Think.

Written by Dr. Subhadip Banerjee, Founder MetaspeQ

India, often referred to as the “world’s pharmacy,” is a global leader in pharmaceutical production, supplying affordable medicines to billions across the globe. However, this reputation is under threat. According to the World Health Organization, one in ten medical products in developing countries is substandard. Even more alarming are the recent reports suggesting that 65% of drugs manufactured by Indian MSMEs are not of standard quality. Such statistics are not just numbers; they represent a significant public health risk and a potential loss of trust in Indian pharmaceutical products.

In the face of these challenges, the Indian pharma industry needs to adopt innovative and efficient quality control technologies that can help restore and reinforce its global reputation. This is where Near-Infrared (NIR) technology, coupled with AI-driven solutions, emerges as a game-changer. Enter MetaspeQ™—a deep-tech startup that is pioneering the next generation of quality analysis with its NIR systems.

Revolution in Quality Control with AI based NIR spectroscopy

AI-based NIR spectroscopy is revolutionizing quality control in the pharmaceutical industry by providing rapid, non-invasive analysis with unparalleled accuracy. This technology drastically reduces costs and time by eliminating the need for extensive sample preparation and consumables. By integrating AI, it enables real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, ensuring consistent quality and boosting overall productivity.

We are thrilled to introduce our groundbreaking solution, Metaspeq™, designed to enhance efficiency and intelligence in pharmaceutical quality control. Leveraging the power of NIR spectroscopy and artificial intelligence, Metaspeq™ is set to accelerate routine quality control processes, particularly in QA/QC of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.

Traditional quality control processes in the pharmaceutical industry, such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), are time-consuming, expensive, and require skilled manpower. HPLC, while accurate, involves complex standard operating procedures, extensive sample preparation, and the use of costly consumables, making it less suitable for high-throughput production environments.

Metaspeq™ offers a suite of portable and desktop NIR systems that are five times more efficient in terms of cost and speed, with accuracy that rivals HPLC. Our NIR technology eliminates the need for sample preparation, making it 22 times faster and 90% cheaper in terms of running costs. Its non-invasive, user-friendly design ensures that even non-experts can easily perform quality monitoring, authentication, and quantification of pharmaceutical products.

This revolutionary approach to quality control is not just a theoretical concept. Recently, Metaspeq™ successfully demonstrated its technology at GSK in Mumbai—a significant milestone for our startup. GSK, a leader in the Indian pharmaceutical market, is keenly aware of the need for advanced quality control solutions. The positive reception of Metaspeq™ at GSK underscores the immense potential of our technology to transform the industry.

Rethinking Quality Control Challenges in Indian Pharma

Inadequate and inefficient quality control is a significant concern for Indian pharma manufacturers, often leading to increased production costs, product failures, and damage to market reputation. This issue is especially pronounced in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up a significant portion of the Indian pharma sector. These businesses often lack the resources to implement sophisticated quality control systems, resulting in significant productivity losses and turnover declines. Through extensive market research, including interviews with pharma production and QA/QC lab managers, we identified the pressing need for time-efficient, cost-effective, and easy-to-use quality control systems. Metaspeq™ addresses these challenges head-on by offering a solution that is both affordable and highly effective.

The Future of Pharma Quality Control: Industry 4.0

The future of pharmaceutical manufacturing lies in the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies—where real-time data, predictive analytics, and automation come together to create a smarter, more agile production environment. Metaspeq™ is at the forefront of this transformation, with ongoing development in In-Line Process Control and our Software as a Service (SAAS) platform.

Our SAAS offering provides sustainability and flexibility, enabling multiple quality parameters to be checked simultaneously. This real-time quality assessment capability ensures batch consistency, reduces waste, and enhances overall productivity. By incorporating IoT and AI, we are delivering a solution that is not only advanced but also scalable and user-friendly.

A Call for Collaboration and Strategic Support

As we continue to refine and expand our technology, we are seeking strategic support from industry leaders to conduct pilot phase testing. We believe that with the right partnerships, Metaspeq™ can set a new standard in pharmaceutical quality control. As an Indian deeptech startup, it has been an extremely uphill journey to develop this technology. Thanks to Padup Ventures and IHFC, IIT-Delhi for their support.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MetaspeQ™ represents the future of pharmaceutical quality control in India. Our success at GSK is just the beginning. We invite all stakeholders in the pharma industry to join us in this journey towards a future where quality meets productivity, ensuring safe, effective, and affordable healthcare for all.

Let’s go hand in hand with Ayudyog Pvt. Ltd. to transform our world—where the reputation of Indian pharma is not just restored but elevated to new heights.