A major pharmaceutical manufacturing facility with an investment of about 600 crore rupees is set to be established in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and reducing dependence on imports of critical drug intermediates.
The foundation stone for the facility was laid at Village Gadadhar in Kathua by Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the Prime Minister Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.
The project is being developed by Orchid Biopharma with facilitation from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The investment is being made under the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive Scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Jitendra Singh said the investment reflects growing confidence in the industrial and innovation potential of Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that the facility is expected to create around 400 direct jobs and an equal number of indirect employment opportunities for suppliers, logistics providers and allied sectors.
He said Kathua’s expanding industrial infrastructure gives the region strong potential to emerge as a significant pharmaceutical manufacturing hub and contribute to India’s presence on the global pharmaceutical export map.
The upcoming facility will manufacture Amino Cephalosporanic Acid, a critical intermediate used in the production of cephalosporin antibiotics. India currently depends largely on imports of this intermediate from China, creating supply vulnerabilities and pricing challenges.
Jitendra Singh said the new plant will strengthen India’s strategic capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported intermediates. He added that antibiotics remain a cornerstone of modern healthcare and that the pandemic highlighted the risks associated with relying heavily on a single geography for essential medical inputs.
Highlighting the broader policy vision, the minister said the initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India self reliant in critical healthcare technologies and pharmaceutical supply chains.
He also referred to the recently announced Biopharma Shakti initiative with an allocation of 10,000 crore rupees in the Union Budget aimed at strengthening India’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical ecosystem.
Jitendra Singh noted that India is rapidly emerging as an important player in the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, ranking third in biomanufacturing in the Asia Pacific region and thirtieth globally.
He said establishing advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing units in regions such as Kathua would strengthen India’s position as a reliable supplier of essential medicines and expand the country’s pharmaceutical export potential.
The minister emphasised that the project represents a broader development approach focused on capability building, skill development and long term value creation in Jammu and Kashmir.
He added that expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in the region would not only generate employment but also strengthen India’s health security by ensuring reliable access to essential medicines even during global disruptions.
Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary in the Department of Biotechnology, said the country’s bioeconomy plays a crucial role in strengthening scientific and economic capabilities. He noted that science led biomanufacturing initiatives such as the Kathua project demonstrate India’s growing capacity to become a strong global competitor in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, Ram Gopal Agarwal, Chairman of Dhanuka Group, Manish Dhanuka, Managing Director of Orchid Biopharma, and Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Kathua district, were also present at the event.
Orchid Biopharma is among the world’s largest manufacturers of cephalosporin antibiotics and operates in more than 60 countries, serving over 200 global customers through international partnerships.
