
Exploring the Growth Potential of the Indian Pharmaceutical Sector
The Indian pharmaceutical sector has demonstrated a robust growth trajectory, with a notable increase in performance over the past year. The sector has benefitted from a new trade agreement with the European Union, which aims to reduce tariffs on key drug exports. This agreement is expected to enhance India's position as a global supplier of
generic medicines
, leading to increased trade volume and job creation within the sector.
In the short term, the sector has shown positive momentum, reflecting a steady rise in investor confidence. The long-term implications of the trade agreement include improved access to European markets and potential technology transfer, which could significantly bolster India's pharmaceutical
innovation
capabilities. Overall, the outlook for the sector remains positive, with analysts projecting substantial upside potential for various companies operating within this space.
Top Companies Analysts Recommend Based on Upside Potential
Company Name
Current Price
Target Price
Upside Potential
Recommendation
Cohance Lifesciences Limited
Rs. 1065.4
Rs. 1400.00
33%
Strong Buy
Piramal Pharma
Rs. 205.74
Rs. 271.00
32%
Strong Buy
Natco Pharma
Rs. 870.1
Rs. 1090.00
28%
Hold
Aurobindo Pharma
Rs. 1182
Rs. 1470.00
23%
Buy
Blue Jet Healthcare
Rs. 794.3
Rs. 943.00
19%
Buy
Zydus Lifesciences
Rs. 906.65
Rs. 1040.00
18%
Hold
Cohance Lifesciences
Cohance Lifesciences Limited
, formerly known as Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited, is a technology-driven contract development and manufacturing organization(CDMO)based in India. The company specializes in providing integrated solutions in custom synthesis, process research and development, and manufacturing. Its
business
units include pharmaceutical CDMO, specialty chemical CDMO, and active pharmaceutical ingredient(API)services.
Analysts have a strong buy recommendation for Cohance Lifesciences, with a target price of Rs. 1400.00, indicating an upside potential of 33%. The company has shown impressive financial performance, with a year-on-year PAT growth of 77.27%, despite a slight decline in sales growth of 21.56%.
Piramal Pharma
Piramal Pharma
Limited is a global pharmaceutical company offering a diverse portfolio of differentiated pharma products across a domestic and global
distribution
network. The company operates approximately 17 development and manufacturing facilities across India, the UK/Europe, and North America.
With a strong buy recommendation from analysts, Piramal Pharma has a target price of Rs. 271.00, reflecting an upside potential of 32%. The latest financial data shows a sales growth of 11.99% year-on-year, although the PAT stands at Rs. 153.5 Cr.
Natco Pharma
Natco Pharma
Limited is an India-based vertically integrated pharmaceutical company focused on research and development. The company specializes in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing complex pharmaceuticals targeting specific therapeutic areas.
Analysts recommend holding Natco Pharma, with a target price of Rs. 1090.00, indicating an upside potential of 28%. The latest financial results reveal a significant year-on-year sales growth of 47.72%, although PAT has decreased by 37.47% compared to the previous year.
Aurobindo Pharma
Aurobindo Pharma
Limited is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of active pharmaceutical ingredients, branded pharmaceuticals, and generic pharmaceuticals. The company has a global presence, marketing its products in approximately 150 countries.
With a buy recommendation from analysts, Aurobindo Pharma has a target price of Rs. 1470.00, reflecting an upside potential of 23%. The company reported a year-on-year sales growth of 16.68%, although PAT has decreased by 9.66% in the latest quarter.
Blue Jet Healthcare
Blue Jet Healthcare
Limited specializes in manufacturing integrated contrast media, artificial sweeteners, and niche pharmaceutical intermediaries. The company operates primarily as a business-to-business entity, serving various industries globally.
Analysts have a buy recommendation for Blue Jet Healthcare, with a target price of Rs. 943.00, indicating an upside potential of 19%. The company has demonstrated remarkable financial growth, with a year-on-year PAT growth of 177.64% and sales growth of 44.74%.
Zydus Lifesciences
Zydus Lifesciences
Limited is a global life sciences company engaged in discovering, developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of healthcare therapies. The company has a diverse product portfolio, including active pharmaceutical ingredients and human formulations.
Analysts recommend holding Zydus Lifesciences, with a target price of Rs. 1040.00, reflecting an upside potential of 18%. The company has reported a year-on-year sales growth of 18.9%, although PAT has decreased by 5.79% in the latest quarter.
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The industry functions on thin margins and employs a huge chunk of the manufacturing workforce in the country. According to Crisil, last fiscal, the US accounted for about 20% of India's merchandise exports. About 2,000 kilometres away from Bengaluru, in Agra, Legwork, a footwear contract manufacturer, has seen new US orders dry up. Exports make 60% of sales at Legwork. 'Earlier, sales agents were giving us hope that with China+1, we will get lots of orders. Even Chinese manufacturers were enquiring. Now everything has unravelled," said owner Vijay Nainani. Last year, Legwork shipped a massive order of 300,000 shoes for Costco, a retailer in the US. Without sharing names, he said many in the industry have started shipping unfinished shoes to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, and are tying up with manufacturers there to finish up the final product so as to hide the country of origin and escape US tariffs on India. 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The US has imposed a 10% tariff on Oman and 20% on Vietnam. 'We have manufacturing presence in countries beyond India. We are exploring producing more from these locations. It is a thought in the back of our mind," said Swapneel Nagarkar, executive vice president and business head at Godrej Interio. The 'India+1' plan Alexandra Hermann, an economist with Oxford Economics, is concerned about the impact on India's attractiveness as a manufacturing hub if 50% tariffs were to continue. 'India's appeal as a production and investment alternative to China is shrinking as compared to the already-bigger manufacturing hubs in the rest of Asia, and, in fact, we hear that Indian and global manufacturers are starting to think about 'India+1' strategies now," she said. 'India + 1' means that companies primarily serving the US market will start thinking about moving out of India. India's labour-intensive manufacturing exports have already struggled to compete on the world stage. 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