Biocon: Taking a Crack at the Global Biosimilar Market

India’s first biotechnology company, Biocon, has developed into a fully integrated biotechnology company with an impressive portfolio of small molecule generic drugs as well as new research initiatives. From 2007, Biocon has started paying attention to the new market for biologics and biosimilars. The current global biosimilar market is worth US$3.3 billion with an expected growth rate of 25 per cent. Over a decade of research, strategic collaborations and acquisition of strategic assets have enabled Biocon to become the leading biosimilar manufacturer in India. However, the biosimilar market remains a difficult market globally. The complex manufacturing process of biosimilars makes it harder to manufacture quality biosimilars. The regulatory environments in different countries are a major challenge. Also, various other large global pharmaceutical companies are actively seeking access to this market, thereby increasing competition for all. Biocon has to face all these issues as it goes ahead with an outward-looking plan of expanding its biosimilar and biologics portfolio