Top 7 Biopharma Hubs in India Leading Innovation

India, characterized as the “Pharmacy of the world”, has emerged as the world’s leading biopharmaceutical centre of innovation and a talent pool. Supported by the dense network of manufacturing plants, research centres, and startups, the country is establishing standards in the biotech & pharma sectors. From manufacturing inexpensive vaccines to launching biosimilars, biopharma in India is making progress that is changing the world.

Pharma Now discusses the biopharma map of India, highlighting the top seven pharma cities in India that will define the future of the healthcare industry.

1. Hyderabad - The Pharma Hub of India

Hyderabad, also referred to as the ‘Vaccine Hub of India’, is the absolute leader in Indian pharmaceutical innovation and knowledge-based industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, IT, and ITES. The city has many multinational life sciences giants like United States Pharmacopeia (USP), DuPont, Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI), Nektar Therapeutics, Sanofi Aventis, Aptuit-Laurus and many more domestic industries such as Dr Reddy’s, Aurobindo Pharma, Bharat Biotech and many more. 

Along with its strong R&D infrastructure with clusters like Shamirpet Biotech Park, vaccine manufacturing in Hyderabad is its key strength. Hyderabad accommodates several world-renowned academic/research institutes & universities; the talent pool is thus considerably large. It has a gross number of super-speciality hospitals well prepared for clinical trials of multi-national standards; hence, it is known as India’s health capital. 

Hyderabad has grown into a pharma hub for bulk drugs for two reasons: firstly, due to the establishment of Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (IDPL), and secondly, due to the enterprising nature of its people and availability of adequate talent in the state.

2. Bengaluru: India’s Silicon Valley Meets Biopharma

Already a tech hub, Bengaluru is now ranging its IT expertise to revolutionize biopharma and healthcare technology. Pharmaceutical and biotechnological productions and research are among the significant specialities of Bengaluru and rank among the nation’s leading innovative facilities. In 2018, there were more than 2,669 startups in the biotech industry across India. Around 50% of these biotechs are located in Bengaluru or around it. 

According to the Bengaluru Innovation report, the IT city is expected to be among the 17 fastest-growing cities in the world from 2019 to 2035 and among 780 world cities. Many renowned pharma companies, such as Biocon and Syngene, are from India and have headquarters in Bengaluru. It is also home to several international corporations like GSK, Adcock Ingram Ltd., Apotex Pharmachem, Strides Arcolab, and many more. 

The capital of Karnataka offers investment opportunities for the manufacture of API or bulk drugs, biosimilars, vaccines, and nutraceuticals, as well as contract research in food and drug testing. Bengaluru stands out for its digital transformation in biopharma, merging traditional pharmaceutical practices with emerging technologies.

3. Pune: The Biologics Hub

Pune is rapidly growing into a hub for biopharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D. The biologics companies in Pune, like Roche, Bayer and Merck, are developing new therapeutic technologies and reshaping the bioscience industry.

Pune consists of a biocluster of multi-institutional ventures attempting to build research and development ecosystems by combining available expertise led by the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) & Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune. 

The biotechnology sector has established itself in Pune by benefiting from the academic environment, favourable government policy and an active startup culture. Some of the city’s top academies include the National Chemical Laboratory and the Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, which churns out qualified human resources for research.

Many large pharmaceutical companies, including Serum Institute of India and Emcure Pharmaceuticals, are based in Pune, which will provide a ground for partnering and product development. It has a strong supporting infrastructure to set up a business, and a relatively lower cost structure makes it increasingly popular among biotech professionals, as well as start-ups. Pune has become the emerging biotechnology hub in India, especially through acquiring capital and required resources.

4. Mumbai: The Pharma Bussiness Capital

As the financial capital of India, Mumbai serves as the operational headquarters for some of the largest pharmaceutical companies, including Cipla, Sun Pharma, and Glenmark. The city is a hub for pharmaceutical exports and drug discovery. Many multinational pharma corporations also have their Indian headquarters in Mumbai, which benefits from the city’s business-friendly ecosystem and allows them to expand their operations in India and abroad. Many companies based in Mumbai are leaders in producing generic medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and complex formulations, catering to domestic and international markets. 

Mumbai has a highly skilled workforce, with talent from premier institutions like the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) and several regional medical colleges. The pharma ecosystem in Mumbai is further strengthened by the presence of healthcare providers, diagnostic centres, and clinical research organizations (CROs). The city plays a crucial role in India’s position as a global supplier of generic medicines and APIs, ensuring timely delivery to international markets.

5. Ahmedabad: Biotech Meets Manufacturing

Ahmedabad has emerged as a hub for biotech manufacturing, with a strong focus on generics, biosimilars, and vaccines; the state is becoming a biotech centre. While big pharma companies like Zydus Healthcare are now planning to set up in Ahmedabad, more pharma companies are considering entering the sector. According to the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) 2006, fifty per cent of new biotech companies have been added in the last three years.

Although earlier people were exposed to biotechnology to a limited extent within a few national research laboratories and universities, there has been a significant increase in biotech investment in Gujarat.

It is widely claimed that on the biotechnology front, Ahmedabad has a lot of scope and opportunities in the agricultural, pharmaceuticals, health care, animal, environment, and marine biotechnology segments.

6. Delhi NCR: The Innovation Hub

Delhi NCR is a multidisciplinary hub for biopharma, combining clinical research, regulatory expertise, and cutting-edge manufacturing. Companies like Jubilant Biosys and Panacea Biotec drive progress in vaccine development, biologics, and therapeutics. 

Delhi NCR has emerged as a vital hub for India’s pharmaceutical industry, blending strong infrastructure with a skilled talent pool of scientists, engineers, and pharmacists. The region’s dedicated industrial parks, research facilities, and logistics networks enable seamless operations for pharma companies. 

With a focus on cutting-edge R&D, the region is making the way for advancements in drug discovery and delivery systems. Looking ahead, Delhi NCR is well-positioned to meet the growing domestic demand for affordable, high-quality medicines and tap into global markets. Its expertise in speciality drugs further strengthens its role as a leader in shaping healthcare solutions.

7. Chennai: The Healthcare Powerhouse

Chennai is known for its focus on medical research and manufacturing, particularly in biologics and biosimilars. With a thriving healthcare infrastructure, the city is making strides in pharma innovation. Chennai has an extensive pharma cluster, focusing on high volume and low on innovation, hence more generics production. Relatively specialized pharmaceuticals are rare. 

A critical observation of whether the pharmaceutical manufacturer in Chennai meets various international standards becomes absolutely necessary and crucial in order to guarantee that the company is capable of delivering quality healthcare products that are standard with other global players.

Key Takeaways

India's biopharma landscape is a testament to the country’s growing prominence in global pharmaceutical innovation. The top pharma cities in India have established themselves as vital hubs driving this progress. From vaccine manufacturing in Hyderabad, which has positioned itself as a global leader in immunization research, to biologics companies in Pune advancing therapies for complex diseases, these cities are catalysts for transformative healthcare solutions. 

Similarly, biosimilars in Bengaluru have gained worldwide recognition for their affordability and quality, making life-saving treatments accessible to millions. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad pharma manufacturing continues to bolster India's production capacity, delivering high-quality medicines on a large scale. Collectively, these biopharma hubs in India are not only meeting domestic healthcare demands but also catering to international markets with innovative and cost-effective solutions. Their contributions reinforce India’s position as the “pharmacy of the world.”