17th edition of CPHI & PMEC India inaugurated at India Expo Centre, Noida

The 17th edition of CPHI & PMEC India, organised by Informa Markets in India opened its doors at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR, showcasing the robust potential of India’s pharmaceutical industry. With the Indian pharma market projected to grow to $ 130 billion by 2030 and $ 450 billion by 2047, the event highlighted the industry’s vital role in shaping global healthcare. 

Bringing together over 2,000 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors from more than 150 countries, including the USA, UAE, South Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom, the expo serves as a dynamic hub for innovation and collaboration. Spanning pharma machinery, packaging, analytical instruments, laboratory technologies, ingredients, and beyond, it offers a comprehensive platform for stakeholders to engage in transformative dialogues and foster strategic partnerships.

The grand inauguration of the 17th edition of CPHI & PMEC India set the tone for a spectacular showcase of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries’ future. Key dignitaries such as K. Raja Bhanu, Director General, Pharmexcil; Harish K. Jain, President, FOPE (Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs); Namit Joshi, Vice Chairman, Pharmexcil; AVPS Chakravarthy, Global Ambassador, WPO; Rhonda Duffy, Executive VP and COO, Biocon Biologics;  Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, India Expo Mart (IEML) & Director General, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH); RK Jain, Chairman, CPI; Ranjana Ganguly, Board Member, PCSI; Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India; Wouter Moulman, Chief Commercial Officer, Informa Markets, IMEA; Adam Anderson, Executive VP – Pharma, Informa Markets B.V.;  and Rahul Deshpande, Sr. Group Director, Informa Markets in India, did the honours, amidst an august industry presence. 

The event featured a stellar lineup of exhibitors, including leading names like Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon, Glenmark Lifesciences, Morepen Laboratories, Hetero Labs, Lupin, Signet Excipients, Apitoria Pharma, Capsugel Healthcare, Supriya Lifescience, SMS Pharmaceuticals, MSN Laboratories, Sekhmet Pharmaventures, Tirupati Lifesciences, and Merck Life Science, among others. The PMEC pavilion showcases cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies, with prominent exhibitors like ACG, Accupack Engineering, Ace Technologies, Avish Machines, Bowman & Archer Pharma Machines, Cadmach Machinery, CAM PAK India, Fette India, IMA Industria Macchine, Parle Global Technologies, Snowbell Machines, and Truking Technology, spotlighting the latest advancements in equipment and innovation.

Industry collaboration and support

This year, the expo garnered strong support from prominent industry associations, including CIPI, FOPE (Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs), IPEC India, and Pharmexcil, further cementing its status as a leading and highly anticipated event in the pharmaceutical industry.

AVPS Chakravarthy, Global Ambassador, WPO, said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is demonstrating its innovative potential through advancements like Carticel therapy for cancer treatment and Nafithromycin, a groundbreaking macrolide antibiotic tackling drug-resistant pathogens. These innovations highlight India’s dual strengths in affordability and efficacy, reaffirming its role as the ‘pharmacy of the world.’ Events like CPHI & PMEC India provide vital platforms for collaboration, showcasing progress in AI-driven drug inspection, sustainable packaging, and startup-driven innovations, propelling the industry towards a future of higher value creation and global leadership in both volume and value.”

Dr Veeramani, Chairman, Pharmexcil, said “The Indian pharmaceutical industry stands as a global leader, exporting to over 200 countries and providing comprehensive solutions across APIs, finished dosages, clinical research, and pharmacovigilance. With platforms like CPHI showcasing India’s capabilities, the sector is poised for transformative growth—from its current $55 billion to a projected $130 billion by 2030 and $450 billion by 2047. Innovations in biologics, specialty generics, and the impact of policies like the U.S. Biosecure Act underline the industry’s potential to redefine healthcare solutions worldwide.”

Raja Bhanu, Director General, Pharmexcil, said, “The Indian pharmaceutical sector, a key focus area for exports, has demonstrated remarkable growth, with current market size at $55 billion and exports contributing $27.85 billion. Projections indicate exports will soar to $130 billion by 2030 and $450 billion by 2047. CPHI & PMEC India highlights India’s strengths in manufacturing, analytics, AI, and machine learning.”

Namit Joshi, Vice Chairman, Pharmexil, said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry has solidified its global position as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’ and earned recognition as the ‘Healers of the World’ through its exceptional contribution to COVID-19 vaccine distribution. With exports nearing $27.84 billion and innovative advancements like nanoparticles and improved drug delivery systems, India continues to lead. Integrating IT with pharmaceuticals will further strengthen its role, paving the way for dominance in biologics and biosimilars. CPHI & PMEC India is instrumental in showcasing this progress and reinforcing India’s potential to serve global healthcare needs.”

Harish K Jain, President, FOPE (Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs), said “India’s pharmaceutical industry, valued at $60 billion today, plays a vital role in global exports, with $30 billion of that in exports. By 2030, we expect our exports to grow significantly, with 70 per cent directed to Europe and the US. Our industry’s impact is enormous—Indian pharmaceuticals contribute $8 billion annually to the US healthcare system, saving patients over $1.5 trillion. With growing capabilities in AI, machine learning, and biologics, India is poised to become the world’s leading pharmaceutical hub, targeting a $1 trillion industry by 2047.”

Highlighting the significance of this year’s CPHI & PMEC India Expo, Yogesh Mudras, MD, Informa Markets in India, said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry stands as a pillar of manufacturing excellence, scale, and research-led competitiveness. Having evolved into a vibrant sector, it now ranks 3rd globally in pharmaceutical production by volume and 14th by value, contributing approximately 1.72 per cent to the nation’s GDP. India is among the top 12 global biotechnology destinations and the third largest in the Asia-Pacific region. This leadership stems from key advantages such as a low manufacturing cost, which is 30 per cent-35 per cent lower than in the US and Europe, cost-efficient R&D at 87 per cent less than developed markets, and an abundant pool of skilled labour. These strengths position India as a formidable player in shaping the future of global healthcare. The CPHI & PMEC India expo acts as a catalyst in propelling the pharmaceutical industry’s progress, fostering transformative innovations, strategic collaborations, and impactful global synergies. We are also proud to have a Start-Up Pavilion under the aegis of the expo, which showcases emerging pharma disruptors with cutting-edge solutions that challenge traditional approaches. This offers attendees a glimpse into the future of the industry.”

Adam Anderson, Executive VP – Pharma, Informa Markets B.V said, “India’s pharmaceutical sector is stronger than ever, not only in raw ingredients but also in machinery and biopharmaceuticals. By 2027, biopharma is projected to account for 35 per cent of the global market, positioning India as a leader. This growth extends across the entire supply chain, including contract manufacturing and packaging, providing India with tremendous opportunities as the industry continues to evolve. CPHI & PMEC India plays a crucial role in showcasing this transformation, bringing together key industry players and fostering innovation.”

Unveiling excellence in pharma

Day 1 of the event showcased the Pharma Connect Congress, which addressed pivotal themes shaping the pharmaceutical landscape. Sessions included discussions on continuous innovation and agile manufacturing for next-generation therapeutics, moderated by Dr Mahesh Bhalgat, Group CEO & MD, Veeda Clinical Research, and insights into India’s position as the “Pharmacy of the World” with cost-effective generics and biosimilars, led by Dr Rhonda Duffy, Executive VP & COO, Biocon Biologics. The Pharma Congress also highlighted the challenges of adopting digital technologies, with a panel moderated by Dr Mandar Ghatnekar, Global Head IT & Digital Transformation, Biocon Biologics. Other noteworthy sessions on ‘Advance your Research Decisions on Biosimilars with Confidence’ led by Dr Dennis McCullough – VP, Global Sales, CAS; and ‘Navigating the Complexity of Biosimilar Manufacturing’ by Dr Sanjeev Gupta, Sr. VP- Advanced Biotech Lab, IPCA Labs; among other relevant topics.

Additionally, Day 1 featured the Pharma Leaders Roundtable, a closed-door session for senior leaders to explore transformative trends and challenges. Discussions highlighted leveraging geopolitical shifts, such as the BIOSECURE Act, to enhance India’s CDMO sector, integrating AI and machine learning for efficiency, and addressing regulatory and infrastructure barriers in advanced therapies.

The day concluded with the prestigious India Pharma Awards 2024, celebrating outstanding achievements in innovation and excellence within the pharmaceutical industry. This prestigious event highlighted transformative contributions across categories such as R&D, sustainability, and digital innovation while recognising individuals with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Day 2 promises an equally dynamic lineup, focusing on sustainability, and leadership within the pharma and biopharma sectors. Key sessions will address critical sustainability challenges, moderated by AVPS Chakravarthi, Global Ambassador, World Packaging Organisation, alongside insights into navigating environmental regulations shared by Rajendra Patil, Head – EHSS, Syngene International. Discussions on ESG contributions to business sustainability, led by Sunila Sahasrabudhe, Head – ESG Finance, Biocon, and a fireside chat on adopting green chemistry in drug discovery, featuring Dr Pramod Wangikar, Chair Professor for Green Chemistry and Industrial Biotechnology at IIT Bombay, will further enrich the agenda.

The Women in Pharma Roundtable will be another highlight of Day 2, spotlighting the evolving role of women in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. This session will reflect on past achievements, discuss current challenges such as pay disparities and leadership parity, and explore emerging opportunities for women in pharma. By examining key leadership qualities and leveraging industry trends, the roundtable aims to inspire and empower women striving to excel in the industry.

CPHI India features a wide array of exhibitors, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), antibiotics, antibodies, biocatalysts, biotechnology, excipients, drug formulations, herbal teas, and many more, representing the entire pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. On the other hand, PMEC India highlights innovations in pharmaceutical equipment, including packaging and processing equipment, tabletting and capsule fillers, plant/facility equipment, process automation, filtration systems, and much more. Together, these exhibitions provide a holistic view of the advancements and opportunities within the pharma and biopharma industries, driving growth, innovation, and collaboration.