Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Pharma leaders say risk aversion is slowing Indian drug innovation
Biocon chair Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw says Indian pharmaceutical companies are too cautious about the risks involved in developing new medicines.
She made the comments at a quality management meeting in New Delhi, where she and other industry leaders discussed India's move beyond its long-standing focus on generic drugs.
Drug discovery is uncertain: only one or two out of every 10 candidates reach the final stages and meet commercial goals.
Mazumdar-Shaw said companies need to keep replenishing their drug development pipelines and use digital technology to move potential medicines forward.
She said Biocon has advanced an anti-cancer drug to Phase III clinical trials and that India's regulatory process is making progress.
Sun Pharma's Dilip Shanghvi said innovation could help Indian companies compete globally and serve patients, while Glenmark's Glenn Saldanha said deals and licensing can help build scale.
Saldanha expects to see more development in the field over the next five to 10 years.
Indian pharmaceutical leaders said risk aversion is holding back the development of innovative drugs.
Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said technology could help the sector move drug candidates into clinical trials faster.
Sun Pharma executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said innovation should be a priority for Indian companies seeking global growth and better patient outcomes.
Glenmark Pharma chairman Glenn Saldanha said companies could build scale in innovation through deals or licensing.
The leaders spoke at a quality management meeting in New Delhi organised by the Indian Foundation of Quality Management.
- Who
- Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Sun Pharma executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi and Glenmark Pharma chairman Glenn Saldanha.
- What
- They said risk aversion and other obstacles were slowing innovation in Indian pharmaceuticals, and called for a stronger focus on innovative medicines.
- When
- The meeting took place last week, according to the article published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The leaders said innovation could support global growth and help patients, while technology and partnerships could speed drug development.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
In pharma and biopharma, the pipeline is the lifeline,
If we want to succeed and become big globally and help patients, our focus on innovation is needed and that I think should be the priority.
We need a continuous pipeline, and we should see a lot in the next five to 10 years,
It is time to leapfrog with the help of digital technology.
Sun Pharma agreed to buy US-based Organon for $11.75 billion.
Industry leaders discussed the future of Indian pharmaceuticals at a quality management meeting in New Delhi.
- Meeting location
- New Delhi
- Drug candidate success rate
- One or two out of 10 candidates advance to final stages and meet commercial milestones
- Biocon drug
- An anti-cancer drug had advanced to Phase III clinical trials
- Organon deal
- Sun Pharma agreed to buy Organon for $11.75 billion
- Industry outlook
- Saldanha said a lot could be seen in the next five to 10 years
Sources
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