At BioAsia in Hyderabad, experts spoke about India’s growing role in global health and life sciences during a panel called “India’s Innovation Moment: Scaling the Next Phase of Global Impact.” Government officials, industry leaders, and technology experts discussed how India is moving beyond just manufacturing medicines to creating new research, advanced treatments, and digital health solutions. They emphasized the need for increased investment, robust partnerships, and supportive policies to enable India to become a global leader in healthcare innovation.
Dr. Murali Ramachandra, CEO of Aurigene Oncology, stated that Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories was one of the first Indian companies to focus on innovative drug discovery, having secured early global licensing deals, although only a few of those drugs reached the market. He added that overall success has been limited, but companies such as Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Lupin Limited, Zydus Lifesciences, and Orchid Pharma have made progress, especially in conducting global clinical trials and gaining approvals for antibiotics.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), said that public funding and the growth of start-ups have helped turn innovative ideas into real solutions in no time. However, he mentioned that India now needs to focus more on commercialising these innovations and building strong global partnerships to take them to international markets.
Industry leaders agreed. Sridhar Gopal from AbbVie said many global companies now see India as an important place for innovation because of its skilled people, quick work pace, and strong digital support. Nataraj Kalyanaraman from Bristol Myers Squibb said India must keep investing in advanced research and better clinical facilities to stay competitive worldwide.
Technology leaders also shared their views and perspectives. Vikas Jain from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Raja Jammalamadaka from Roche Digital Centre said artificial intelligence and data-driven research will play a big role in future growth. Greg Killian of EPAM Systems added that India’s large talent pool and scale give it a strong chance to shape global health innovation in the coming decade.
Mansi Kadam is a market research writer with over 3 years of experience analyzing trends in the healthcare industry. At Towards Healthcare, she covers innovations in medical sector, sustainability initiatives, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
