Everhope Oncology, a joint venture between Narayana Health, W Health Ventures, and 2070 Health, has secured $10 million in seed funding to establish medical and surgical cancer care facilities in Delhi and Mumbai, with plans to expand to 10 cities over the next three years. These facilities will provide diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and palliative care.
The increasing incidence of cancer in India has created a healthcare challenge. An estimated 8 million Indians are currently living with cancer, and projections indicate that one in nine individuals will develop the disease in their lifetime. India’s healthcare infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with demand, with an estimated 40,000 additional chemotherapy and surgical beds required in the coming years. The oncologist-to-patient ratio remains low, with one oncologist for every 2,000 cancer patients, compared to one per 100 in the U.S. This leads to limited consultation time, high patient anxiety, and physician burnout. Cancer stigma further contributes to delayed detection, with over 60 per cent of cases diagnosed at advanced stages, increasing mortality rates.
Everhope Oncology aims to address these challenges by establishing dedicated chemotherapy facilities and specialised surgical centres. These centres will provide a controlled treatment environment with reduced wait times and personalised care. A clinical board of experienced oncologists, in collaboration with Narayana Health, will implement globally validated protocols to ensure standardised treatment outcomes. Patients will also have access to mental health counselling, nutritional consultations, and pain management. A 24/7 care concierge service will be available to assist patients between treatment sessions.
Viren Shetty, Vice Chairman of Narayana Health, stated, “Most people visualize cancer treatment as thin and frail people stuck with hundreds of tubes walking from one crowded hospital room to another. This is why most of us avoid cancer screening and seek out non-scientific treatment options. We want to change the common misperceptions of curing cancer. Globally, most cancer therapies (chemotherapy, surgery, palliative care, radiation, consultations) are conducted in comfortable, dedicated spaces in retail locations far away from hospitals. With Everhope, we aim to provide patients with best-in-class onco-therapies in comfortable suites close to their homes, where they can get treated in a crowd-free environment and go about the rest of their day.”
Dr. Pankaj Jethwani, Managing Partner at W Health Ventures, stated, “As we work towards solving pressing healthcare issues, our collaboration with Narayana Health marks a significant step forward. Globally, cancer care has seen remarkable innovation—from daycare chemotherapy infusion centers to advanced diagnostics for early detection and breakthrough therapies like CAR-T. With Everhope, we aim to drive oncology innovation in India, working alongside entrepreneurial oncologists across the country who are eager to become business owners.”