Biotech: Biosimilars, Vaccines and Novel Science

Overview

India's biotechnology sector has historically excelled in vaccines and biosimilars, supplying large global volumes at competitive cost. The industry is gradually broadening toward novel biologics, cell and gene therapy research, and bio-services (contract biologics development and manufacturing). Strong scientific talent and cost-efficient capacity underpin the opportunity.

Biosimilars - lower-cost versions of biologic drugs going off-patent - represent a large, expanding global market where Indian firms are well positioned. Vaccine manufacturing capability, demonstrated at scale, remains a strategic asset. Government support for bio-manufacturing and a growing venture ecosystem are seeding earlier-stage innovation.

Biotech carries higher scientific, clinical and regulatory risk than generic pharma, with longer development timelines and binary trial outcomes for novel work. The biosimilar and bio-services segments offer more predictable, nearer-term returns than frontier therapeutics.

Key Players

Investment Outlook

Biotech offers structural growth via biosimilars and bio-services, with novel therapeutics as higher-risk optionality. We favour firms with commercialised biosimilar portfolios and bio-services revenue over pure discovery-stage risk.

All figures are indicative and for information only - not investment advice or a recommendation. Market sizes, growth rates and financial metrics are hedged estimates that vary by source and period. Please consult your advisor before investing.