Even though the Indian government has attempted throughout the past decade to boost the country’s presence in biopharma, it must adopt a strategy to increase that presence, according to the Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) recent report, “Life Sciences R&D: Changing the Innovation Equation in India.” The report collected data from interviews and a survey sent to 40 people associated with biopharma R&D activities in the US, Europe and Asia. Seventy percent of respondents said they are content with their R&D partnerships in India, and 75% plan to increase R&D activities there. India’s share of global R&D spending jumped tenfold from 2002 to 2009 to 1%; however, R&D conducted in the country has not grown as much as had been predicted. In 2010, the R&D performed in India totaled $0.9 billion, less than half of its goal. To strengthen the country’s biopharma presence, the BCG recommends that global biopharma companies create a strategy that outlines expectations for Indian partners; increases the scope of R&D activities; provides products to niche markets; and supports Indian academia.

Source: BCG