India Targets Global Pharma Leadership With Focus on Biologics and Biosimilars

JP Nadda on Monday said India is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in the pharmaceutical sector, driven by a strong focus on innovation in biologics, biosimilars, and speciality medicines. Highlighting the country’s evolving healthcare landscape, he emphasised that India is moving beyond its traditional strength in generic drugs toward becoming a hub for advanced biopharmaceutical research and development.

The minister pointed to the recently launched Biopharma Shakti Initiative, backed by an outlay of ₹10,000 crore, as a major step toward strengthening innovation and research capabilities in the sector. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of cutting-edge therapies, enhance domestic capabilities, and position India competitively in the global pharmaceutical value chain.

Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel also stressed the need for the industry to prioritise innovation-driven segments. She noted that innovative drugs account for nearly 87 per cent of the global pharmaceutical market value, underlining the importance of shifting focus toward high-value research and product development.

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Nadda further highlighted complementary government initiatives such as the PRIP scheme, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) programmes, and the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. These efforts aim to boost domestic manufacturing, improve access to affordable medicines, and foster stronger collaboration between industry and academia, while also encouraging the development of new therapies.

India’s pharmaceutical sector, which already contributes around 20 per cent of global generic medicines and meets nearly 70 per cent of global vaccine demand, is undergoing a significant transformation. Platforms like the ‘India Pharma 2026’ event are expected to further strengthen partnerships and shape a forward-looking roadmap, reinforcing India’s ambition to become a global biopharma innovation leader.

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