India should avoid copying any single global biopharma template and instead build an agile, experimentation-driven innovation model suited to its own strengths, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said at India Pharma 2026.

Responding to whether India should emulate the US or China biopharma models, Dr Bahl stressed the need for flexibility and context-specific pathways. “We cannot follow any set model. Rather experiment and try various pathways. We have to be agile.”

His remarks came amid broader discussions at the conference about India’s next phase of biopharma innovation, translational research, and regulatory agility, as the sector looks to move beyond its long-standing generics-led growth narrative.

Dr Bahl highlighted that the government is actively deepening its push in the biopharma space through initiatives such as Biopharma Shakti, alongside support mechanisms under ANRF and RDI funding pathways.

He noted that public research funding has increased three-fold from Rs 900 crore to Rs 3,000 crore, signalling a stronger national commitment to discovery science, translational capabilities, and product development.

According to Dr Bahl, active policy discussions are underway regarding process improvements, translational infrastructure, and stronger industry-academia collaboration, with tangible outcomes expected in the near term.

He also pushed back against the view that India’s innovation future depends primarily on bringing back overseas talent, arguing that the country already possesses deep scientific strength within its domestic ecosystem.

Pointing to ISRO as an example of indigenous excellence, he suggested that India must focus equally on recognising and empowering homegrown scientific talent.