In India, women only constitute a mere 12% in the manufacturing space. When it comes to manufacturing medical devices India is highly dependent on others. Over 70% of all medical devices needed in India are imported. Anu Moturi while travelling due to her work realised how many countries were lacking basic and affordable healthcare. 

Her frequent travels to China made her realise that what India is to the world of pharmacy, China is for the medical device segment. She decided to change this dominance of China on the Indian and other international markets. 

Her previous job at Ford Motor company had given her deep insights and learnings in the field of manufacturing and supply chain. With those learnings, she started Kriya Medical Technologies in 2012. They started their manufacturing journey from Chennai. 

This Chennai-based venture developed cutting-edge technologies and innovations in the field of biochemistry, diabetes and molecular diagnostics. They have developed professional blood glucose meter kits, Insulin syringes and Insulin Pen needles. By integrating their KRIVIDA Smart Sample Collection Devices, laboratories can then take care of all patient samples, track their moment from the point of collection to the end and then bring them further for processing. 

Their product KRIVIDA Novus, is an RT-PCR test priced at Rs 150 plus taxes that can detect the Omicron variant and its sub-lineages in 45 minutes. For it, they received a manufacturing licence from the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India). Their solutions are not only Made in India but also take care of the quality, time, affordability, accessibility, availability and safety. They also plan to make a digital platform that will help laboratories take full control of their patients’ samples.

The venture started with an investment of Rs 12 crore. In FY21, they made Rs 14.5 crore and aim to make Rs 28 crore by the next year. Their clientele includes Lal Path Labs, Thyrocare, Metropolis Healthcare and others. According to Tracxn, the venture has raised $461,000 so far. Will such women-led ventures help India go ‘Atmanirbhar’ in the highly dependent medical device sector?