India-US pharma ties look beyond generics

India-US pharma ties are entering a new phase. The two countries already have a strong pharma relationship, India supplies 40 per cent of US generic pharma. Now, both sides are looking at what comes next. The message came through at the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) National Convention 2026 in Mumbai. Sergio Gor, US Ambassador to India and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra spoke about taking the wider India-US partnership deeper. The timing is significant. Gor said trade in goods and services between the two countries has grown 12-fold to $240 billion. The two countries are targeting $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. “The reason we get 40 per cent of our generic pharma from India, that’s an incredible number, is because we trust India,” said Gor. He sees scope to take that trust further. “Simply put, when the US and India work together, we integrate value chains, accelerate breakthroughs in critical technologies, and strengthen supply chain resilience,” he said. The bigger opportunity Fadnavis wants Maharashtra to play a central role. “The next chapter of the India-US partnership must move from strategic convergence to economic execution. And when that happens, Maharashtra wants to be at the center of that story.” His message to industry is simple. Do more together. He said, “It means moving towards co-investment, co-innovation, co-development and co-creation. It means American technology meeting Indian scale. American capital meeting Indian entrepreneurship. American research meeting Indian talent.” For pharma, this could open up new areas of collaboration. Fadnavis pointed to joint research, technology transfer, global capability centres and manufacturing partnerships. He also described a bigger ambition for India-US manufacturing. “Not merely made in India but increasingly designed together, developed together, manufactured together and taken to the world together.” That is a clear step beyond the traditional generics model. Gor also made a direct pitch to Indian companies. “So here’s my ask of every company in this room. If you’re weighing your next overseas investment, choose the US. Bring your regional project, your R&D center, your manufacturing lines to American soil. If you’ve already invested in America, deepen that commitment further. This is the moment.” He cited Natco Pharma and Aurobindo Pharma among Indian pharma companies that have expanded their operations in the US. He also highlighted Mumbai-based LMAC Packages. The company has partnered with North Carolina-based Aylward to build high-speed pharma packaging equipment. So, what will it take? Deeper partnerships will need a supportive business environment, Gor said. “We need predictable taxation and regulatory frameworks that allow business to thrive. We need candid, trust-based engagement on export controls and technology flows. And we need rock-solid intellectual property protections, giving every innovator in this room the confidence to invest, create and scale without fear.” Maharashtra is making its own pitch to US companies. “Look at Maharashtra as a platform for your India and global growth. Partner with Maharashtra for your manufacturing. Partner with Mumbai for your financial operations. Utilise our talent for your global capability centers. Utilise our technology ecosystem for innovation. Utilise our healthcare ecosystem for research and medical innovation.” Thus, the IACC National Convention brought larger ambition into focus. Anup Acharya, National President, IACC, and Raghavendra Ponkshe, Regional Director–West, IACC, highlighted, the India-US relationship has grown beyond traditional trade and investment. IACC has spent decades building bridges between the two business communities. The next chapter, its leadership said, will be about ideas, investment and partnerships. lakshmipriya.nair@expressindia.com  laxmipriyanair@gmail.com    The post India-US pharma ties look beyond generics appeared first on Express Pharma.