Mumbai emerges as focal point for India’s quest to reduce API import dependency through landmark trade exhibition
Messe Muenchen India and IDMA to launch PharmaCore India 2026 in Mumbai, targeting pharmaceutical self-reliance through focused exhibition on APIs, KSMs, formulations, and excipients manufacturing capabilities, reports Rashmi Kumari of Neo Science Hub.
In a strategic move that underscores India’s commitment to pharmaceutical self-reliance, Messe Muenchen India has partnered with the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) to launch PharmaCore India 2026, a specialized trade exhibition targeting critical gaps in the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
Scheduled for April 22-24, 2026, at Mumbai’s Jio Convention Centre, the exhibition represents the first dedicated platform in West India exclusively focused on Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Key Starting Materials (KSMs), formulations, and excipients — the fundamental building blocks of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Addressing Strategic Vulnerabilities
The timing of this initiative reflects growing recognition of India’s continued reliance on pharmaceutical imports, particularly from China, which exposed supply chain vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite India’s status as the “pharmacy of the world,” producing generic medicines for global markets, the country remains significantly dependent on imported APIs and intermediates.
“PharmaCore India is a step towards addressing some of the sector’s priorities,” stated Bharat N Shah, National President of IDMA. “By focusing on KSMs, APIs, formulations, and excipients, our aim is to provide members and stakeholders with an opportunity to strengthen supply chains, foster innovation, and exchange knowledge to support industry growth.”
The exhibition’s focus areas align directly with the Indian government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for pharmaceuticals, which has allocated ₹15,000 crores to boost domestic manufacturing capabilities in these critical segments.
Strategic Mumbai Location
The choice of Mumbai as the venue reflects careful strategic planning. The financial capital houses headquarters of major pharmaceutical companies including Lupin, Cipla, and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, while providing proximity to regulatory bodies and international trade infrastructure through the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.
Bhupinder Singh, President IMEA at Messe Muenchen and CEO of Messe Muenchen India, emphasized the city’s advantages: “Mumbai’s concentration of top pharmaceutical companies, advanced infrastructure, and direct links to government and global buyers make it the perfect place for meaningful partnerships and impactful industry engagement.”
Comprehensive Industry Ecosystem
PharmaCore India 2026 will feature several key components designed to create a holistic industry platform:
Investment & Innovation Hub: An Investor-Startup Forum will connect pharmaceutical innovators with funding sources, potentially accelerating development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Co-location Benefits: The exhibition’s alignment with analytica Lab India, South Asia’s largest laboratory and analytical technology fair, creates unique synergies. This co-location will provide attendees access to both pharmaceutical manufacturing and analytical testing communities, essential for quality assurance in drug production.
Global Trade Focus: The platform aims to facilitate international sourcing partnerships and supply chain collaborations, potentially reducing India’s import dependency while expanding export opportunities.
Industry Context and Implications
The pharmaceutical sector represents one of India’s strongest manufacturing capabilities, with the country supplying approximately 20% of global generic medicines by volume. However, the sector’s Achilles’ heel remains its dependence on imported APIs and intermediates, which account for nearly 70% of India’s pharmaceutical raw material requirements.
IDMA, representing over 1,000 pharmaceutical and API manufacturers across India through eight state boards, has consistently advocated for policies supporting domestic manufacturing capabilities. Established in 1961, the association has played a crucial role in policy advocacy and industry development.
The collaboration with Messe Muenchen India brings significant organizational expertise to the initiative. The German company, established in India in 2007, operates as a subsidiary of Messe München GmbH and has successfully organized major industrial exhibitions including bauma CONEXPO INDIA, electronica India, and IFAT India.
Market Opportunities
The timing appears opportune for such an initiative. India’s pharmaceutical market is projected to reach $65 billion by 2024, with APIs and intermediates representing a significant growth segment. Government initiatives, including the PLI scheme and pharmaceutical parks development, have created a conducive environment for domestic manufacturing expansion.
The exhibition’s focus on formulations also addresses India’s growing domestic pharmaceutical consumption, driven by increasing healthcare awareness and expanding insurance coverage through schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
Future Outlook
PharmaCore India 2026 represents more than a trade exhibition; it embodies India’s strategic vision for pharmaceutical independence. As geopolitical tensions highlight supply chain vulnerabilities, events like these become crucial for building resilient, self-reliant manufacturing ecosystems.
The success of this initiative could establish Mumbai as a permanent hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing partnerships, potentially influencing global pharmaceutical supply chain dynamics.
For an industry that has consistently demonstrated its capabilities on the global stage, PharmaCore India 2026 offers a platform to address remaining challenges while building on existing strengths. As India continues its journey toward becoming a comprehensive pharmaceutical powerhouse, initiatives like these will likely play increasingly important roles in shaping the sector’s future trajectory.
The exhibition is expected to attract participation from pharmaceutical manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, technology providers, and investors across India and international markets, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for industry advancement.
