India’s biotech ambitions face talent and IP challenges

These concerns may lead to a struggle to attract leading drugmakers.

India’s aims to advance its biotechnology sector are at risk due to a weak intellectual property (IP) framework and a significant gap in domestic expertise, according to BMI.

The country’s focus on generic small molecules has left it with limited expertise in advanced biologics, resulting in a talent shortfall due to the specialised skills and research capacity required for their development.

This potentially leads to a struggle in attracting drugmakers to develop advanced biologics, restricting partnerships to manufacturing simpler biologics instead.

Meanwhile, India’s IP framework has drawn criticism for not meeting international standards despite recent efforts to improve.

“The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America trade association has recommended placing India on the Priority Watch List of the 2024 Special 301 Report, reflecting ongoing concerns from leading multinational drugmakers,” the report said.