Abbott bets big on India with cutting-edge healthcare innovations and digital solutions

US-based healthcare and medical device major Abbott Laboratories will focus on improving access to new health solutions and technologies for Indian patients, Ambati Venu, Vice President of Abbott’s Indian subsidiary, Abbott India, said.

“One of our latest innovations, launched recently in India, is the AVEIR VR pacemaker for people who experience slower-than-normal heart rhythms. This is the world’s only leadless pacemaker with a unique mapping capability to assess correct positioning prior to placement and the longest projected battery life. While traditional pacemakers require a chest incision, this device is implanted via a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure through the groin. It marks a significant advancement in patient care, bringing new features to treating physicians,” Venu said. Given that cardiovascular diseases like heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) form a major component of the chronic disease burden in India, this technology is expected to improve patient outcomes.

According to Venu, Abbott India is also exploring new treatments for chronic conditions with biosimilars. “These are medicines similar to original biologics, which are advanced remedies made from living organisms. Biosimilars are usually more affordable, especially for long-term use. In recent years, we’ve launched seven biosimilars in areas like cancer, bone health, and heart care in India,” he said.

In an email response to Fortune India, Venu said Abbott also continues to drive innovation and provide high-quality products in its established brands. “With the focus on digital innovation in India, healthcare companies, patients, and healthcare professionals need to collaborate effectively. Abbott is in a unique position to help connect these groups with our diverse portfolio, offering solutions across the continuum of care. Our holistic approach, which encompasses consumer education, diagnosis, innovative treatment pathways, connected care devices, and solutions for medicine adherence, will enable us to serve many patients well into the future,” he said.

Abbott’s Pharmaceuticals Innovation & Development Centre in Mumbai serves as a global hub, supporting over 30 countries with cutting-edge solutions. Its Diabetes Care tech hub manages software and global tech support for its FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system. Its Mumbai-based data science and analytics team drives business intelligence, clinical trial design, and product surveillance for cardiovascular projects globally.

One of the largest healthcare companies in India, Abbott sells a wide range of products, including medicines, nutrition, medical devices, and diagnostics, in the domestic market. In the pharmaceutical sector, the company has a presence in 90% of therapeutic areas, with nine of its brands ranking among the top 50 in the Indian Pharma Market (IPM).