Top 15 Life Sciences Companies in India
Over the years, India’s life sciences sector has experienced a notable and consistent growth trajectory, driven by a dedicated emphasis on pioneering research, developmental initiatives, and technological breakthroughs. This impressive evolution owes its success to an array of companies that have played a pivotal role in the expansion of the sector. These companies, by virtue of their remarkable contributions and innovations, have not only propelled the field forward but have also earned recognition on both national and global stages. Here’s a list of the top 15 life sciences companies in India and what is their primary scope of work.
- Serum Institute of India Ltd
The Serum Institute of India is one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers and has gained worldwide recognition due to its role in developing the effective COVID-19 vaccine – Covisheild. By collaborating with global health organizations, it plays a crucial role in enhancing public health through the provision of affordable and accessible vaccines. The brand continues to lead in the Indian sector, with its annual revenue exceeding Rs 25000 crore.
Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive of Serum Institute of India, carries on the legacy of his father Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla called the ‘Vaccine King of India’. The brand played a pivotal role in vaccine development and production to fight polio, measles, and more recently COVID.
- Biocon Ltd
Biocon stands out as a highly renowned biopharmaceutical enterprise within India. The company is dedicated to offering cost-effective healthcare solutions and offers a profound proficiency across diverse domains, including research services, small molecules, and biologics. Its impactful endeavors not only foster an environment of continuous advancement but also extend resolutely into vital therapeutic areas such as diabetes, cancer, and immunology. The brand’s annual revenue is over Rs 5800 crores.
Biocon is spearheaded by Indian billionaire entrepreneur, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who founded the brand and remains its executive chairperson. She has been felicitated with numerous awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, for her contributions to India’s biotechnology industry and featured on TIME magazine’s list of 100 most influential people in the world.
- Reliance Life Science Pvt Ltd
Reliance Life Sciences has achieved significant progress in the realms of molecular medicine, regenerative medicine, and biopharmaceuticals. Their notable strides have positioned them as a key player in the industry, underpinned by their strong commitment to scientific advancement and seamless integration of technology. The brand has a strong presence with an annual turnover of over Rs 1960 crores.
KV Subramaniam is the President and CEO of Reliance Life Sciences – a visionary leader known for his commitment to advancements in biotechnology. Under his stewardship, Reliance Life Sciences has been recognized for its stem cell research and regenerative medicine efforts, contributing to advancements in healthcare.
- Bharat Biotech International Ltd
Bharat Biotech, a pioneer in vaccine design and manufacturing, has risen to prominence. Their wide-ranging portfolio includes vaccines targeting diverse diseases, the brand places a strong emphasis on leveraging domestic research capabilities and cutting-edge technology to effectively tackle pressing public health issues. With an annual revenue of over Rs 8300 crores, Bharat Biotech is one of the country’s top pharma companies.
The brand was founded by Indian scientist and entrepreneur Krishna Ella, who is also the Managing Director. Led by Ella, Bharat Biotech is credited with the creation of India’s own COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, which was granted emergency use authorization and played a vital role in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
- Biological E Ltd
Biological E Ltd is a prominent Indian pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, specializing in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. Renowned for its commitment to public health, the company has played a vital role in providing vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis, polio, and, more recently, COVID-19. The brand has seen significant growth in recent years, with its annual revenue rising above Rs 2588 crores.
Since 2001, as the Managing Director of Biological E Ltd, Dr. Mahima Datla has been leading the company’s vaccine development and public health initiatives. The brand is highly regarded for its contributions to India’s Universal Immunization Program and COVID-19 vaccination efforts. It was awarded the Outstanding Export Performance Award from the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
- TCG Lifesciences (Chembiotek)
TCG Lifesciences Pvt. Limited, formerly known as “Chembiotek Research International,” stands as a prominent and influential entity in the worldwide domain of Contract Research and CDMO services. The company has established itself as a pioneer, channeling its efforts into providing groundbreaking and inventive Research and Development (R&D) solutions within the expansive realms of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and associated industries. The annual revenue for TCG is over Rs 290 crore.
Led by Dr. Swapan Bhattacharya, Managing Director and co-founder, TCG Life Sciences has built a reputation for drug discovery and development services. The brand was awarded the Frost & Sullivan India Indian Drug Discovery Research Organization of the Year for its contribution to integrated drug discovery services.
- Jubilant Biosys
Jubilant Biosys is a leading Indian contract research organization (CRO) specializing in drug discovery and contract research services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. The company is known for its expertise in medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, and biology, offering comprehensive solutions for early-stage drug development. Jubilant Biosys collaborates with global pharmaceutical companies, aiding them in the discovery of new drug candidates and advancing innovative therapies.
Giuliano Perfetti leads Jubilant Biosys as the CEO, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience as he has also contributed to the world’s biggest pharma brands including Astra Zeneca and Eli Lilly. Jubilant Biosys has been recognized as “Company of the Year in Drug Discovery Services” by Outlook Business Magazine.
- Aragen (Formerly GVK)
Aragen Life Sciences is a leading Indian contract research organization (CRO) specializing in pharmaceutical research and development services. The company is known for its expertise in providing integrated solutions across the drug discovery and development continuum. Aragen offers services in areas such as target discovery, early-stage research, preclinical development, and clinical trial support. With over 450 international clients, including many leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies Aragen Life Sciences generates annual revenue of over Rs 1200 crore.
Manni Kantipudi, CEO, of Aragen Life Sciences, has been instrumental in leading the company’s efforts and has been recognized as the ‘CEO of the Year 2022’ at CPHI Frankfurt, Germany. The brand has also been recognized for its work culture and sustainability practices with numerous awards.
- BASF
BASF India Limited, a subsidiary of the global chemical conglomerate BASF, is a prominent player in the Indian biochemical industry. The company is known for its wide range of products and solutions, spanning various sectors, including agriculture, chemicals, plastics, and performance products. The brand is known for its commitment to sustainability practices, innovative solutions, and support for Indian agriculture through advanced agricultural products and technologies. BASF India Limited records annual revenue of roughly Rs 3800 crore.
Mr. Alexander Gerding has been serving as the Managing Director of BASF India Limited since January 2023. Under his leadership, BASF India has continued to expand its presence in the Indian market. The brand has won numerous awards in recognition of its efforts at energy conservation and sustainability.
- Ventri Biological Pvt Ltd
Ventri Biological Pvt Ltd is a company that produces and supplies pharmaceutical and biological products, such as tablets, capsules, ointments, and vaccines. The company is known for its quality and innovation in the field of animal health and nutrition.
- Laurus Labs
Laurus Labs develops and manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for various therapeutic areas, such as antiretrovirals, hepatitis C, and oncology. The company is based in Hyderabad, India, and was founded by Dr. Satyanarayana Chava in 2005. Laurus Labs is known for its quality and innovation in the field of API production and formulation development. The annual revenue for the company is over Rs 4900 crore.
The company is led by Dr. Satyanarayana Chava, who is the founder, CEO, and managing director of Laurus Labs. He has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has been instrumental in establishing and expanding the company’s business. With its rapid rise, the company bagged the Economic Times Corporate Excellence Award for the “Emerging Company Of The Year, 2021”.
- Mylab Discovery Solutions
Mylab Discovery Solutions is a company that develops and commercializes diagnostic kits for various diseases and applications, such as COVID-19, cancer, infectious diseases, genomics, veterinary science, and agro science. The company has witnessed rapid growth, generating annual revenue of over Rs 800 crore and building a reputation for quality and innovation in the field of molecular diagnostics.
Mylab is led by its co-founder and managing director, Hasmukh Rawal, who has been instrumental in the company’s growth. The company’s main achievements include launching PathoDetect COVID-19 Qualitative PCR kit, the first made-in-India test kit for COVID-19, which received approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research in 2020 and also earned the brand the prestigious ‘National Technology Award’.
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company that develops, produces, and commercializes biotherapeutics for various life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular, neurology, nephrology, and oncology. The company is known for its quality and innovation in the field of molecular diagnostics and mRNA vaccines. The annual revenue of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is over Rs 340 crore.
The company is led by Dr. Sanjay Singh, who is the CEO and founder of Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. Its main achievements include launching TENECTASE®, the first and only thrombolytic approved for acute ischemic stroke in India, and developing GEMCOVAC®, India’s first mRNA vaccine for COVID-19.
- Syngene India
Syngene India is a company that provides contract research, development, and manufacturing services to various industries, such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, animal health, consumer goods, and agrochemicals. Syngene works with some of the world’s leading biotech companies, providing dedicated research facilities and lots more. The company’s annual revenue has witnessed remarkable growth, now exceeding Rs 3100 Crore.
The company is led by Mr. Jonathan Hunt, who is the CEO and managing director of Syngene India. He has over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has been instrumental in driving growth and innovation for Syngene. The brand topped the CMO Leadership Awards 2022 in all six core award categories.
- Strand Lifesciences
Strand Lifesciences is a global genomic profiling and bioinformatics company that provides bioinformatics solutions and services for various domains, such as diagnostics, drug discovery, and biodiversity. The company specializes in data mining, computational chemistry, bioinformatics, and research biology, and many other services for life sciences research and clinical decisions.
The company is led by Dr. Vijay Chandru, who is the co-founder and director of Strand Lifesciences. Strand Lifesciences’ lab in India has accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
Conclusion
Our spotlight on a selection of prominent firms offers a glimpse into the dynamic nature of the Indian life sciences sector. However, this overview is just a fraction of the diverse tapestry that constitutes this industry. Additional examples of these enterprises further underscore their indispensable role in advancing research and development, fostering innovation across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.