India’s Pharma R&D to Receive ₹17,000 Crore Investment by FY28: Pharma Secretary.

India is set to attract nearly ₹17,000 crore in pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) by FY28, focusing on cancer research, lifestyle disease prevention, medical technology, orphan drugs, and new chemical development, according to Amit Agrawal, Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Union Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

The ₹5,000-crore Scheme for Promotion of Research & Innovation in Pharma MedTech Sector (PRIP) is expected to see its first round of disbursements by the end of 2024. "The government will either take equity in selected projects or provide fund infusion based on a milestone-driven approach," Agrawal told businessline.

An Expression of Interest (EoI) has been issued under the scheme, with an initial deadline of April 7 for stakeholder feedback. Project selection is expected to be completed by late April or early May, with the first disbursements happening within six months thereafter.

PRIP Scheme to Boost India’s Pharma R&D Leadership

The PRIP Scheme aims to establish India as a global powerhouse in pharma and MedTech R&D. With an outlay of ₹5,000 crore, ₹4,250 crore is earmarked to accelerate investments in the sector’s R&D ecosystem. "We anticipate an additional ₹17,000 crore investment and expect around 30 new products or technologies to be launched by FY28," Agrawal said.

The government has also planned pan-India roadshows and stakeholder meetings to promote the scheme. The funding is divided into multiple components:

• 
  

  Component A (₹700 crore): Already implemented, this segment includes establishing Centres of Excellence at seven National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) campuses in Mohali, Ahmedabad, Hajipur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Rae Bareli. These focus on antiviral and antibacterial drug development, medical devices, biotherapeutics, bulk drug R&D, flow chemistry, phytopharmaceuticals, and novel drug discovery.

  
  


• 
  

  Component B: This segment, subdivided into three categories, promotes research and innovation in six priority areas:

  
  
  
  
  
  • 
    

    New chemical and biological ellllll,,,ntities, phyto-pharmaceuticals

    
    
  
  
  • 
    

    Complex generics and biosimilars

    
    
  
  
  • 
    

    Precision medicine, stem cell and gene therapies, biomarkers for cancer treatment

    
    
  
  
  • 
    

    Orphan drugs for rare diseases

    
    
  
  
  • 
    

    Drug development for antimicrobial resistance

    
    
  
  
  
  

Funding Structure for R&D Projects

1. 
   

   Established Pharma Companies & Academia Collaboration: Nine projects will be selected, each eligible for up to 35% government support, capped at ₹125 crore.

   
   


2. 
   

   Commercialization-Ready Projects: Thirty projects will receive up to 35% funding, with a maximum of ₹100 crore per project.

   
   


3. 
   

   MSMEs, Startups, & Research-Oriented Companies: 125 projects will receive ₹1 crore each for early-stage R&D. Funding will follow a milestone-based approach over five years, with potential extensions if needed.

   
   

"We may consider extending the timelines based on project requirements," Agrawal added, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening India's pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem.

HBL