Dfine Bioinnovations Pvt. Ltd. (DBI), a Bangalore-based medtech startup founded in December 2020, designs, develops, and manufactures indigenous, cost-effective medical diagnostic devices for small- and mid-size clinical laboratories across global markets. With a sharp focus on in vitro diagnostics (IVD) and point-of-care testing (POCT), the company has introduced the FibriTimer Zeta-1, a semi-automatic coagulation analyzer, and is actively advancing its next-generation platform, the Zeta-2 analyzer.
Backed by ISO 13485:2016 and ZED certifications and holding CDSCO manufacturing licenses, DBI adheres to rigorous quality and regulatory standards. In parallel, the company manufactures high-performance consumables compatible with a wide range of analyzers, thereby strengthening laboratory reliability and workflow continuity. Incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and recognized through multiple industry accolades, the company brings together deep clinical, engineering, and operational expertise. Collectively, this enables DBI to enhance diagnostic efficiency and elevate patient care through accessible, affordable innovation.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World at Medical Fair India 2026, Anuj Kushwaha, Director – Product & Operations, Dfine Bioinnovations Pvt. Ltd., offers a detailed perspective on the company’s innovative healthcare products and the critical diagnostic challenges they address. He further shares insights into export markets and pricing strategies, while outlining the company’s product roadmap for the next five to ten years.
The following sections capture the key takeaways from this incisive and forward-looking conversation.
Q: Could you elaborate on the innovative healthcare products developed by Dfine Bioinnovations and the specific problems they are designed to address?
A: The COVID-19 pandemic starkly exposed the fragility of India’s medical infrastructure, particularly its heavy dependence on imported diagnostic equipment. In response, we asked a fundamental question: why should India rely on external markets when it has the capability to design and manufacture its own medical devices? With that conviction, we set out to reduce import dependency by building high-quality, indigenous diagnostic solutions.
We began this journey during the COVID period. Five years later, we developed India’s first semi-automated coagulation analyzer. Until then, the Indian market relied entirely on imports from China and Europe. We changed that paradigm. As the first company to design and manufacture this device domestically, we secured a patent and formally launched the product in April 2024. Since its launch, we have sold approximately 400 units and have received strong interest from multiple international markets.
As a result, we are now preparing to commence exports. India will no longer remain only a consumer of indigenous medical devices; it will emerge as a global supplier. For us, this represents a defining and deeply rewarding milestone. In parallel, we are expanding our portfolio by introducing additional products to support a broader range of diagnostic tests.
To sustain this momentum, we have established a robust R&D team and a fully integrated manufacturing facility in Bangalore. However, to scale further, we seek targeted government support—particularly for infrastructure expansion, access to growth-stage funding, and export facilitation. With the right policy and financial backing, we can accelerate global outreach and position Indian-made diagnostic devices competitively across international markets.
Q: Do you currently export your products, and if so, which markets are you serving?
A: We have already shipped our first batch of products to North America, including Mexico, marking a significant step in our international expansion. At the same time, we have received multiple inquiries from Sri Lanka and the Middle East. To further strengthen our global presence, we are also participating in a major industry event in Dubai this year, where we expect to generate additional international interest.
However, entering these markets requires country-specific safety and regulatory certifications. We are actively progressing through these certification processes. In parallel, we have dispatched the initial batch to North America specifically for validation and performance testing.
Meanwhile, we are working toward completing all required certifications. Once finalized, we will transition to full-scale commercial operations across these international markets.
Q: In a price-sensitive market like India, what pricing strategies do you adopt to remain competitive against imported alternatives?
A: For more than fifteen years, we have worked closely with diagnostic laboratories. As a result, we understand our customers: what they need, how they operate, and the constraints they face. That insight shapes every design and pricing decision we make.
In India, affordability alone is not the defining factor. Operating conditions vary widely, especially in rural and remote regions. Many laboratories function with unreliable or inconsistent power supply. Imported instruments rarely account for these realities. Designed primarily for urban, infrastructure-rich environments, they often fail to perform reliably outside those settings.
We recognized this gap early. Accordingly, we optimized our pricing while engineering our devices for Indian conditions. To address power instability, we supply a UPS adapter with the system. This enables laboratories to operate the device continuously for up to five hours without interruption, even during power outages. In doing so, we ensure reliability, continuity, and usability, regardless of location.
Q: What new product developments are you planning over the next five to ten years?
A: Over the next five years, we will maintain a singular and deliberate focus on coagulation diagnostics. Coagulation parameters are clinically critical, particularly for patients undergoing surgery, as they directly inform treatment decisions and surgical readiness. Recognizing this importance, we have chosen to concentrate deeply on this segment rather than dilute our efforts across multiple domains.
Currently, our portfolio includes semi-automated coagulation systems. Going forward, we will progressively introduce higher levels of automation within this category. Through this phased advancement, we aim to strengthen performance, improve workflow efficiency, and elevate clinical reliability.
Above all, our objective is to build a globally recognized brand in coagulation diagnostics. We want Dfine Bioinnovations to be synonymous with excellence in this field worldwide. This remains our primary strategic focus. Once we establish leadership and scale in coagulation over the next five years, we will then expand into additional diagnostic segments in a measured and deliberate manner.
