The Context:
The evolution of the human body is the result of a complex series of events that have determined our genetic composition over time. Walking upright from bipedalism allowed us to migrate continents, discovery of fire enlarged our brains, create tools, hunt larger prey, and invent agriculture. Our genetic composition continues to weave a tangled web, for good and for bad. This genetic velocity continues till this day, at a time when humans have largely solved for food security, being hunted, water, etc. our bodies remain both guarded against primitive ailments but vulnerable against today’s challenges.
Sometimes, this genetic velocity exceeds its function. The cells in our body become abnormal, and instead of reacting to threats, start multiplying the threat. This unfortunate phenomenon is called Cancer. A plague that has troubled mankind for time unknown. While history almost always provides a solution for adaptation and survival of the human gene, the cure for cancer remains unknown. Entire generations have been dedicated in its pursuit of a cure, but vulnerabilities still showcase little breakthrough. Closer to home, in India, our history with chronic and lifestyle diseases paints an even bleaker picture.
True hope has no room for delusion
Each year, 1.4 million new cancer cases are detected, and with 1 in 9 Indians likely to develop cancer in their lifetime, the magnitude of this issue cannot be overstated. Yet India’s cancer care infrastructure remains deeply inadequate. Moreover, treating cancer isn’t cheap and comes at a life-altering financial burden for most Indians. Low and middle class India is particularly disadvantaged at this level - of both access to treatment and affordability of treatment.
Accessibility to comprehensive cancer care is practically non-existent in India - 70% of districts lack comprehensive cancer centers of any reasonable magnitude, forcing millions of people to travel to bigger cities in the hope of any glimmer of resolution. Instead, they are met with waiting times that can extend up to 12-18 months, high patient loads, and inadequate staffing of medical professionals.
India is at an inflection point where the democratization of its healthcare system (both private and public) has the ability to succeed with the right set of solutions. Solutions that solve for accessibility and affordability of quality care.
Introducing OnCare:
OnCare is a cancer care clinical chain that operates specialized oncology centers within underutilized hospital capacities to provide affordable and accessible treatments.
Addressing Supply Gap
OnCare bridges the gap between demand and availability by partnering with 50-100 bedded hospitals to create dedicated oncology wings. These centers are designed to cater to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgical procedures, ensuring every patient receives quality care in a compassionate environment. With key criteria like hospital capacity utilization, diagnostic infrastructure, and insurance empanelment, OnCare ensures its centers meet all patient needs.
Doctors you can trust
Cancer treatment in India is plagued with low–trust on medical professionals. OnCare carefully selects its oncologists, focusing on experience and reputation. By partnering with doctors who have extensive experience from institutions like AIIMS and TMH, the patient’s confidence in their care is built from the moment they step in. Medical staff receive ongoing training not only in technical procedures but also in soft skills, ensuring they can provide both professional and emotional support throughout the treatment process.
Designed for Patient Comfort
At OnCare, patient experience is everything. Each center is empathetically designed, from pre-admission protocols to in-treatment care. Patients are assigned a care coordinator who helps them navigate pricing, logistics, and consultations, reducing any anxiety related to the process. Insurance support is also offered to minimize Out of Pocket expenses.
Truly Affordable Cancer Care
What truly sets OnCare apart is its low-cost model. By keeping capital expenditure (capex) at a minimum—operating on a lease model—OnCare can price its treatments up to 40% lower than larger private hospitals. Whether it's chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgery, patients receive high-quality care without the premium price tag.
The Market:
The oncology market in India is on the cusp of remarkable growth, driven by a confluence of factors that are reshaping the healthcare landscape. As cancer cases continue to rise and the demand for accessible, high-quality treatment options grows, the market is projected to expand significantly, creating new opportunities and challenges for healthcare providers.
Growth Drivers:
The oncology market in India is anticipated to expand by US$ 947.84 million between 2022 and 2027, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.45%. This growth is driven by several key factors:
- Rising Cancer Incidence: India is expected to see a 12% increase in cancer cases by 2025, fueled by an aging population, lifestyle changes, and increased exposure to carcinogens. This surge in cases underscores the urgent need for expanding treatment capacity.
- Increasing Healthcare Spending: With healthcare spending in India expected to rise from 4.2% of GDP in 2020 to 5.5% by 2025, driven by both government initiatives and private sector investment, the oncology sector is also poised for significant expansion. This increased investment will support the development of new facilities, technologies, and services, making cancer care more accessible.
Competitive Landscape:
The Indian oncology market is highly fragmented, dominated by a mix of government institutes, private players, and standalone cancer centers. However, the landscape is shifting:
- Consolidation Trends: There is a growing trend of consolidation, with larger hospital chains and healthcare companies expanding their oncology offerings. This consolidation is likely to create more standardized and efficient care pathways, though it may also heighten competition.
- Scope for Intermediaries: Multi-specialty mid-sized hospitals (up to 200 beds) have traditionally avoided establishing specialized oncology departments due to the complexity of treatments and lack of curated positioning. However, there is significant potential for intermediaries to step in, acquire under-utilized capacity within these hospitals, and operate medical and surgical oncology treatments.
Awareness is the key:
Awareness is a critical, yet often overlooked, component of cancer care. Despite the growing number of cases, awareness about cancer causes, risk factors, and the importance of early detection remains uneven across different types of cancer. While there is relatively high awareness of tobacco-related cancers in India, knowledge about other common cancers, such as cervical cancer, remains low. This gap in awareness can delay diagnoses and thus reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Increasing awareness benefits all stakeholders in the long run.
The Team:
In order to build a healthcare brand at scale, two of the most important core competencies that we look for within the founding team is the ability to create an immaculate patient experience and string the elements of demand & supply to build and maintain healthy unit economics centrally. Deepak and Amar have led patient demand and hospital supply at Pristyn Care over the past few years, respectively. Additionally, the team boasts of a senior medical oncologist within the founding team to ensure medical excellence at par with top private hospitals. The duo comes with a tenable obsession for patient experience and are creating an uncompromised institution to deliver quality cancer care that is accessible across stratas.
Fast Forward to 2030:
Cancer is a painful inevitability - a ticking time bomb, and as the incidence of it continues to rise, the need for affordable, high-quality treatment options for the middle-income bracket is becoming more urgent than ever. We foresee Oncare to set a new standard for operational efficiency and patient-centric oncology care, improving outcomes and quality of life for countless families across the nation. By leveraging existing infrastructure and providing comprehensive care, OnCare will demonstrate that it is possible to deliver world-class cancer treatment without exorbitant costs. This success will not only alleviate the cancer burden in India but will also inspire a new wave of entrepreneurs to develop specialized solutions for many diseases, further transforming the healthcare landscape.
