India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The market size of the active pharmaceutical ingredients sector in India is projected to experience significant growth over the forecast period. This expansion is driven by various factors, including government initiatives to boost domestic production, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the rising geriatric population. The market's growth is further supported by the growing adoption of biologics and biosimilars, as well as strategic collaborations and agreements among companies. Despite these positive trends, challenges such as stringent drug approval regulations, competitive pressures, and drug price policies may pose obstacles to the market's expansion.

Market Size of India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Industry

India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Forecast Data Period 2024 - 2029
Market Size (2024) USD 13.64 Billion
Market Size (2029) USD 20.32 Billion
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 8.31 %

Major Players

India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market Analysis

The India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market size is estimated at USD 13.64 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 20.32 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.31% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The COVID-19 pandemic not only impacted the entire pharmaceutical supply chain but also disrupted the supply of APIs from China. This led to an increase in the cost of many prescription medications and the shortage of essential drugs in the country. As per an article published in November 2020, due to the pandemic outbreak, supplies of raw materials from China to produce medications for treating chronic diseases, such as HIV, cancer, epilepsy, and malaria, and even commonly used antibiotics and vitamin pills were affected. This led to a shortage of drugs, especially in the cardiovascular and antibiotic categories. However, the government initiatives to increase the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients have positively impacted market growth. For instance, in June 2020, the Indian government readied INR 10,000 crore (USD 100 billion) in schemes to boost the domestic production of APIs. The scheme entails providing production-linked incentives (PLIs) worth 6,490 crores (approximately USD 65 billion) to companies that invest in domestic manufacturing of critical key starting materials (KSM), which require active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), for drugs used to treat diabetes, tuberculosis, steroids, and antibiotics. This is expected to increase the market growth over the forecast period.

Other factors boosting the market growth include the increasing prevalence of infectious, genetic, cardiovascular, and other chronic disorders, the growing geriatric population, expanding adoption of biologics and biosimilars, and the rising production of generic drugs in the country.

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the world's third-largest drug producer by volume. India operates over 250 facilities approved by the USFDA and UKMHRA and provides generic pharmaceuticals at affordable prices to millions of people worldwide.

The rising burden of infectious, genetic, and other chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders is the key factor driving the market growth. For instance, as per the 2022 statistics published by IDF, about 74 million people had diabetes in 2021 in India, and this number is estimated to reach 92.9 million by 2030. Thus, the high diabetic population in the country raises the company's focus on developing advanced and safe drugs that require a large amount of API, propelling the market growth.

The growing geriatric population is more prone to develop chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, arthritis, etc., due to weak immunity. Aging affects many cellular processes predisposing to neurodegeneration, which is anticipated to increase market growth. For a study published in May 2021, about 18,896 people were screened for Parkinson's disease. The overall pervasiveness of the disease was almost 42.3 per 100,000. According to the same source, the prevalence over the age of 60 was 308.9 per 100,000, reflecting the trend of increasing disease predominance. Hence, the high burden of Parkinson's disorders among the elderly is anticipated to increase the demand for various therapeutic drugs and treatments. This is expected to boost the demand for APIs over market growth.

The increasing adoption of biosimilars and biologic drugs and rising company initiatives are expected to increase market growth. For instance, in October 2022, Biocon Biologics entered into a strategic out-licensing agreement with Yoshindo, a Japanese pharmaceutical company, to commercialize two of its pipeline biosimilar assets, Ustekinumab and Denosumab, in Japan. Also, in May 2022, Biocon biologic and Viatris launched bevacizumab (Abevmy), a biosimilar of Avastin (Roche), to treat various cancer in Canada.

Furthermore, the government of India is taking initiatives to boost API products in the market, which will benefit market growth. For instance, as per the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), in January 2021, the Central government announced to set up of three bulk drug parks for INR 14,300 crores (USD 1,957 million) to manufacture chemical compounds or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for medicines and reduce imports from China. Also, in June 2021, the Finance Minister of India announced an additional outlay of INR 197,000 crores (USD 26,578.3 million) that will be utilized over five years for the pharmaceutical PLI scheme in 13 key sectors, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients, drug intermediaries, and key starting materials.

Moreover, the increasing company's focus on adopting various business strategies, such as collaboration, agreement, and others, and rising generic drug production in the country contribute to market growth. For instance, in January 2022, Alembic Pharmaceuticals received USFDA approval for its generic Entacapone tablets for treating patients with Parkinson's disease. The drug is available in the strength of 200mg as well. As of March 2021, Piramal Pharma Solution acquired a 100% stake in Hemmo Pharmaceuticals Pvt. for INR 775 crores (approx USD 85 million). This acquisition signals PPS' entry into the development and production of peptide APIs. This competency complements PPS' current service offering as it continues to grow and expand its capabilities and position as a top CDMO.

Therefore, owing to the aforementioned factors, the studied market is expected to grow over the forecast period. However, the stringent regulations for drug approvals, various drug price policies in the country, and high competition among API manufacturers are expected to hinder India's active pharmaceutical ingredient market growth over the forecast period.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Industry Segmentation

An active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is a part of any drug that produces its effects. Some drugs, such as combination therapies, have multiple active ingredients to treat different symptoms or act in different ways. They are produced using highly technological industrial processes, both during the research and development and the commercial production phase.

The India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market is Segmented by Business Mode (Captive API and Merchant API), Synthesis Type (Synthetic and Biotech), Drug Type (Generic and Branded), and Application (Cardiology, Oncology, Pulmonology, Neurology, Orthopedic, Ophthalmology, and Other Applications). The report offers the value (in USD billion) for the above segments.

By Business Mode
Captive API
Merchant API
By Synthesis Type
Synthetic
Biotech
By Drug Type
Generic
Branded
By Application
Cardiology
Oncology
Pulmonology
Neurology
Orthopedic
Ophthalmology
Other Applications
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India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market Size Summary

The Indian active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) market is poised for significant growth, driven by a combination of government initiatives, increasing disease prevalence, and a robust pharmaceutical manufacturing base. The market is expected to expand substantially over the forecast period, supported by the government's efforts to boost domestic production through schemes like production-linked incentives. These initiatives aim to reduce dependency on imports, particularly from China, and enhance the production of critical APIs used in the manufacture of essential medications. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, being the third-largest globally by volume, plays a crucial role in providing affordable generic drugs and is well-positioned to meet the rising demand for APIs due to the increasing burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders.

The market growth is further bolstered by the expanding geriatric population, the rising adoption of biologics and biosimilars, and the increasing production of generic drugs. The prevalence of chronic conditions, coupled with the aging population, is driving the demand for advanced therapeutics, which in turn fuels the need for APIs. Additionally, strategic collaborations and expansions by key players in the industry are contributing to the market's dynamism. Despite the promising growth prospects, the market faces challenges such as stringent regulatory requirements and intense competition among manufacturers. Nonetheless, the ongoing government and industry efforts to enhance API production capabilities are expected to sustain the market's upward trajectory in the coming years.

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India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 1.1 Market Overview

    2. 1.2 Market Drivers

      1. 1.2.1 Increasing Prevalence of Infectious, Genetic, Cardiovascular, and Other Chronic Disorders

      2. 1.2.2 Rising Research & Development Activities of Generic Drugs

      3. 1.2.3 Increasing Adoption of Biologicals and Biosimilars

    3. 1.3 Market Restraints

      1. 1.3.1 Drug Price Control Policies

      2. 1.3.2 Stringent Regulations and Drug Price Policies in the Country

    4. 1.4 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.4.1 Threat of New Entrants

      2. 1.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

      3. 1.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      4. 1.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products

      5. 1.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size by Value - USD million)

    1. 2.1 By Business Mode

      1. 2.1.1 Captive API

      2. 2.1.2 Merchant API

    2. 2.2 By Synthesis Type

      1. 2.2.1 Synthetic

      2. 2.2.2 Biotech

    3. 2.3 By Drug Type

      1. 2.3.1 Generic

      2. 2.3.2 Branded

    4. 2.4 By Application

      1. 2.4.1 Cardiology

      2. 2.4.2 Oncology

      3. 2.4.3 Pulmonology

      4. 2.4.4 Neurology

      5. 2.4.5 Orthopedic

      6. 2.4.6 Ophthalmology

      7. 2.4.7 Other Applications

India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market Size FAQs

The India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market size is expected to reach USD 13.64 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 8.31% to reach USD 20.32 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Market size is expected to reach USD 13.64 billion.

API Market in India Size - Industry Report on Share, Growth Trends & Forecasts Analysis (2024 - 2029)