India Must Shift From Generics to Innovation-Led Growth: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw urges India to move from generic medicines to innovation-led growth through R&D and regulatory reforms.
India’s pharmaceutical sector stands at a critical crossroads, needing to transition from its current dominance in generic medicines to a future defined by breakthrough innovation. This was the central message delivered by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon and Syngene International, during the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) Symposium 2026.
Speaking virtually, the industry veteran emphasized that while the generic medicine success story has been monumental for the nation, the next chapter must be written through research, development, and high-value drug discovery.
Moving From Volume to Value
Mazumdar-Shaw highlighted that India possesses the necessary talent and technical capabilities to move discoveries from the laboratory stage through clinical development and into global commercial markets. However, she warned that a more robust and credible ecosystem is required to compete with the world's leading pharmaceutical giants.
"Generics is a great success story for India, but we need to follow this with innovation and an innovation-led strategy," she stated. She further suggested that India should benchmark its progress against nations like China to ensure it remains globally competitive.
A key pillar of this transition is the concept of moving "from volume to value." To achieve this, Mazumdar-Shaw stressed that:
- Investment in Research and Development (R&D) must be a continuous, sustained effort rather than a one-time occurrence.
- The drug development pipeline must be constantly replenished, as it serves as the "lifeline" of the pharma industry.
- Quality must remain the central focus across research, manufacturing, and clinical development.
The Need for Regulatory Speed and Digital Integration
To support an innovation-led model, the regulatory landscape must evolve. While Mazumdar-Shaw noted positive signs of better alignment between regulators and industry requirements, she called for much faster reforms to ensure India does not fall behind in the global race for drug development.
She specifically pointed toward the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies to revolutionize the sector by shortening review timelines and accelerating regulatory approvals. She urged Indian policymakers to study the regulatory frameworks of countries like Australia and China to find ways to move new medicines through clinical development more efficiently.
Biocon's Leap into Global Markets
Highlighting the practical application of these goals, Mazumdar-Shaw shared updates on Biocon’s own journey into innovative drug development. She noted that the company has successfully moved one of its assets into Phase III clinical development in the United States and is currently advancing another cancer drug programme.
Her message to the industry was clear: India has a golden opportunity to become a vital part of the global innovation ecosystem, provided it commits to sustained investment, regulatory agility, and a relentless focus on creating new medicines.