Introduction
If you have ever searched for the right CDMO partner in India, you understand how overwhelming it can feel to scroll through what appears to be a never-ending list of companies and certifications. The good news is India's pharma ecosytem is filled with capable and experienced CDMOs that range from small niche labs to large-scale manufacturing on par with the largest global pharma companies.
This quick guide will save you hours of searching! We have compiled a list of over 50 qualified Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) across India known for their quality, compliance, and will establish a strong partnership with clients from other countries.
Why India Has So Many Great CDMO Options
India is not in this position by chance, it is by design. Over the last 20 years, the country has invested heavily in R&D infrastructure, trained chemists and engineers, and established a track record of meeting global quality standards. Currently, there are over 600 FDA-approved manufacturing sites in India, the most of any country outside of the U.S. It is no surprise one can find early formulation work all the way to commercial scale-up under one-roof at often very favorable prices compared to the West. (Source: USFDA List of Indian Approved Facilities)
If you’re exploring outsourcing, India isn’t just an option anymore — it’s the default starting point.
List: 50+ Top CDMO Companies in India
Below is a mix of large integrated players and niche specialists. Each of them offers something unique — whether it’s biologics, injectables, small molecules, or formulation development.
Full-Service CDMOs (Discovery to Commercial Scale)
- Piramal Pharma Solutions
- Jubilant Biosys
- Syngene International
- GVK Bio (now Aragen Life Sciences)
- Sai Life Sciences
- Laurus Labs
- Dishman Carbogen Amcis
- Suven Pharmaceuticals
- Biocon Biologics
- Aurobindo Pharma
Formulation Development & Manufacturing Experts
- Granules India
- Dr. Reddy’s Custom Pharma Services
- Hetero Drugs
- Strides Pharma Science
- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Contract Division)
- Natco Pharma
- MSN Laboratories
- Torrent Pharma
- Alembic Pharmaceuticals
- Zydus Lifesciences
API & Intermediate Specialists
- Divi’s Laboratories
- SMS Lifesciences
- Neuland Laboratories
- Vasudha Pharma
- Shilpa Medicare
- Teva API India
- Lupin Limited (API Division)
- Solara Active Pharma Sciences
- Aarti Drugs
- Ipca Laboratories
Biotech, Biologics & Advanced Therapy CDMOs
- Biocon Biologics
- Intas Pharmaceuticals (Biotech Division)
- Serum Institute of India
- Panacea Biotec
- Bharat Biotech
- Stelis Biopharma
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals
- Virchow Biotech
- Biological E. Limited
- Cadila Healthcare Biotech
Specialty & Emerging CDMOs
- VAV Life Sciences
- Anthem Biosciences
- TCG Lifesciences
- Richcore Lifesciences
- Incozen Therapeutics
- Sai Mirra Innopharm
- Lambda Therapeutic Research
- Encube Ethicals
- Gufic Biosciences
- Hikal Limited
- Sequent Scientific
(Tip: For small molecule projects, companies like Sai Life Sciences and Syngene are favorites among Western biotechs. For vaccines or biologics, Biocon and Serum Institute remain top choices.)
How to Choose the Right CDMO Partner in India
Before you engage with anyone, spend a matter of minutes even, determining your requirements. India has enough depth to manage nearly any project, but your needs will indicate what you value.
- Verify track records in regulatory — USFDA, EMA, or MHRA are most prominent (Read: How Indian CDMOs Comply with USFDA, EU-GMP, and WHO-GMP Standards)
- Confirm capacity and turnaround times — Some CDMOs are bottlenecked.
- Determine IP policies — Indian CDMOs work with strong IP protection, but it's still prudent to review agreements carefully.
- Communication Workflow — The best partners respond promptly, and give precise technical updates.
- Ask for case studies or a client reference — Nothing is better than transparency.
Where These CDMOs Are Located
You’ll find CDMO clusters in key regions:
- Hyderabad: APIs, biologics, and large-scale manufacturing.
- Ahmedabad & Vadodara: Long-standing pharma manufacturing base.
- Bengaluru: Discovery, CRO/CDMO hybrids, and biotech startups.
- Pune & Mumbai: Formulation and analytical specialists.
- Visakhapatnam: API clusters, export manufacturing
Each city has strong supply chain support, experienced talent, and easy access to ports — which means smooth logistics for exports.
The Bottom Line
India’s CDMO landscape is wide, capable, and surprisingly easy to navigate once you know where to look. Whether you’re a small biotech seeking formulation support or a global pharma scaling commercial supply, you’ll find an Indian partner ready to collaborate — often faster and more flexibly than you’d expect. To know about sourcing apis from India, read How to Source GMP-Certified APIs from India in 2025 – Compliance & Supplier Guide
