In an exclusive interview with Rahul Koul, Editor, Indian Pharma Post, Sourav Kasera outlines shift to long-term pharma partnerships, AI-led personalization, and a doctor-first model focused on real-world clinical decision-making.

CLIRNET has positioned itself as a digital community for doctors. How do you differentiate your platform from other medical networking or edtech platforms?

CLIRNET is built as a space where doctors come to discuss medicine with each other.

Today, access to information is no longer the main issue. The real challenge is the volume of noise and misinformation. Doctors are looking for a reliable space where they can exchange views, test their thinking, and learn from real clinical experience.

We provide that environment. Our platform isindependent and focused on credibility, without being driven by commercial or institutional bias. It reflects how doctors actually practice. They discuss cases, share what they have seen in practice, and learn from their peers. That is what sets it apart. It is not just about learning or networking. It is a space where ongoing clinical conversations take place in a way that feels relevant, trustworthy and useful.

Can you walk us through your revenue model and how it has scaled over time?

Our revenue model has changed along with the way pharma companies engage with doctors.

In the early phase, we focused on digital CME programs and branded content. Over time, this moved towards more integrated engagement across channels. Today, a large part of our business comes from long-term partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.

These partnerships include scientific engagement programs, brand lifecycle initiatives, and work driven by data and insights. Many of these are structured as ongoing programs rather than one-off campaigns.

This shift has delivered strong growth. We saw around 70 per cent revenue growth last year. About 60 to 70 per cent of our business now comes from multi-year engagements. We are aiming to double the business in the current year. The biggest change has been moving away from one-off campaigns to long-term relationships.

How is CLIRNET improving clinical decision-making and patient outcomes at the grassroots level?

At the grassroots level, doctors do not lack information. What they need is information that is relevant to their context. CLIRNET addresses this through case-based learning, peer validation, and continuous education that fits into a doctor’s daily work. This allows doctors to learn from situations that are closer to what they see in practice.

Over time, this helps bring more consistency in treatment approaches. It also supports faster adoption of updated practices and builds confidence in handling complex cases. The impact builds gradually, but it is meaningful. It improves both the quality and consistency of care, especially outside metro cities where access to contextual knowledge can be limited.

 How are you leveraging AI and data analytics to personalize learning and engagement for doctors?

We see technology as something that should work quietly in the background rather than stand out. It is built into how the platform functions rather than added on top. Through our AiDA framework, we tailor what each doctor sees based on their specialty and how they use the platform. It also brings forward insights from peers and highlights what is relevant at a given time.

 We also study engagement patterns to understand what kind of content actually influences clinical thinking. This helps us make learning more focused and useful over time. The aim is simple. To reduce overload and make sure doctors get what matters to them.

CLIRNET works closely with pharma and healthcare companies. How do you balance commercial interests with unbiased medical education?

This balance is central to how we operate. Doctor trust comes first and cannot be compromised. The platform is built around credibility and peer exchange. At the same time, our work with pharma companies is designed to add scientific value. The focus remains on education, awareness, and clinical relevance, rather than promotion alone.

When the engagement is meaningful and credible, it builds trust and leads to better long-term outcomes for both doctors and the industry.

 What have been the biggest challenges in building a doctor-first digital platform, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was building trust at scale. Doctors engage only when they see clear value. We focused on working with medical associations and key opinion leaders, and on delivering content that is relevant and high-quality. 

Another challenge was keeping doctors engaged over time. We addressed this through interactive formats, especially case-based discussions, and by keeping the content fresh.

Over time, this has helped CLIRNET become part of a doctor’s routine rather than just another platform. In many cases, it has moved from being something they visit occasionally to something they rely on regularly.

What is your long-term vision for CLIRNET in terms of scale, impact, and innovation? 

Our goal is to build a trusted network led by doctors, with the ambition of becoming a go-to platform for clinical insight. We plan to expand globally and improve how medical knowledge is shared and used in practice. We also want to use technology and real-world insights to support better clinical decisions.

Over time, we want CLIRNET to be a place where doctors can rely on collective experience to guide their decisions in everyday practice, not just occasionally but as a consistent reference point.