Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Pharma Leaders Seek Faster Trials and Support for Innovation
Pharma leaders say India could make it easier to test new medicines.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said special research hospitals could help companies run early drug trials in India.
She said some companies hold their first tests on people in other countries because approvals at home can take a long time.
She also wants the government to help pay for some life-saving medicines.
That could encourage companies to work on treatments for illnesses that lack good options.
Dilip Shanghvi said developing new medicines is risky and can take years to bring returns.
Glenn Saldanha said companies can pursue innovation through their own research, partnerships, or acquisitions.
He said a Glenmark deal with AbbVie could be worth nearly $2 billion if milestones are reached.
Biocon executive chair Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw urged the government to accredit research hospitals for early-stage drug trials.
She said lengthy domestic approval processes have led companies to conduct first-in-human trials abroad.
Mazumdar-Shaw proposed government reimbursement for life-saving medicines to encourage investment in treatments for unmet needs.
Sun Pharma chair Dilip Shanghvi said innovation requires companies to accept high risks and wait years for returns.
Glenmark chief Glenn Saldanha cited licensing and acquisitions as routes to innovation, including a deal with AbbVie worth up to nearly $2 billion with milestones.
- Who
- Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Sun Pharma's Dilip Shanghvi and Glenmark Pharma's Glenn Saldanha.
- What
- Pharma executives called for faster early-stage trials and discussed government support and business strategies for developing innovative medicines.
- When
- At the IFQM conference on Monday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- At the IFQM conference; the country is identified as India.
- Why
- They said lengthy trial approvals, limited support and the risks of innovation affect companies' ability and willingness to develop new medicines.
Calls for greater support
Industry-led investment paths
Government role in trials and medicine access
Calls for greater support
Mazumdar-Shaw called for accredited research hospitals to make early-stage trials easier in India and proposed public reimbursement for life-saving medicines.
Industry-led investment paths
The article presents Shanghvi and Saldanha emphasizing companies' investment choices, risk-taking, licensing and acquisitions; it does not report them taking a position against government support.
Routes to innovation
Calls for greater support
Saldanha said some companies may develop innovation through their own research.
Industry-led investment paths
Saldanha said other companies could use licensing deals or acquisitions, while Shanghvi described Sun Pharma's Organon acquisition as a way to build global launch capabilities.
- Trial proposal
- Mazumdar-Shaw urged the government to accredit research hospitals with strong ethics committees for first-in-human trials.
- Reimbursement proposal
- She suggested a government-reimbursed programme for life-saving medicines.
- Innovation risk
- Shanghvi described innovation investment as high-risk and high-reward, with returns potentially taking years.
- Sun Pharma target
- The article says the share of innovative medicines in Sun's business is expected to rise from about 22% to 30%.
- Glenmark-AbbVie deal
- The licensing deal included $700 million upfront and could reach nearly $2 billion with milestones.
- Industry outlook
- Saldanha said significant activity in innovation could occur over the next 5–10 years.