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India Needs to Shift from Pharma Manufacturing to Innovation Leadership, Says Amitabh Kant at BioAsia 2025

Delivering his keynote address at the 22nd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health tech forum, Kant called for a shift from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Discover and Make in India for the World,’ underscoring the need for stronger research and development (R&D) investments.

• By Pooja Chaturvedi Sah
• New Delhi
• Feb 26, 2025

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India must transition from being a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub to a global leader in innovation, former NITI Aayog CEO and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant emphasized at BioAsia 2025 on Tuesday. 

Delivering his keynote address at the 22nd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health tech forum, he called for a shift from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Discover and Make in India for the World,’ underscoring the need for stronger research and development (R&D) investments. 

Regulatory Overhaul and Innovation-Friendly Policies Needed 

Kant stressed the importance of simplifying India’s regulatory framework to encourage innovation. He pointed out that the country’s pharmaceutical sector needs an enabling ecosystem to support discovery-based research while mitigating costs and risks. “We need to scrap a lot of rules and regulatory procedures to make the landscape simpler and more innovation-friendly,” he said, urging reforms to streamline processes and incentivize R&D investments. 

Collaboration and Talent Development Key to Success 

Highlighting the need for a strong government-industry-academia partnership, Kant emphasized the role of funding in clinical trials and skill development. He noted that while India’s pharmaceutical exports had risen from $19 billion in 2019 to nearly $28 billion in 2024, sustaining global leadership requires a greater focus on biologics and biosimilars. “With the biosimilars market projected to rise significantly by 2030, India must invest in R&D to seize this opportunity,” he said. 

AI, Digital Transformation to Drive Pharma Evolution 

Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Analytics are set to revolutionize drug discovery and manufacturing, Kant noted. “India has over 4.2 lakh tech engineers and ranks high on GitHub. With 92% of enterprises adopting AI, we must push for AI-driven disruption in pharma and healthcare,” he said. He urged the government to introduce incentives such as weighted deductions for digital transformation and GST exemptions to encourage corporate investment in cutting-edge technologies. 

Hyderabad’s Green Pharma City Attracts Rs 5,500 Crore in Investments 

The BioAsia 2025 event also saw major investment announcements, with 11 pharmaceutical companies signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Telangana government. These commitments, totaling Rs 5,500 crore, are expected to generate 9,800 new jobs in the state’s Green Pharma City. With this, the total investment in the pharma park now stands at Rs 11,100 crore, supporting over 22,300 jobs. 

Telangana’s Lifesciences Boom and Global Collaborations 

The two-day conference, inaugurated by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, saw participation from key dignitaries, including IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu and Queensland Governor Dr. Jeannette Young. Themed ‘Catalysts of Change – Expanding Global Healthcare Frontiers, Transforming Healthcare with Innovation, Collaboration, and Progress,’ the event facilitated strategic partnerships and global collaborations. The Telangana government signed a Letter of Intent with the University of Queensland to collaborate on advanced research, digital healthcare, and AI-driven innovations. 

Additionally, the World Economic Forum’s Indian Digital Health Activator Initiative has chosen Telangana as its first hub, aiming to accelerate digital health solutions and foster public-private partnerships. 

Global Pharma Companies Expanding in Hyderabad 

Hyderabad continues to attract international pharmaceutical and biotech firms: 

• US pharma giant MSD is exploring the city’s life sciences and technology capabilities for expansion. 

• Agilisium, a Los Angeles-based firm, launched a new office at RMZ Spire and established a Life Sciences Innovation & Talent Development Lab. 

• ALS, a global leader in testing and certification, is setting up a state-of-the-art Bio Pharma cGMP testing lab in Genome Valley. 

• Meishi Pharma – A Lotus Company is launching its second R&D center under its new Indian subsidiary, Meishi Pharma Services Pvt Ltd. 

Contract Research Firms Join Forces for Industry Growth 

Eleven leading contract research and development organizations (CRDOs) have formed a strategic alliance to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain, promote regulatory reforms, and drive global industry growth. 

Additionally, Health Innovation Manchester, in partnership with T-Hub, will lead advancements in healthcare, medtech, diagnostics, and digital health solutions, aiming to enhance patient outcomes through innovation. With these developments, India’s pharmaceutical sector is poised to expand significantly, potentially reaching $150 billion by 2030 and $500 billion by 2047, provided it successfully pivots towards discovery-led innovation and digital transformation.