Indian Pharmaceutical Industry

The Indian Pharmaceuticals industry plays a prominent role in the global pharmaceuticals industry. India ranks third worldwide for production by volume and 14th by value.

In this regard the sector has seen a lot of investments and developments in the recent past.

• As per the Press Information Bureau release dated February 2, 2026, India is strengthening its pharmaceutical sector through the Biopharma SHAKTI initiative with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore (US$ 1.11 billion) over five years. The initiative focuses on boosting biologics and biosimilars manufacturing, expanding research and education via NIPER institutes, and developing over 1,000 clinical trial sites. These investments highlight India’s shift towards innovation-led growth and reinforce its position as a global biopharma hub.
• On October 28, 2025, Grant Thornton Bharat reported that of the Rs. 29,992 crore (US$ 3.5 billion) in deals recorded this quarter, private deals such as M&A and PE activity accounted for around Rs. 25,707 crore (US$ 3 billion) across 68 transactions in the third quarter.
• In Q1 2025, the Pharma & Healthcare Sector saw 71 deals worth Rs. 22,279 crore (US$ 2.6 Billion).
• In July 2025, Cipla has acquired a 20% stake in Bengaluru based iCaltech innovation aiming to strengthen its respiratory devices and diagnostic portfolio.
• As of February 2025, Parexel a biopharmaceutical company from the US, plans to add over 2,000 employees in India over the next five years.
• Indian pharmaceutical companies are projected to achieve a revenue growth of 9-11% in FY25. This growth is expected to be fuelled by robust performances in key markets, including the United States, Europe, and emerging regions.
• India’s healthcare sector is projected to reach US$ 320 billion (Rs. 27,28,320 crore) by 2028, according to the latest report by Great Place to Work.
• The pharmaceutical sector targets Rs. 11,08,380 crore (US$ 130 billion) by 2030, while biotechnology aims for Rs. 25,57,800 crore (US$ 300 billion) by the same year.
• Sanofi announced its plans to invest US$ 435 million over the next six years to expand its global capability centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, India by increasing the headcount and further developing the facility.
• In the Indian pharmaceutical industry, there were 24 M&A deals announced in Q1 2024, worth a total value of US$ 456.3 million.
• As of 30th June 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognized a total of 1,40,803 entities as startups, of which 2,127 are from the pharmaceutical sector.
• MedGenome has acquired a stake in GenX Diagnostics, a diagnostic lab chain in Odisha. This strategic move combines MedGenome’s advanced science and technological capabilities with GenX’s diagnostics leadership in the East, empowering clinicians in Odisha.
• In March 2024, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated 27 greenfield bulk drug park projects and 13 greenfield manufacturing plants for medical devices.
• Cipla received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to market the novel antibiotic plazomicin in India for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) affecting approximately 150 million patients each year.
• For the period 2020-21 to 2027-28, 26 Applicants for manufacturing of Medical Devices have been approved for 138 products under the PLI scheme with total financial outlay of US$ 411.01 million (Rs. 3,420 crore).
• Up to 100%, FDI has been allowed through automatic route for Greenfield pharmaceuticals projects. For Brownfield pharmaceuticals projects, FDI allowed is up to 74% through automatic route and beyond that through government approval.
• The FDI equity inflow in the Drugs and Pharmaceuticals industry is Rs. 2,00,166 crore (US$ 23.41 million) during the period April 2000-March 2025.
• The Department of Pharmaceuticals will soon launch the Scheme for the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma (PRIP) MedTech Sector. The scheme has been approved by the Union Cabinet for a period of five years starting from 2023-24 to 2027-28 with a total outlay of Rs. 5,000 crore (US$ 604.5 million).
• Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited (EPL) becomes the first ever company to launch Orofer FCM 750, a new extension of its parenteral iron brand containing Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). The dose is suitable for the majority of Indian patients with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia.
• Japanese companies have been invited to invest in the Indian Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry. The cooperation between Pharmaceutical Traders Association and Japan Federation of Medical Devices Associations of the two countries can contribute to stabilize the global supply-chain especially of APIs and Medical Devices.
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Glenmark), an innovation-driven, global pharmaceutical company, is the first to launch a unique I.V. injection formulation, Akynzeo I.V., in India for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), under an exclusive licensing agreement with Helsinn, a Swiss biopharma group company.
• Entod Pharmaceuticals launched its new ocular aesthetic range focused on improving eye comfort and enhancing the aesthetics of the eyes.
• BDR Pharmaceutical launched the first generic apalutamide (brand name Apatide) in India to treat both metastatic castration sensitive prostate cancer as well as non-metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. The product will be available across India.
• Anglo French Drugs & Industries Limited (AFDIL), a 99-year-old organization in the pharmaceutical sector, announced that it has entered into the fertility space with the launch of the LYBER range.