Pharma Industry Calls For Faster Funding, Stronger Infrastructure To Power Next Phase Of Innovation

A strong call for enhanced funding, robust infrastructure, and faster decision-making marked the conclusion of the two-day ‘India Pharma 2026’, as policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers underscored the urgency of repositioning India as a global hub for pharmaceutical innovation.

Stakeholders from industry, academia, finance, and government converged on the need for strategic investments and institutional support to move beyond incremental progress toward breakthrough innovation, particularly in advanced therapeutics.

Delivering the valedictory address, Satyaprakash T. L., Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, noted that discussions across sessions converged around three critical enablers: funding, infrastructure, and speed.

“India must proactively position itself in the evolving global pharmaceutical landscape to remain competitive,” he said, stressing the importance of deeper collaboration among government, industry, and academia. While views differed on prioritization, there was broad consensus that coordinated action across sectors is indispensable.

Earlier, a plenary session on “Developing a Vibrant Pharma Financing Ecosystem” highlighted the central role of timely and strategic capital in driving innovation. Speakers pointed out that scientific progress alone would not suffice unless supported by accessible and diverse financing avenues.

Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, Chief Executive Officer, Anusandhan National Research Foundation, outlined the evolving research funding architecture, noting that it combines grant-based support for academic and not-for-profit institutions with capital-driven mechanisms for private enterprises. This blended approach, he suggested, is critical to sustaining long-term innovation.

Panel discussions explored emerging funding routes such as venture capital, private equity, blended finance, and public-private partnerships, which are opening new growth pathways for pharmaceutical companies. Experts emphasized that building a resilient financing ecosystem would require closer alignment between investors, regulators, research institutions, and industry.

At the same time, speakers acknowledged persistent challenges, including long research and development cycles, high-risk investments, and regulatory and market uncertainties. The need for innovative financing models that support the entire value chain—from early-stage discovery to commercialization—was highlighted as essential for accelerating progress and enhancing India’s global competitiveness.

The sixth plenary session focused on charting India’s next phase of pharmaceutical growth by shifting decisively toward innovation-driven transformation. Moderated by Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, the session brought together key voices from the sector.

Reflecting on the evolution of India’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical ecosystem, Dr. Renu Swarup, former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, said the country has made significant progress over the past decade in building a comprehensive innovation value chain spanning discovery, development, and deployment.

She noted that linkages between academia and industry, once fragmented, have now become more cohesive, enabling smoother product development pathways. Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, she described it as a “testbed” that validated India’s capabilities in financing, partnerships, infrastructure, and rapid innovation.

Industry leaders echoed the need for sustained investment and risk-sharing mechanisms. Dilip Shanghvi, Executive Chairman of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, underlined that pharmaceutical innovation is inherently high-risk and requires mechanisms to distribute risk across stakeholders. He emphasized continued investment in research and development, the importance of reimbursement pathways, and the need to build a strong pipeline of innovative products.

“While India has established itself as a global leader in generics and vaccines, the next phase lies in advancing innovative medicines and cutting-edge science,” he said.

At the same time, Pankaj Patel, Chairman of Zydus Lifesciences, highlighted the need for stronger financial support for research and wider market access for new drugs, pointing to existing gaps that could hinder innovation.

Winselow Tucker, Co-Chair of the FICCI Pharma Committee and President and General Manager, Eli Lilly India, stressed that meaningful transformation would require a clear strategic intent backed by a phased roadmap with well-defined milestones.

Across sessions, industry leaders also emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and development, alongside the importance of accountability and transparency among stakeholders.

Organized by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in association with FICCI and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, the event brought together over 800 delegates and more than 60 speakers from across the sector.