The strategic, operational, and compliance playbook behind India’s growing footprint in regulated cancer drug markets.
India’s pharmaceutical industry has earned its place as the world’s largest supplier of generic medicines, with over 650 manufacturing facilities approved by the US FDA. This number positions India as the global custodian in generics. While this statistic is often cited to highlight scale, a more telling sign of maturity is the rising number of oncology plants built in India, not just to serve domestic markets but to meet the stringent regulatory standards of the US and EU. Among all drug categories, oncology manufacturing demands the most rigorous quality controls, cleanroom architecture, and data integrity systems. Building such a facility isn’t a matter of scaling up what already exists. It’s a fundamental shift in how a company thinks, plans, executes, and sustains compliance.
The difference begins with the product itself. Oncology drugs, especially those based on highly potent APIs, cytotoxics, or monoclonal antibodies, require full containment, sophisticated air-handling systems, and precise zone separation. Even minor lapses in cross-contamination or validation can result in patient harm. Unlike standard oral generics, oncology formulations often involve sterile injectables, lyophilised powders, or targeted biologics. Each step in the process, from material handling to packaging, must be validated against international GMP standards. They must undergo installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and performance qualification (PQ) validation and continuous environmental monitoring. These aren’t mere upgrades to existing facilities. They are entirely new ecosystems built from the ground up.
The journey of getting FDA Approval begins long before a brick is laid. The process begins with site selection. This plays a critical role, especially when waste handling and zoning compliance for hazardous materials are involved. Pharma hubs in Gujarat, Baddi, Telangana, and Maharashtra offer infrastructural advantages, but even here, environmental clearance, utility design, and HVAC zoning take months to finalise.
The regulatory approvals run in parallel. Companies need to secure a state manufacturing license, followed by CDSCO approval and eventually, US FDA registration. In parallel, the design and construction teams work closely with quality and validation teams to establish protocols for cleanroom classification, air change rates, and water-for-injection (WFI) systems. Once construction is complete, validation begins with processes like IQ, OQ and PQ being run across all systems from HVAC to filling lines, and every deviation is documented and closed. This phase alone can stretch over six to nine months. In total, it can take two to three years from planning to inspection.
This integrated effort demands not just technical competence but cultural alignment. Companies that invest early in staff training, data integrity systems, and audit simulations are typically better prepared for FDA scrutiny. Those that delay often face the issuance of Form 483, an inspectional observation report listing any conditions that may violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. These findings range from incomplete batch records to deficiencies in aseptic processing and signal gaps in quality systems. As global inspections ramped up in recent times, foreign FDA drug inspections more than doubled from 130 in FY2021 to 262 in FY2022, where OAI outcomes have steadily declined, reflecting better inspection readiness and improved documentation culture.
The returns, however, justify the effort. Once approved, the facility gives huge access to the US and European markets, where oncology drugs represent one of the fastest-growing therapeutic segments. Mr. Vishwa Savla, the Managing Director and CEO of Pinnacle Life Science, which got US FDA Approval last year, said in this context, “We knew from the beginning that if we got this right, it would change the trajectory of our company. Of course, it’s a high-stakes investment, but the payoff is clear. My team was sure that this would take time, but we knew that we were building our capability for a lifetime once the facility was operational. And it’s needless to emphasise that if you’re serious about oncology, you have to build to FDA standards. There’s no shortcut to that. The oncology pipeline demands long-term thinking, and FDA approval gave us a foothold in markets where both quality and trust are non-negotiable.”
Ultimately, building an FDA‑licensed oncology plant in India demands capital, time, technical rigour, and cultural commitment. But with global oncology spending expected to exceed USD 375 billion by 2027, Indian companies that invest in compliance today are positioning themselves for long-term value not just commercially, but in terms of credibility and global impact.
(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI