India biopharma pipeline jumps to 450 assets from 270: McKinsey

McKinsey said India has more than 2,050 WHO GMP-certified sites.

India’s biopharma innovation pipeline expanded from about 270 assets in 2015 to roughly 450 in 2024, marking a 1.5 times increase over the past decade, according to McKinsey & Company.

India remains the world’s largest hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing, with more than 750 facilities approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and over 2,050 sites certified by the World Health Organization for good manufacturing practices, McKinsey said.

These capabilities continue to underpin cost-efficient production whilst supporting more complex product categories.

Indian firms are expanding beyond generics into biosimilars, injectables, and antibody-drug conjugates, with more than 138 biosimilars approved across global markets, according to McKinsey.

The consultancy noted that India’s innovation growth is supported by strengths in contract manufacturing, operational execution, and increasing adoption of digital health and research tools.

Policy support and capital flows are reinforcing this shift, with the government launching national schemes to boost pharmaceutical and medtech research and development, McKinsey said.

The consultancy added that “brain gain” policies are attracting returning diaspora scientists and global pharma professionals, strengthening domestic capabilities in both scientific discovery and commercialisation.