Kathua having potential to bring J&K on India’s pharma export map: Dr Jitendra

Jammu, Mar 14: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on Saturday stated that with its growing industrial infrastructure, Kathua had the potential to emerge as a significant pharmaceutical manufacturing hub on India’s pharma export map.

He was addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of a major Multi-National Company (MNC) pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at village Gadadhar in district Kathua.

The project, with investment of over Rs 600 to 700 Cr, is being set up by Orchid Pharma with facilitation from Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra, who is also the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences besides being MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, said the investment of around Rs 600 Cr, being made under the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive Scheme, reflected growing confidence in the industrial and innovation potential of the Jammu and Kashmir region.

He said the facility was expected to generate direct employment for nearly 400 people, while creating an equal number of indirect employment opportunities for suppliers, logistics providers and other allied sectors.

Dr Jitendra described the project as a major breakthrough for the pharmaceutical sector in the region, noting that the facility will manufacture the critical antibiotic intermediate Amino Cephalosporanic Acid (ACA), a key component in the production of cephalosporin antibiotics.

“At present, India depends almost entirely on imports of this intermediate from China, which creates vulnerabilities in supply security, pricing stability and healthcare access. The Kathua facility will significantly strengthen India’s strategic capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce import dependence on critical intermediates. Antibiotics are foundational to modern healthcare, and the pandemic showed how dependence on a single geography for essential inputs can quickly become a national vulnerability,” he said.

Highlighting the broader policy vision, Dr Jitendra Singh said the initiative reflected the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India self-reliant in critical healthcare technologies and pharmaceutical supply chains.

He also referred to the newly announced Rs 10,000 Cr Biopharma Shakti initiative in the Union Budget aimed at strengthening India’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical ecosystem.

The Minister noted that India was rapidly emerging as a major player in the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, currently ranking third in biomanufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region and 30th globally.

“The establishment of such advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing units has the potential to place Kathua on India’s pharmaceutical export map,” he said.

Dr Jitendra emphasised that the Kathua project reflected India’s intent to move up the pharmaceutical value chain thereby reinforcing the country’s role as a reliable global supplier of essential medicines, particularly for countries that depend on India during health emergencies.

He added that establishing advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in Jammu and Kashmir signalled a new development approach focused on capability building, skill development and long-term value creation.

“This is not merely about reducing imports; it is about building strategic capability where it matters most,” he said, adding that such projects integrated regions like Jammu and Kashmir into the national growth story through knowledge-driven industries.

The Minister said projects like this not only expanded India’s pharmaceutical capacity but also strengthened the country’s health security by ensuring the availability and affordability of essential medicines even during global disruptions.

Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale said that the bioeconomy was crucial for strengthening the country’s scientific and economic capabilities, adding that science-led biomanufacturing initiatives such as emerging efforts in Kathua demonstrate how India was building the capacity to become a strong global competitor in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.

Managing Director, BIRAC, Dr Jitendra Kumar; chairman, Dhanuka Group, Ram Gopal Agarwal; Managing Director, Orchid Biopharma, Manish Dhanuka and Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, were also present on the occasion.

Pertinent to mention that the facility in Kathua is being developed by Orchid Bio Pharma. The company 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.