India has long been recognised as the pharmacy of the world, dominating the global market. However, a growing number of Indian biotech startups are choosing to commercialise their products in overseas markets before launching them in India.
Sharing her insights with BW Businessworld, Partner Deepa Rai highlighted the factors driving this trend, noting that international markets offer a more predictable commercial environment. Faster regulatory and clinical trial timelines, access to multi-jurisdiction clinical data, global insurance networks, premium pricing opportunities, and India’s relatively small share of global health spending make overseas commercialisation an attractive proposition for biotech companies.
Commenting on the regulatory landscape, Deepa observed that India’s approval process remains slower and more complex than many competing jurisdictions. While regulatory approvals in markets such as the United States are more stringent, they also enjoy significantly greater market acceptability. She further noted that overseas approval processes, though extensive, tend to be more clearly defined and predictable, whereas companies in India often require approvals at both the central and state levels, adding to the overall complexity.
Read the full story here: https://www.businessworld.in/article/indian-biotech-s-global-first-strategy-why-startups-are-launching-overseas-before-india-614327