CPHI & PMEC India draws 50,000+ global stakeholders to set the next blueprint for pharma

New Delhi: The 18th edition of CPHI & PMEC India, organised by Informa Markets in India, opened at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR, spotlighting the growing strength and global appeal of India’s pharmaceutical industry. With more than 2,000 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors from over 120 countries—including China, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and South Korea—the event emerged as a high-energy hub for innovation, networking, and collaboration.

Covering pharmaceutical machinery, packaging, analytical instruments, lab equipment, cleanroom technology, ingredients, and more, the expo offered a comprehensive platform for industry leaders to explore emerging trends, deepen strategic partnerships, and engage in transformative dialogue.

Beginning 2026, CPHI and PMEC India will be restructured into two specialised shows held across two locations on consecutive days—a shift shaped by extensive stakeholder feedback. The new format will bring sharper focus to each platform: a premium, content-led CPHI at Dwarka, and a scale-optimised PMEC at IEML for machinery and technology exhibitors.

This year’s grand inauguration featured a distinguished lineup of industry leaders, policymakers, and global representatives. Among them were Mr. K. Raja Bhanu, Director General, Pharmexcil; Dr. R Chandrashekar, Joint Drugs Controller, CDSCO; Mr. Harish K Jain, President, FOPE; Mr. Namit Joshi, Chairman, Pharmexcil; Mr. Kaushik Desai, Secretary General, IPEC India and HADSA; Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, IEML; Mr. Satyaprakash TL, Joint Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC; Sri Ch A P Rameswara Rao, National President, BDMAI; Mr. Anil Matai, Director General, OPPI; Mr. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary-General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance; Mr. AVPS Chakravarthi, Ambassador, WPO; and senior leadership from Informa Markets, including Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Deshpande, Sr. Group Director, and Mr. Orhan Caglayan, Executive Vice President – Pharma.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Namit Joshi, Chairman, Pharmexcil, said India must evolve beyond a generics-led model to maintain its global leadership. He emphasised the need for value-driven innovation in areas such as peptides, complex generics, biosimilars, biologics, targeted drug delivery systems, and cell and gene therapies. With transformative drug classes like GLP-1 reshaping healthcare, he noted that India is preparing to enter these high-value markets as patents expire.

Dr. R Chandrashekar, Joint Drugs Controller, CDSCO, highlighted India’s transition toward an innovation-driven ecosystem, supported by regulatory reforms, streamlined approvals, decriminalisation of non-serious offences, and the recommendation of ₹5,000 crore worth of R&D projects. The newly launched ₹1,00,000 crore Hospital Finance scheme, he added, will further energise the country’s research landscape.

Mr. Anil Matai, Director General, OPPI, said India is moving from being “Pharmacy to the World” toward becoming a true pharma powerhouse. He underscored reforms strengthening regulatory processes, innovation, and intellectual property protection, noting that the next five years will mark a significant shift in India’s innovation trajectory.

Mr. Harish K Jain, President, FOPE, stressed that the transformation toward ‘Navachar and Anusandhan’—innovation and research—is inclusive, with MSMEs also making significant contributions. Many MSMEs that began their journeys at CPHI, he noted, now export to more than 100 countries.

Mr. Kaushik Desai, Secretary General, IPEC India and HADSA, described the event as a critical gateway for international visitors and exporters seeking India’s full innovation spectrum—from materials to excipients to advanced machinery. With the Indian pharma industry poised to grow from USD 30 billion in exports to USD 130 billion by 2030 and USD 450 billion by 2047, he stressed the need for stronger policies, monitoring, and accountability.

From the machinery segment, Mr. Sudish Sukumaran of Elmach Packages highlighted India’s expanding pharmaceutical packaging machinery industry, which is growing at 16–20% annually. With rising demand in chronic therapies, oncology, nutraceuticals, and high-containment solutions, India is cementing its place as a global hub for oral solid packaging equipment.

Dr. Sridevi Khambhampaty, CEO, Shilpa Biologicals, noted that biosimilars and innovative biologics are entering an inflection point globally, with regulatory easing in the US and Europe accelerating development timelines. Shilpa Biologicals, she said, is expanding partnerships in Switzerland and the US while strengthening its biosimilars portfolio with plans for over six products in the next four years.

Highlighting this year’s significance, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said India’s pharma sector has doubled its exports to USD 30 billion, with nearly half of global life sciences leaders now present in the country. Strong international participation this year, he added, reflects global confidence in India’s innovation capabilities. The decision to separate CPHI and PMEC further aims to deliver more focused, meaningful business engagement.

The event showcased leading companies including Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Hetero Labs, Oceanic Pharmachem, Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Morepen Laboratories, MSN Laboratories, Capsugel Healthcare, Biocon, and Jubilant Ingrevia. On the machinery front, PMEC India featured major players such as ACG Pam Pharma Technologies, Cadmach Machinery, Ace Technologies, Parle Global Technologies, Klenzaids, Gansons, Elmach Packages, Shimadzu India, and Snowbell Machines.

This year’s edition also drew strong support from key industry bodies including Pharmexcil, IPEC India, BDMAI, OPPI, FOPE, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), alongside active participation from regulators and policymakers.