Kathua to become India's antibiotic powerhouse with ?600 crore pharma

In a significant move to bolster India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, Union Minister Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for a Rs 600 crore pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Kathua district on Saturday.

This project is part of the government's efforts to reduce dependency on imports for critical antibiotic intermediates and enhance India's self-reliance in the healthcare sector.

The new facility, being developed by Orchid Pharma at village Gadadhar, will focus on manufacturing Amino Cephalosporanic Acid (ACA), a crucial intermediate used in the production of cephalosporin antibiotics. ACA is essential for modern antibiotic formulations, but India currently relies heavily on imports of this critical intermediate from China, creating vulnerabilities in supply security and pricing stability.

Singh emphasized that this investment, supported by the government’s Production-Linked Incentive Scheme, demonstrates growing confidence in Jammu and Kashmir's industrial and innovation potential. The facility is expected to provide direct employment to nearly 400 individuals, while an additional 400 indirect jobs will be created across suppliers, logistics, and allied sectors.

Speaking about Kathua’s industrial potential, Singh noted that the region has the capacity to become a prominent pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. He also highlighted the facility’s potential to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical export portfolio, aligning with the government’s broader vision to build self-reliance in critical healthcare technologies and pharmaceutical supply chains.

In line with the Biopharma Shakti initiative announced in the Union Budget, which earmarks Rs 10,000 crore for the biotech and biopharmaceutical sectors, this facility is poised to play a vital role in ensuring India’s health security and affordable access to essential medicines, even amid global disruptions.