.
Strategic Partnership and Implementation
The collaboration leverages the specialized genomic research and diagnostic capabilities of MedGenome and Strand Life Sciences to expand molecular testing infrastructure nationwide. This partnership focuses on identifying specific genetic mutations and alterations associated with both AML and cholangiocarcinoma, enabling healthcare providers to implement targeted therapeutic approaches.
"Access to timely and precise diagnosis should not depend on where a patient lives or what they can afford," stated Aurelien Breton, Managing Director of Servier India. "In cancers such as AML and CCA, early molecular testing supports informed treatment decisions and may impact survival outcomes. This collaboration helps bring such testing closer to patients across India."
Precision Oncology Integration
The testing initiative operates under Servier's broader Servier Care patient-support program, which provides eligible patients with financial assistance, free drug support, and subsidized diagnostics. Pratima Tripathi, Commercial Director – Oncology at Servier India, emphasized that "precision oncology begins with precision diagnosis."
"Identifying key genetic mutations is critical to guiding treatment decisions. Through this initiative, we aim to integrate advanced biomarker testing into routine oncology practice, enabling physicians to make evidence-based decisions and improving patient outcomes," Tripathi explained.
Healthcare System Coordination
The program emphasizes strengthening coordination across the healthcare delivery chain to ensure effective diagnostic access. Aliasgar Patanwala, Market Access Lead at Servier India, highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches: "Our focus is on strengthening coordination between laboratories, clinicians and patient pathways, ensuring these connections translate into timely action for doctors and patients."
This initiative represents Servier's commitment to advancing precision oncology and promoting equitable access to cancer care across India's diverse healthcare landscape, particularly targeting patients in regions outside major urban centers where diagnostic resources may be limited.
