|
Karnataka pharma paces up to reinforce its global presence with Centre of Excellence to bolster innovation
|
|
Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru
August 30 , 2023
|
|
|
Karnataka pharma paces up to reinforce its global presence with a Centre of Excellence to bolster innovation. The state is globally known as a destination for quality products because of its thrust on novel drugs, new drug delivery devices and regulatory compliance.
From a national perspective, Karnataka is home to around two per cent of the total production units with a seven per cent contribution to the total turnover. While India is recognised to have the highest number of US FDA plants, this state accounts for a large number of these facilities, said Harish K Jain, president, Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (KDPMA) and director, Embiotic Labs .
Pharma majors here export to over 100 countries. In fact, seven of the top 20 brands in the country are made in Karnataka. One interesting statistic is that we have one of the lowest percentages of not-of-standard quality drugs in the country against the national average of about 2%, our state reports about 0.8%, he added.
Following the Union government’s support through the productivity linked incentive (PLI) and the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma and Med-Tech Sector (PRIP) schemes have come at a right time and in coming years, companies in Karnataka will work to harvest the fruits of these initiatives. This would help us take off faster to achieve the Indian pharma revenue generation target of US$ 130 billion by 2030, Jain said at the recently concluded KDPMA event titled Nostalgia Golden Memories.
The state pharma sector implemented new Schedule M without asking for an extension. The regular workshops for the sector have inculcated the much-needed accountability to remain compliant to the highest standards of quality. Also from Schedule M, companies are moving up to be PICs complaint. The importance quality to achieve growth in pharma is more relevant than ever before. KDPMA understands that the success lies in constantly upgrading quality and setting benchmarks, he added.
Karnataka has always been a hub for innovation & best global practices. Companies here pioneered high-end contract manufacturing for the production of biologics, vaccines, bulk drugs that have been recognised in the global markets.
Moreover, there is a conducive environment to sustain an ecosystem of research and manufacturing with access to qualified human intellect because of the presence of pharmacy colleges & research Institutions like IISc, NCBA, JNCAR. The power of information technology too has led to the creation of start-ups which propel advances in pharma with the implementation of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, blockchain etc., Jain pointed out.
Our focus is now to enhance our quantum of capability both in terms of volume & value across the bulk drugs, formulations, biologics, biosimilars, drug discovery and medical devices. It is evident that Karnataka will lead from the front for the next generation of innovation & research which will happen in India, because of its scientific prowess, he said.
The Centre of Excellence is envisaged to provide common early stage development with training facilities, and auditorium to host delegate from India and world over. This Centre of Excellence will bring together the expertise of industry, academia, regulators, pharma management and marketing expertise, he said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
That foods might provide therapeutic benefits is clearly not a new concept. ...
|
|
|
|
|