Lucknow: UP could see greater participation of US companies in healthcare, life sciences and agriculture-linked sectors, with a 23-member US business delegation exploring investment, technology partnerships and pilot projects with state govt on Monday.The delegation, led by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) in association with US Foreign Commercial Service and US-India Business Council (USIBC), held one-to-one meetings with Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and senior officials from health, planning, horticulture, agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries departments.Representatives of Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, GE, PepsiCo and Roche, were part of the delegation. Discussions focused on identifying areas where US technology and investment could address public healthcare needs and improve productivity and incomes in the farm and allied sectors.In healthcare, the delegation explored innovative medicines and specialty therapies for cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, besides strengthening primary and secondary healthcare. Advanced diagnostics, screening programmes, medical devices and new healthcare technologies were also discussed. Digital health and AI emerged as key areas. Officials also explored opportunities in healthcare infrastructure through public-private partnerships, pharmaceutical and medical-device manufacturing, life sciences clusters, research and development and technology transfer.Govt procurement, technology demonstrations and qualification requirements for companies were also discussed, along with incentives and measures to make UP more attractive for life sciences investment. The animal husbandry department explored technology partnerships in precision livestock farming, digital veterinary services, AI-based animal health monitoring and data-driven management. Advanced breeding technologies, improved animal nutrition and scientific livestock management were discussed as ways to increase productivity and farmer incomes.The two sides also discussed disease surveillance and a One Health approach to prevent zoonotic diseases, besides climate-resilient livestock farming, animal welfare and sustainable use of resources.There was also scope identified for collaboration in dairy, poultry, fisheries and allied sectors, including joint research, pilot projects, institutional partnerships and training of veterinary professionals and field workers.Senior officials who interacted with the delegation included CM’s chief adviser Awanish Awasthi, pharma adviser Dr GN Singh, ACS animal husbandry, fisheries and dairy development Mukesh Meshram, principal secretary, planning and IT, Alok Kumar, secretary, planning, Rajshekhar and senior officials from horticulture and agro-food processing.
