“There is no second thought on the capability of the Indian pharma industry and Bangalore is gearing up to play its role as a pharma destination for the future. Companies like Biocon, Strides Arcolab and Micro Labs have exercised their strengths not just in exports of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations but portray their expertise and reliability in adhering to timeline deliveries in contract research and manufacturing services. Apotex Pharmachem India, an associated company of Apotex Pharmachem Inc., Canada, has set up an integrated operation for API research and manufacturing formulations to clinical studies, committing over $ 100 million and will create over 1,000 jobs in Bengaluru,” says Dr P M Akbarali, Managing Director of the Bengaluru based Apotex Pharmachem India.
“Bangalore complements the supportive knowledge-based environment created for the growth of the pharma industry,” continues Dr Akbarali. Supply of quality students from the academic institutions could be a differential as far as sourcing the intellectual capital required to support the foundation is concerned. The technical support in solid state chemistry from research centres have chipped in the necessary inputs for Intellectual Property that could help challenge patents and give the companies an edge in the developed market of US, Europe and Japan. The advanced information technology industry too makes up for the much-needed support. Many companies from abroad setting up R&D centres in India and Bengaluru are a testimony to this recognition.
India can be known as the Pharma Powerhouse going by the industry’s maturity to meet the challenges of regulated regimes of the developed countries and provide cost competitive drugs, he said.
In a recap on the performance of Indian pharma so far, Dr Akbarali pointed out that the current scene is quite upbeat from an industry growth point of view. Today, the knowledge base is strong and the critical mass in terms of skilled personnel are making significant contributions for the growth of the sector. The presence of a dedicated US FDA office here for South Asia recognizes India’s prowess in the regulated regions.
