India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 12 June 2026
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India’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced pharmaceuticals will depend on how effectively it balances affordability with a policy environment that supports innovation-led investment.
With the domestic pharmaceutical market projected to reach $46 billion in the next five years, the country is increasingly being seen as a high-growth destination for next-generation therapies. However, industry leaders caution that sustained momentum will require stronger intellectual property (IP) protection, regulatory data safeguards, and faster approval pathways.
A key challenge lies in aligning the speed of policy reform with the rapid pace of scientific innovation. Breakthrough therapies such as gene treatments, radioligand therapy (RLT), and siRNA-based medicines are transforming global healthcare, but their entry into emerging markets often faces delays due to regulatory and infrastructure gaps.
While India has made visible progress in healthcare infrastructure, regulatory reforms, and public-private partnerships, industry stakeholders believe that further acceleration is needed to ensure early access to cutting-edge treatments.
Access to innovative medicines in India continues to be shaped by more than just pricing. Experts highlight that early diagnosis, healthcare infrastructure, physician awareness, and patient education play equally critical roles.
For complex therapies like radioligand treatments or gene-based drugs, the ecosystem must be equipped not only to approve but also to deliver these treatments effectively. This includes specialized facilities, trained professionals, and financing mechanisms that make high-cost therapies accessible to a broader population.
India’s long-term potential in innovative pharmaceuticals is increasingly being compared with China. While both markets offer scale, India’s growing population and rising disease burden provide a sustained demand trajectory, unlike China, where demographic shifts are beginning to stabilize growth.
This positions India as a long-term opportunity for global pharma companies, provided regulatory and policy frameworks continue evolving in line with innovation needs.
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Swiss drugmaker Novartis views India as one of its most strategic growth markets, both as a talent hub and as a destination for launching innovative therapies.
The company has transitioned into a pure-play innovative medicines business and continues to invest heavily in advanced therapeutic platforms. Its portfolio includes radioligand therapy for cancer treatment, gene therapies, and emerging siRNA-based drugs targeting complex diseases.
Novartis has also strengthened its research footprint in India, with over 350 scientists working on small-molecule development programs at its global capability center the largest such facility for the company worldwide.
In terms of product strategy, the company is focusing on key therapeutic areas including cardiovascular diseases, oncology, immunology, and neuroscience. Its prostate cancer therapy, Pluvicto, reflects the shift toward precision and targeted treatments aimed at improving both survival outcomes and quality of life.
India is also playing a growing role in global clinical research. Novartis currently has around 50 global clinical trials underway, underlining the country’s importance in drug development pipelines.
Looking ahead, the company has indicated its intent to create a pathway for bringing all its innovative products into the Indian market, signaling a continued long-term commitment.
India stands at a critical inflection point in its pharmaceutical evolution. Moving beyond its traditional strength in generics, the country now has the opportunity to emerge as a key player in innovation-led healthcare.
However, realizing this potential will depend on maintaining a policy environment that encourages investment, accelerates approvals, and safeguards innovation, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs translate into timely and accessible treatments for patients.
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