New Delhi, June 11, 2026: India is rapidly strengthening its position as a global pharmaceutical powerhouse while preparing to lead the next wave of biopharmaceutical innovation, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, said today while addressing ASSOCHAM’s Pharma Summit & Awards 2026.
Emphasising the importance of resilient healthcare supply chains and self-reliance in critical sectors, the Minister said that India’s journey towards becoming Atmanirbhar in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology is both an economic aspiration and a strategic necessity. She highlighted the success of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in strengthening domestic manufacturing of APIs and critical drugs, noting that India has significantly enhanced its production capabilities and reduced import dependence across key pharmaceutical inputs.
Describing biopharmaceuticals as India’s next strategic frontier, Smt. Patel said the Government’s recently announced ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti Mission reflects a strong national commitment to building capabilities in novel biologics, advanced therapies and innovation-led healthcare solutions. She noted that the initiative aims to facilitate the development of at least 100 biologics by 2047 and will play a crucial role in positioning India as a global hub for next-generation healthcare innovation while further strengthening its leadership in affordable generic medicines.
“The future of pharma will belong to those who innovate, collaborate and build for the world, and India is ready to lead,” she said, calling for greater collaboration among government, industry, academia, startups, investors, regulators and healthcare institutions to strengthen research, manufacturing, supply chains and global quality standards.
Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, said, “India’s pharmaceutical industry is entering a new phase of growth driven by innovation, quality, regulatory excellence and global competitiveness. As the sector moves towards complex biologics, advanced therapies and high-value products, strengthening research capabilities, manufacturing excellence and resilient supply chains will be critical to positioning India as a preferred global pharmaceutical and healthcare partner.”
Mr. Anil K. Agarwal, Past President, ASSOCHAM, said, “India’s pharmaceutical sector stands at a defining moment where innovation, regulatory excellence and collaborative partnerships can position the country as a global leader in advanced healthcare solutions. Through platforms such as the Pharma Summit & Awards, ASSOCHAM continues to facilitate meaningful dialogue that supports the growth of a future-ready healthcare ecosystem.”
The summit, themed “Next-Gen Pharma: Building Future-Ready Value Chain,” brought together senior representatives from government, industry, academia and healthcare institutions such as Mr. Ishteyaque Amjad, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Pharma Council & Managing Director -Policy & Global Govt. Affairs, Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Nakul Verma, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Pharma Council & Head – Government Affairs, Sanofi India,Dr. Y.K. Gupta, President, AIIMS Kalyani & Former Dean, AIIMS Delhi and many more, to explore pathways for building a future-ready pharmaceutical ecosystem aligned with the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Delivering the Key Address, Mr. Aniket Raje, Regulatory Country Head, India, Sanofi, said, “Innovation ultimately creates value only when it reaches the patients who need it. At Sanofi, we recognize that the pharmaceutical industry is entering a new era of innovation, where biologics, biosimilars, gene therapies and personalized medicines are increasingly complementing traditional small-molecule therapies. In this evolving landscape, strengthening regulatory science is critical to enabling timely patient access, supporting innovation and building stakeholder confidence.”
The summit also witnessed the release of ASSOCHAM’s Knowledge Paper, “Next-Gen Pharma: Building Future-Ready Value Chain,” which outlines a strategic roadmap to strengthen India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem through innovation, advanced therapies, digital transformation, resilient supply chains, and regulatory modernisation.
The event also recognised and celebrated excellence across the pharmaceutical sector through the ASSOCHAM Pharma Excellence Awards 2026, honouring organizations and leaders for their outstanding contributions to innovation, quality, research, manufacturing excellence and healthcare advancement.
