Could you tell us about the recent investment made by the Indian Angel Network in Consure Medical?
Consure Medical, a Delhi-based start-up company, has developed a new standard of care for the management of fecal incontinence in non-ambulatory patients. It has developed a novel, disruptive technology that will benefit more than 16 million patients in India and over 100 million patients worldwide. Consure has global applicability and IAN looks to help the company scale its business and enhance the global competitiveness.

We do think that medical devices vertical is an exciting space with tremendous potential. Angel investors like segments such as medical devices, where innovative products cater to large markets.

How do you see healthcare, life sciences, biotech and pharma sectors when it comes to investments?
The healthcare sector is nearly always number one or two in the top investment categories for angel investors. Looking at the scope in this sector, the number of start-ups is gradually increasing. Within the healthcare sector, medical devices dominated angel investment far exceeding pharmaceuticals, drugs and biotechnology. This sector is considered to be high risk and a high return one.

The healthcare industry in India is reckoned to be the engine of the economy in the years to come which encompasses healthcare instruments, healthcare in the retail market, hospitals enrolled to the hospital networks, among others.

How active has IAN been when it comes to investments in the healthcare, life sciences, biotech and pharma sectors?
IAN realizes the scope and opportunity in this segment and we have already invested in an oncology focused contract research organization, Karmic Lifesciences. Karmic provides concept to clinic services for new drugs as well as generics development and works for several global and domestic pharma clients and has experience of handling over 30 clinical studies.