India's pharmaceutical industry is stepping into 2026, marking the beginning of a critical five-year period to build the required ecosystem to establish itself as an innovation hub in its bid to become a USD 500 billion sector by 2047, amid near-term challenges of tariff fluctuations and global trade realignments. The predominantly generic medicines-driven domestic drug industry, which has grown from USD 3 billion to USD 60 billion in size over the past 25 years, is shifting towards innovation in next-generation drugs. At the same time, it will also seek to capitalise on the opportunity to capture drugs worth over USD 300 billion that are set to lose exclusivity over the next seven years. "Today, Indian pharma stands at a defining moment and the next 25 years will be shaped by innovation, quality, and access," Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance Secretary General Sudarshan Jain said. The innovation agenda has gained notable momentum among the domestic players, he noted. "From 2026 onwa