PharmaLytica 2024: charting India’s pharma’s path to USD 130 billion by 2030 from the powerhouse hub of Hyderabad

The premier expo opened its door to over 200 exhibitors showcasing more than 1000 brands offering insights into Machinery & Packaging, Lab Analytical & Cleanroom, and Pharma Ingredients segments

The 10th edition of PharmaLytica, organised by Informa Markets in India, commenced at HITEX, Hyderabad. It focused on redefining the pharmaceutical industry in the post-COVID era. 

PharmaLytica 2024 offered a unique platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions covering the full spectrum of pharma machinery and packaging, lab analytical and cleanroom solutions, and pharmaceutical ingredients. As the Indian pharmaceutical industry is projected to grow from USD 65 billion in 2024 to USD 130 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of over 10 per cent, the expo highlights its potential trajectory. By 2047, the industry is expected to reach an impressive USD 450 billion, underscoring India’s significant role in the global pharmaceutical landscape.

PharmaLytica 2024 witnessed one of the largest gatherings of industry experts, technical heads, quality control and clinical researchers, purchase and packaging professionals, policy advisors, and other key stakeholders. The special inauguration ceremony was marked by the presence of key dignitaries such as Shri Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General, Pharmexcil; Shri AVPS Chakravarthi, Ambassador – World Packaging Organisation & Board Member, Pharmexcil; Orhan Yalman Okan, The Consul General, Consulate General of Turkey, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India and Rahul Deshpande, Senior Group Director, Informa Markets in India.

Highlighting the significant growth of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shri Ravi Uday Bhaskar, Director General of Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), said “During the pandemic and post-pandemic period, the Indian pharmaceutical industry made significant contributions. We exported USD 27.8 billion worth of drugs in the financial year 2024, achieving a 9.6 per cent growth rate despite numerous global challenges. We are expecting to reach more than USD 31 billion in the next financial year. 50 per cent of our exports are going to highly regulated markets. In North America and Europe, it’s almost 55 per cent. In the US, we exported more than 8 billion with a 15 per cent growth rate, and to the UK, we achieved a 21 per cent growth rate. This demonstrates the robust growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, even in challenging situations. As long as India continues to manufacture quality drugs at affordable prices, the industry will remain unmatched.”

Emphasising on the potential of pharma trade between India and Turkey, The Consul General, Consulate General of Turkey, Orhan Yalman Okan, said “Hyderabad is becoming a global city, particularly in the pharma sector, making it the pharma capital of India. Both India and Turkey are rising in this field, presenting significant trade and cooperation opportunities In 2022, the global pharmaceutical market reached a value of USD 1.5 trillion, with Turkey ranking 21st. The Turkish pharmaceutical market grew by an impressive 80 per cent, reaching around USD 38 billion and unit sales hitting USD 2.8 billion. The industry employs over 45,000 staff and offers over 12,000 products. Turkey’s pharmaceutical exports were USD 2.2 billion, reaching over 170 countries. The medical devices market was USD 2.9 billion, and medical tourism contributed USD 2.5 billion. PharmaLytica 2024 aims to foster deeper understanding and cooperation within the pharmaceutical domain. By sharing pertinent insights into Turkey’s pharmaceutical landscape, including its remarkable growth trajectory, regulatory framework, and export prowess, we aim to cultivate a clearer understanding of the sector’s potential.”

 AVPS Chakravarthi, Ambassador, World Packaging Organisation & Board Member Pharmexcil, said, “Pharmalytica has grown into a permanent landmark of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry from Mumbai to Bangalore and now Hyderabad. In life-saving and life-sustaining industries, there’s no room for compromise on quality. Our exports to highly regulated markets like the USA, where over 50 per cent of our products are consumed, reflect our uncompromising standards. The collaboration between India and US authorities aims to ensure the availability of safe, high-quality drugs. Hyderabad, often referred to as the second Silicon Valley of the world, integrates digital and chemical technologies, making it a hub for pharmaceutical innovation. The city hosts more than 214 USFDA-approved facilities, accounting for over 35 per cent of India’s pharmaceutical production. Additionally, Hyderabad is a significant center for medical devices and packaging, having become self-sufficient even during the COVID-19 supply chain challenges.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural, Dr Gaurav Pratap Singh, Senior Principal Scientific Officer, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission said, “India’s reputation as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’ is well-earned, with our commitment to supplying high-quality and affordable medicines globally. Our leadership in vaccine supply to WHO, coupled with meeting the generics demands of the USA, Britain, and Europe, underscores our pivotal role in healthcare accessibility. The significant growth in biosimilars approvals and manufacturing further enhances patient access to biopharmaceuticals. With strategic investments in developing generic and biopharmaceutical versions, India stands poised to maintain its global pharmaceutical leadership. Innovation remains paramount, especially in emerging prophylactic and therapeutic products like medical devices, complex generics, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapy. Setting robust regulations for their development and marketing is crucial for sustained growth. While quality concerns highlighted by WHO and other regulatory agencies necessitate stringent quality control measures, platforms like PharmaLytica 2024 play a vital role in prioritising quality in the pharmaceutical sector. Looking ahead, there’s immense potential to replicate the success of hubs like Hyderabad and Bengaluru in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, creating new avenues for growth in the pharma industry.”

Addressing the opportunities in this sector, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India said, “In 2024, the Indian pharmaceutical industry remains a global leader across the entire supply chain. It ranks third in production by volume and in terms of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) globally. With over 500 different APIs manufactured domestically, India contributes 57 per cent of APIs to the WHO’s prequalified list. The medical devices sector in India stands at a market size of US$ 11 billion.” “By 2032, the India analytical laboratory instruments market is projected to hit $4142.85 million, propelled by the government’s focus on boosting production, notably supported by the flourishing pharmaceutical sector,” he added.

Situated in Hyderabad, the epicentre of India’s bulk drug production, and nestled within South India’s mature pharma ecosystem, Pharmalytica emerges as a vital regional hub for industry leaders and stakeholders with discussions surrounding emerging trends, prevalent challenges, and promising opportunities.”

 Deepak Khurana, Vice President-Procurement & SCM, Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited said, “The Indian pharmaceutical industry is experiencing significant growth and promising prospects. India leads in generic drug manufacturing and exports, meeting global demand for affordable medications. The emphasis on biopharmaceuticals and biosimilars is increasing, driven by their rising demand. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital health solutions and telemedicine adoption, transforming healthcare delivery. Regulatory reforms are set to boost innovation and quality. Indian pharmaceutical companies are ramping up R&D investments for novel drug discoveries. Expansion into emerging markets and a focus on specialty pharmaceuticals further fuel growth. Despite challenges like pricing pressures and regulatory complexities, the industry is poised for continued advancement.”

Offering the industry perspective, Dr Subhash Thuluva, Sr. Vice President & Head – Clinical Development, Biological E. Limited said, “With Indian Pharmaceutical exports projected to grow by 10 per cent, India remains a key global supplier, earning the title ‘Pharmacy of the World’ solidified, catering to 20 per cent of the global demand for generics. The government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes are driving domestic manufacturing, aiming to reduce dependency on imports and enhance competitiveness. Additionally, increased healthcare spending, rising from 1.4 per cent of GDP in 2019 to 2.1 per cent in 2023, supports infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas. As India’s pharmaceutical landscape evolves, strategic investments in R&D are imperative. Beyond incremental advances, there’s a pressing need for innovation across disease spaces, leveraging India’s talent pool and mature ecosystems like Hyderabad. Amidst changing global market dynamics, adherence to quality standards, regulatory compliance, and strategic R&D investments are essential for maintaining competitiveness.”

Dr SD Sinha, Senior Vice President Development, Hetero Group of Companies, said, “The evolution of India’s pharmaceutical sector is a testament to its resilience and adaptability. From generics API and formulations to a diverse array of products including differentiated generics, biologicals, medical devices, and blood products, India’s pharmaceutical landscape has undergone significant transformation. Vertical integration and a focus on uniform quality standards underscore the industry’s commitment to excellence. The proliferation of contract research organisations (CROs), exceeding 500 in number, amplifies support for formulation development, clinical trials, and regulatory sciences, among others. Key strategies such as diversification, geographical expansion, and quality enhancement drive industry growth. Innovative product development, spanning alternate routes, differentiated release mechanisms, and biological therapies, further enrich the sector’s dynamism. Southern India, particularly Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam, and Hyderabad, emerges as a pharmaceutical powerhouse, boasting major API, vaccine, Biosimilar, and CRO manufacturers, contributing significantly to the industry’s vibrancy and competitiveness.”

This year’s edition saw participation of over 8,000 visitors and more than 200 exhibitors showcasing 1000+ brands.  They reaffirmed the need and focus of PharmaLytica as an industry event to boost and facilitate the pharmaceutical sector.  Key exhibitors include Hetero, Emvee Engineers, Schneider Electric, Integrated Cleanroom Technology, Nicomac Taikisha Clean Rooms, HLE Glascoat Ltd, Scientific Research Instruments Company, Ami Polymer and many more. The expos are primarily supported by industry associations such as BDMAI (Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (India), FOPE (Federation of Pharma Entrepreneurs) and IPC (Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission). Additionally, Telangana Life Sciences serves as a supporting partner, while ETRIC is the e-mobility partner for the event.

On the sidelines of the show, an exclusive two-day conference with the theme “Optimising Pharmaceutical Quality and Compliance,”convened with over 35 key industry leaders engaging in strategic discussions about the future of the pharmaceutical sector. On the 1st day, experts delved into technology trends aimed at maximising pharmaceutical productivity, explored analytical advancements transforming pharma labs, and discussed regulatory and quality frameworks essential for biosimilar development. They also covered strategies for drug repositioning, integrating quality in clinical development, innovations in pharma packaging and machinery, and advancements in analytical instrumentation.

Day two focused on strategies for India’s evolution from a generic drug manufacturer to a hub for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production. Discussions included strategic collaborations with Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMOs) and Contract Research Organisations (CROs), innovations in pharma manufacturing, green chemistry, advancements in analytical labs, and enhancements in the pharma supply chain and cold chain management. These sessions were aimed to improve quality and accessibility across production and distribution. Additionally, the conference addressed the industry’s outlook on packaging, labeling, serialisation, and track and trace technologies. With renowned industry speakers, PharmaLytica 2024 offers insightful discussions and valuable networking opportunities, positioning itself as a key event for industry professionals.