In the rapidly evolving landscape of cancer treatment, genomic data is redefining possibilities. By decoding a tumour’s unique genetic makeup, doctors can now offer precision medicine—tailored therapies that target specific mutations, moving beyond the conventional one-size-fits-all approach.
However, much of the world’s genomic research remains Western-centric, limiting its effectiveness in diverse populations like India. Addressing this gap is 4baseCare, a Bengaluru-based precision oncology company committed to making cancer care personal, inclusive, and locally relevant.
Bridging the Genomic Diversity Gap
“Every cancer has a story—a story told by DNA, shaped by biology, and influenced by environment,” said Hitesh Goswami, Co-founder of 4baseCare, at the launch of the company’s Precision Oncology Advanced Genomics Laboratory in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru.
The state-of-the-art lab, inaugurated by Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, marks a milestone in India’s precision medicine journey. The event also saw the launch of the Global Cancer Diversity Atlas, a bold initiative to highlight the underrepresented genomic profiles of cancer patients from across the globe.
Tailoring Cancer Solutions for Indian Patients
With this new facility, 4baseCare is building cutting-edge diagnostic tools tailored for Indian and South Asian populations. Their goal: deliver customised cancer care based on the unique biological footprints of different cancer types.
“Our mission is to make genomic testing and precision oncology both accessible and meaningful for every individual battling cancer,” Goswami said.
From Insight to Impact: The Power of Genomic Testing
Genomic testing works like a flashlight, helping scientists piece together the puzzle of each tumour’s mutation profile. In lung cancer, this approach has been particularly successful, with actionable mutations found in about 65% of patients. However, in rarer cancers—like sarcomas or head and neck cancers—the figure drops below 20%.
4baseCare is addressing this variability by creating custom gene panels that include 1,200 genes, 600 of which have been identified as especially relevant to the Indian population.
“Because we design our own panels, we avoid third-party IP premiums and distribution costs,” Goswami explained. “This allows us to reduce costs and improve relevance for Indian and South-East Asian patients.”
Innovative Tools: OncoTwin and Beyond
Taking innovation a step further, 4baseCare is developing OncoTwin Insights, a novel tool powered by a proprietary Twin Match algorithm. This system identifies ‘twin’ patients—those with similar clinical-genomic profiles—to guide more effective treatment decisions.
“When genomic data comes to us, we don’t just process the genes—we match it with previous cases,” Goswami said. “This helps us understand how similar patients have responded to treatments, offering deeper insights for oncologists.”
Making Precision Medicine Affordable and Scalable
A critical part of 4baseCare’s strategy is affordability. The company has already conducted genomic testing for 20,000 patients, and now it is working to expand access through strategic partnerships. One major initiative is the collaboration with AIIMS Jammu to establish the Center for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine.
Joining the event virtually, Dr. Shakti Gupta, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu, stressed the impact of this initiative: “We are drastically reducing the cost of genomic testing—from as low as ₹15,000 to ₹1 lakh. This enables timely and equitable access to life-saving diagnostics.”
A Vision for Inclusive, Data-Driven Cancer Care
Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, said, “If you’re well connected with insurance providers, patients won’t have to bear the full cost. We must learn from global best practices on how to drive down costs through strategic partnerships.” Also in attendance were Ganapathy Subramaniam (Yali Capital), Rajan Anandan (Peak XV Partners), and 4baseCare co-founder Kshitij Rishi, underscoring investor confidence in the company’s vision.
Looking Ahead: Local Science with Global Impact
By developing India-centric tools and lowering the cost of access, 4baseCare is not only democratising precision medicine but also establishing India as a hub for genomic innovation in oncology. As reported by thesouthfirst.com, their work reflects a powerful shift—one where every cancer patient’s story is heard, understood, and acted upon using the best of science and empathy.