What strategic role will the new Radiology R&D Hub in Bangalore play in Bayer’s global innovation roadmap for radiology?
The Bengaluru R&D India Hub is a significant addition to Bayer’s Radiology R&D global network and underscores our commitment to advancing innovation in radiology through science, data and digital technologies. India will play a pivotal role in enhancing our software, AI and connectivity capabilities that form the foundation of the next generation of diagnostic imaging. The centre will deliver sustainable solutions that will strengthen Bayer’s software capabilities in data, workflow solutions, connectivity, and medical devices. The India Hub will work closely with our R&D sites in Pittsburgh, Berlin and Sydney, ensuring seamless collaboration and fast innovation cycles. By combining India’s digital strengths with Bayer’s domain expertise, we aim to bring customer-centric radiology solutions to global markets, with agility and scale, supporting our purpose that everybody deserves clear answers about their health.
Can you share some investment details and USP of new Radiology R&D Hub in Bangalore?
The India Hub will focus on development of software for our injection systems for contrast media, validation and verification of our injectors & AI-based innovation with the goal to improve imaging precision, workflow efficiency and function as a Lab that supports our CT, CV and MR modalities along with our latest product platforms. The site will also support the continued development of Bayer’s platform for healthcare AI development (AI Innovation Platform – AIIP) built on Google Cloud technology which aims to accelerate the creation of secure, scalable and regulatory-compliant AI-powered applications. The combination of domain expertise and digital capability positions the Bengaluru India Hub as a cornerstone for future-ready healthcare technologies.
How do you look at the Indian market for this new R&D Hub, and what specific strengths does the Bangalore ecosystem bring to Bayer’s radiology research and development?
India offers an exceptional combination of healthcare expertise, engineering capability and digital innovation. Bengaluru, in particular, has a thriving ecosystem of experienced medical device software engineers, AI researchers, healthcare startups and academic collaborations that is in line with Bayer’s approach of open innovation. The local talent pool brings deep knowledge of experience working in the Medical Devices area. Establishing a Radiology R&D presence here allows Bayer to tap into this ecosystem, co-develop digital solutions, and contribute to both global and India-relevant healthcare advancements.
Could you share the key research and technology focus areas that the India Hub will work on, especially in the context of global radiology trends?
India Hub of Radiology R&D will start first with ensuring that our established marketed portfolio of injection devices is continuously meeting the needs of the radiology customers and will heavily contribute to solving the radiology industry’s challenges such as workflow optimisations. Additionally, we will focus on the India Hub working on enhancing our connectivity offering across our medical device portfolio, including cloud related solutions.
How will the Hub integrate with Bayer’s existing global R&D network to drive innovation in diagnostic imaging and software solutions?
The India Hub will work closely with our R&D sites in Pittsburgh, Berlin and Sydney, ensuring seamless collaboration and fast innovation cycles. We aim to bring customer-centric radiology solutions to global markets, with agility and scale.
With radiology becoming increasingly digital, how do you envision software development shaping the future of diagnostic imaging and patient care?
With an ageing population, chronic diseases on the rise, and technical advancements, the number of medical imaging procedures and resulting data volumes are increasing. Radiology has always been at the forefront of innovation in terms of technology and its early adoption, and new software developments are transforming radiology by enabling faster, more accurate and more connected diagnosis. We believe intelligent software will define the future of imaging from image acquisition and data analysis to clinical decision-making. Our R&D teams will focus on algorithm development, data analytics and workflow integration. Through these efforts, we aim to empower radiologists with tools that improve accuracy, efficiency and speed, eventually leading to better patient outcomes.
How will the Bangalore hub contribute to advancing AI and data-driven solutions in radiology?
Radiology is facing a lot of challenges today: an increasing number of medical imaging procedures need to be handled while many clinics are facing shortages of trained staff. AI holds the potential to alleviate those pressures. At the same time, healthcare AI development requires high-quality data to train algorithms, and a secure & scalable development environment for collaboration and documentation. Bayer is committed to driving innovation in healthcare AI, empowering researchers, scientists, and startups to develop new AI-powered healthcare tools, with the goal of providing safer and more efficient solutions to patients in response to an evolving healthcare landscape. The India Hub will help drive these efforts and the AI Innovation Platform (AIIP) is an example of the same.
Will the newhub foster collaborations with local healthcare institutions, startups, or academic centers in India? If so, in what ways?
Collaboration is fundamental to Bayer’s innovation model. We aim to collaborate with leading Indian academic institutions, research organisations and healthcare startups to explore AI, data analytics, and imaging informatics. Such collaborations will help us leverage local expertise, test new concepts, and co-create scalable digital health solutions that serve both India and global markets. The India Hub can help create a bridge between global R&D and India’s growing digital health landscape, helping transform how data and technology are used to improve patient outcomes.
How does Bayer plan to attract and nurture specialised talent in radiology and software R&D in India?
We are building a diverse, multidisciplinary team of engineers, software developers and domain experts who share our passion for innovation and impact. The India Hub offers an opportunity for talent in India to work on global projects that shape the future of diagnostic imaging. Bayer fosters a culture of learning, collaboration and purpose-driven science, enabling our teams to continuously develop their skills while contributing to healthcare solutions that benefit patients worldwide.
From a clinical and patient-care perspective, what kinds of challenges or gaps in radiology are you aiming to address through this center?
Radiology faces growing challenges from increasing imaging volumes to workflow complexity and limited time for clinicians. Through our R&D efforts in Bengaluru, we aim to develop tools that enhance productivity, improve system interoperability, and streamline clinical workflows. The objective is to empower radiologists to focus on interpretation and patient interaction while technology takes care of repetitive tasks. This is how we see digital innovation improving the quality and efficiency of care delivery.
Beyond devices, radiology today faces workflow, efficiency and connectivity challenges that directly impact healthcare delivery. How is the India Hub positioned to develop solutions that go beyond technology and address these system-level needs?
At Bayer, we believe radiology innovation must go beyond devices to address the entire ecosystem — data, connectivity, and workflow. The India Hub is designed to create integrated, cloud-enabled solutions that make radiology smarter and more connected. By focusing on end-to-end system efficiency, we can help healthcare providers deliver consistent, high-quality care while reducing administrative burden. This approach aligns with Bayer’s broader vision to advance digital transformation in healthcare responsibly and sustainably.
Looking ahead,what impact do you foresee this Hub making on global radiology innovation over the next 3–5 years?
Bayer is committed to innovative products and high-quality services in diagnostic imaging. This new centre gives us direct access to specialized engineering capabilities, enabling us to accelerate our pipeline of advanced radiology devices while maintaining the quality and reliability that healthcare providers expect from Bayer. The India Hub will be an important pillar of Bayer’s global radiology R&D network. Over the next few years, we will not only contribute to maintain and sustain our marketed portfolio of medical devices but also advance AI-enabled imaging, workflow automation and connectivity solutions to enhance efficiency and diagnostic precision. These innovations will support radiologists in delivering faster, more confident diagnoses, ultimately improving patient outcomes. The India Hub also reinforces Bayer’s long-term commitment to strengthening India’s role in global research and creating sustainable, digital-first solutions for the future of radiology as a key pillar of modern healthcare.