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Dr. Nandini Rao on building Vitalis Pharma's women-led R&D bench

Vitalis's research chief explains how she doubled the share of women scientists and what it changed in the lab.

By Sana Qureshi

6 min read

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Portrait of a pharma executive in a glass office
Portrait of a pharma executive in a glass office. Photo: Health Insider

Vitalis's research chief explains how she doubled the share of women scientists and what it changed in the lab. The development is being closely watched across the leadership ecosystem, where executives say decisions made over the next two quarters will shape budgets well into 2028.

People familiar with the matter told Health Insider that the shift has been building for months, driven by rising costs, tighter regulatory scrutiny and a growing expectation from patients and payers that providers demonstrate measurable outcomes.

Why it matters

For hospital leaders, the change touches procurement, clinical workflows and how performance is reported to boards. For investors, it signals where the next wave of capital is likely to flow. And for patients, the impact will be felt in access, waiting times and out-of-pocket costs.

“Healthcare in India is moving from volume to value faster than most people expected. The organisations that measure what matters will pull ahead.”
Senior executive at a hospital group

What happens next

  • Industry bodies are expected to submit recommendations in the coming weeks.
  • Early adopters will publish their first results by the end of the financial year.
  • Smaller providers are seeking a longer transition window.

Health Insider will continue to track the story. Readers with information can reach the newsroom confidentially through the contact page.

Sana Qureshi

Leadership Editor

Sana interviews the executives, clinicians and policymakers shaping healthcare's agenda.

Hosts the Health Insider Leadership Series

Health Insider follows a strict editorial policy. Spotted an error? Write to editorial@healthinsiderindia.com.

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