India Pharma Outlook Team | Monday, 31 August 2026
This month brought several developments that shaped India’s pharma industry, from new partnerships and licensing agreements to R&D expansion and international market opportunities.
Mankind Pharma strengthened its diabetes portfolio through a China partnership, while Amgen expanded its research presence in Hyderabad.
At the same time, India deepened its pharmaceutical ties with Nigeria and Brazil through manufacturing, trade and regulatory cooperation.
Together, these moves point to a shift from traditional medicine exports toward a broader model built around innovation, market access and local capabilities.
Mankind Pharma has entered an exclusive in-licensing and marketing agreement with China’s Chongqing Chenan Biopharmaceutical. The agreement covers insulin degludec and a combination product containing insulin degludec for commercialization in India.
The move strengthens Mankind’s diabetes care portfolio, particularly its injectable segment. Insulin degludec is a long-acting insulin analog used in diabetes management. The partnership allows Mankind to add specialized therapies while using an international partner’s development capabilities.
Atish Majumdar, Senior President, Sales and Marketing at Mankind Pharma, said, “The partnership reinforces the company’s focus on expanding access to advanced therapies while strengthening its presence in injectable diabetes.”
The agreement also highlights the growing role of pharma licensing in India. Such partnerships can help companies expand specialized portfolios without relying entirely on internal drug development.
Also Read: Building Resilient QMS in Global Pharma Manufacturing
Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting agreed to acquire Dermatouch, marking its entry into India’s premium skincare segment. Wipro will initially acquire 60 percent of the Ahmedabad-based brand and take the remaining 40 percent over three years.
The transaction marks Wipro’s first digital-first brand acquisition. Dermatouch focuses on science-backed products for pigmentation, acne, brightening and sun protection. Its products reach consumers through direct-to-consumer, online and offline channels.
Kumar Chander, CEO of Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, described Dermatouch as an opportunity to enter digital brands that can expand into offline channels.
Tenet Diagnostics secured about USD 30 million from Tata Capital Healthcare Fund III and Blue Earth Capital AG. The investment went into Tenet Medcorp, which operates under the Tenet Diagnostics brand.
Tenet plans to use the capital to strengthen existing markets, expand its B2B laboratory network, and pursue strategic acquisitions. The company operates more than 35 diagnostic centers across 14 states and offers more than 3,000 super-specialty tests through its B2B network. The investment reflects rising interest in India’s diagnostics market, particularly as organized providers expand into new geographies and smaller cities.
Hearzap completed its acquisition of Amplifon India’s hearing healthcare business, adding around 240 hearing care points of sale, including 115 directly operated locations. The transaction expands Hearzap’s network to around 420 centres across India.
The company also plans investments in AI-enabled diagnostics, tele-audiology, rehabilitation services and new centres. The acquisition strengthens the organized hearing healthcare segment and could improve access across metropolitan, Tier II and Tier III markets.
Amgen plans to establish an Amgen Science and Innovation Center in Hyderabad. The facility should become operational in 2027 and will become the company’s eighth laboratory within its global R&D network.
The center will focus on experimental science, data and technology. It will also work alongside Amgen’s existing technology and innovation operations in Hyderabad.
The development adds another layer to Hyderabad’s growing position as a pharmaceutical R&D hub. Amgen expects the center to connect Indian scientific and technology teams with its wider global research network.
The move also reflects a broader change in how global pharma companies use India. Research, data science and technology now form a larger part of their Indian strategies.
India-Nigeria trade reached around USD 9 billion in FY2025-26, up from USD 7.13 billion a year earlier. More than 200 Indian companies now operate in Nigeria across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, manufacturing and other sectors.
For Indian pharma, the relationship increasingly extends beyond finished-product exports. Indian businesses have established production facilities in Nigeria, creating a stronger base for local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Indian companies have invested around USD 4 billion in pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria, according to the source. The investment supports a model that combines medicine exports with local production and healthcare capabilities.
The broader relationship also supports employment and healthcare cooperation. Indian companies operating across sectors have created nearly 100,000 jobs in Nigeria, according to Indian High Commissioner Abhishek Singh.
Nigeria therefore represents a more developed stage of India’s international pharma strategy. Local manufacturing gives Indian companies a stronger commercial and operational presence in the market.
India and Brazil have reaffirmed their target of raising bilateral trade to USD 30 billion by 2030. Bilateral trade reached USD 15.07 billion in 2025-26. Pharmaceuticals rank among the priority sectors alongside chemicals, engineering goods and machinery. Brazil has agreed to widen market access for Indian pharmaceutical products. India has also pushed for more predictable regulatory pathways for its medicines.
A February 2026 MoU between India’s CDSCO and Brazil’s ANVISA provides a foundation for stronger regulatory cooperation. Greater coordination could help Indian pharmaceutical companies navigate the Brazilian market more effectively.
The latest discussions also covered the India-MERCOSUR framework, manufacturing, logistics, digital services and other sectors. Brazil has also opened an ApexBrasil office in New Delhi to strengthen business connections and support investment.
These developments show that India’s pharma expansion is moving beyond conventional exports. Mankind is using licensing to add specialized diabetes therapies. Amgen is strengthening India’s role in global R&D. Nigeria demonstrates how Indian companies can combine exports with local manufacturing. Brazil represents a newer stage focused on regulatory cooperation and market access.
The common thread is capability building. Indian pharma companies are seeking international partnerships, production bases and access to new markets. Global companies are also using India for research and innovation.
The next phase will depend on how effectively these announcements translate into commercial launches, manufacturing capacity, regulatory approvals and sustained cross-border trade.
.jpg)
