India Lifesciences Market - 2025-2033

The India Lifesciences market reached US$ 662.26 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 2,790.45 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 17.0% during the forecast period 2025-2033.

Life sciences is a broad field of scientific study that focuses on exploring and understanding living organisms, including humans, animals, plants, microorganisms and their biological processes. The field aims to uncover the mechanisms and principles that govern life, from the molecular and cellular levels to complex ecosystems. It involves disciplines that study the structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution and classification of living things and their interaction with the environment.

The pharmaceutical industry is often considered a Life Science industry with its focus on the development, creation and distribution of medications to aid the health of living things. Biotechnology or biotech is a subset of each of these. The growing biotech industry focuses on a few major areas including medical/healthcare, agricultural or food production and the environment through which living organisms are used or manipulated to create a useable product.

The life sciences sector in India is vast and encompasses a range of industries including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, contract research organizations (CROs) and healthcare services. India is one of the world's largest and most important players in this sector, contributing significantly to global healthcare. For instance, in June 2024, Schneider Electric launched EcoStruxure for the Life Sciences Segment. This cutting-edge software technology aims to accelerate the efficiency and decarbonization of the pharmaceutical sector by facilitating the transition to Pharma 4.0.

Market Dynamics: Drivers, Restraints & Future Trends

Growing population and rising disease burden

The growing population and rising disease burden are significantly driving the growth of the India Lifesciences market and are expected to drive the market over the forecast period. India, with a population of over 1.4 billion, continues to grow rapidly. As the population increases, so does the demand for healthcare services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. A larger population naturally requires more healthcare infrastructure, medication and diagnostic services, boosting the overall life sciences market.

India faces an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders and cancer. Urbanization, sedentary lifestyles and dietary changes have significantly contributed to the rise of these conditions. NCDs now account for more deaths in India, driving the need for innovative treatments, preventive healthcare and diagnostic tools.

For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2023, in India, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 64% of all deaths, adversely affecting not only people’s health but also the financial stability of households due to increased out-of-pocket expenses for treatment and care. This further boosts the life sciences market in India.

The growing burden of chronic diseases has led to increased demand for pharmaceuticals, including treatments for hypertension, diabetes, cancer and respiratory conditions. Indian pharmaceutical companies are developing and marketing cost-effective generic medicines to meet this demand, both domestically and internationally.

With the increased prevalence of complex diseases such as autoimmune disorders and cancer, there is a growing need for biopharmaceuticals like monoclonal antibodies, biosimilars and vaccines. Indian companies are investing heavily in R&D and manufacturing capabilities to meet the rising demand for these advanced therapies.

For instance, in June 2024, InduPro, Inc. announced an $85 million Series A financing co-led by The Column Group and Vida Ventures with participation from investors, including MRL Ventures Fund (the therapeutics-focused venture fund of Merck & Co, Inc.), Emerson Collective and Euclidean Capital. The financing will support the advancement of the first expected clinical product candidate targeting cancer tissue based on the proximity of co-targeted pairs, from preclinical development to an expected IND filing in Q4 2025 for a Phase 1 clinical trial.

Regulatory challenges and complex approval processes

Regulatory challenges and complex approval processes are expected to hamper the growth of the India life sciences market, particularly in the areas of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and clinical research. These hurdles create delays, increase costs and limit the ability of companies to bring new products to market efficiently.

The pharmaceutical sector in India is governed by a robust regulatory framework, primarily overseen by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Additionally, manufacturers aiming to serve international markets must comply with global standards such as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

While these regulations are critical for ensuring the quality and safety of medicines, they present challenges, especially for companies striving to innovate while maintaining compliance. Frequent updates to both domestic and international guidelines require ongoing adjustments to processes and documentation, which can be resource-intensive.

The approval process for new drugs, biosimilars and medical devices in India is often lengthy and complex. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) oversee these approvals, but the process can involve multiple rounds of evaluation, clinical trials and extensive paperwork, often leading to delays in product launch.

The regulation of medical devices in India has undergone significant changes in recent years. Earlier, medical devices were regulated as drugs, but with the implementation of the Medical Device Rules, 2017, a separate regulatory framework was established. However, this transition has created uncertainty for manufacturers, as the rules are still evolving and interpretation by regulators can vary.

Future trends and outcomes in critical therapeutic areas

Segment Analysis

The India Lifesciences market is segmented based on industry type.

Industry Type:

The healthcare segment is expected to dominate the India Lifesciences market share

The healthcare industry in India is rapidly growing due to increased public and private spending. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is working to improve immunization coverage and health systems, considering socio-cultural practices and beliefs in child immunization among tribal communities. The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is a cost-effective public health intervention targeting 26.7 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women annually to reduce vaccine preventable under-5 mortality rates.

The growing incidence of lifestyle diseases, rising demand for affordable healthcare delivery systems, technological advancements, telemedicine, rapid health insurance penetration and government initiatives like e-health, along with tax benefits and incentives, are driving the healthcare segment in India.

The Indian Government has been implementing major reforms to strengthen the healthcare sector, with the flagship initiative, Ayushman Bharat, aiming to strengthen the health system from primary to tertiary care. The initiative focuses on building the next generation primary healthcare system through a network of Health Workers (HWCs) to promote good health and detect diseases early, particularly in response to India's rising non-communicable disease burden. As of February 23, 2021, 60,520 HWCs were operational in India.

Competitive Landscape

The major players in the India Lifesciences market include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Eppendorf AG, Illumina, Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Danaher Corporation, TAKARA BIO, QIAGEN NV, EUROFINS and among others.

Why Purchase the Report?
• Pipeline & Innovations: Reviews ongoing clinical trials, product pipelines, and forecasts upcoming advancements in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
• Product Performance & Market Positioning: Analyzes product performance, market positioning, and growth potential to optimize strategies.
• Real-World Evidence: Integrates patient feedback and data into product development for improved outcomes.
• Physician Preferences & Health System Impact: Examines healthcare provider behaviors and the impact of health system mergers on adoption strategies.
• Market Updates & Industry Changes: Covers recent regulatory changes, new policies, and emerging technologies.
• Competitive Strategies: Analyzes competitor strategies, market share, and emerging players.
• Pricing & Market Access: Reviews pricing models, reimbursement trends, and market access strategies.
• Market Entry & Expansion: Identifies optimal strategies for entering new markets and partnerships.
• Regional Growth & Investment: Highlights high-growth regions and investment opportunities.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Assesses supply chain risks and distribution strategies for efficient product delivery.
• Sustainability & Regulatory Impact: Focuses on eco-friendly practices and evolving regulations in healthcare.
• Post-market Surveillance: Uses post-market data to enhance product safety and access.
• Pharmacoeconomics & Value-Based Pricing: Analyzes the shift to value-based pricing and data-driven decision-making in R&D.

The India Lifesciences market report delivers a detailed analysis with 42 key tables, more than 37 visually impactful figures, and 149 pages of expert insights, providing a complete view of the market landscape.

Target Audience 2024
• Manufacturers: Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Biotech Companies, Contract Manufacturers, Distributors, Hospitals.
• Regulatory & Policy: Compliance Officers, Government, Health Economists, Market Access Specialists.
• Technology & Innovation: AI/Robotics Providers, R&D Professionals, Clinical Trial Managers, Pharmacovigilance Experts.
• Investors: Healthcare Investors, Venture Fund Investors, Pharma Marketing & Sales.
• Consulting & Advisory: Healthcare Consultants, Industry Associations, Analysts.
• Supply Chain: Distribution and Supply Chain Managers.
• Consumers & Advocacy: Patients, Advocacy Groups, Insurance Companies.
• Academic & Research: Academic Institutions.