AI is poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating drug discovery, enabling precision medicine, and fundamentally shaping India's healthcare ecosystem. Pharma leaders emphasized that the industry must prioritize reimagining core processes rather than simply digitizing existing systems.
During the first day of the 9th ‘India Pharma 2026,’ policymakers, industry captains, and technology experts gathered to chart the ambitious future of life sciences. Attendees stressed that a robust data and technology foundation is critical for scalable AI adoption and immediate efficiency gains through automation in clinical settings.
Policy Shifts: Bridging Research and Market Intent
A major focus across the expert panels was the urgent need to bridge the gap between stated policy intent and effective on-ground execution. Industry leaders stressed adopting an industry-led model for Research and Development (R&D).Manoj Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the necessity of strengthening government laboratory networks and aligning the current regulatory model with global standards, particularly those observed in Europe. Similarly, Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research, noted that while funding has increased, the country requires a "Bharat model" of R&D, which must be backed by market confidence in innovators and increased trust between academia and industry.
Investment and Ecosystem Integration for Innovation
To nurture research-driven enterprises, industry experts echoed a critical call for increased venture capital participation and the establishment of co-funding mechanisms. There is a recognized need to integrate academic and industry efforts to translate early-stage scientific breakthroughs into viable, global commercial solutions.The importance of establishing strong, integrated ecosystems was underlined across the sessions, ensuring that R&D initiatives do not remain theoretical.
Regulatory Alignment and Global Standards
The journey towards a globally competitive pharma sector requires predictable and standardized operating guidelines. Discussions emphasized creating a regulatory framework that is not only efficient but also globally aligned.Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drug Controller General of India, stressed that continuous stakeholder consultation is crucial for building responsive and effective regulatory systems.
AI's Transformative Impact and Global CRDMO Powerhouse Status
The transformative potential of artificial intelligence was a key discussion point, exploring its application across the entire pharmaceutical value chain. Experts highlighted AI's power to accelerate complex discovery processes.Furthermore, the panel focused keenly on India’s growing stature in the global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO) landscape. The Indian CRDMO industry is currently valued at around $8 billion. Reflecting robust global outsourcing demand, this sector has been expanding at a strong pace of 10–12 per cent, solidifying India's place in the global supply chain.
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