2025-10-09

In an exclusive interaction with Pharma Industrial India, Arpit Bhatia, Director of Laborate Pharmaceuticals, discusses the company’s forward-looking strategies to broaden its therapeutic portfolio, strengthen global competitiveness, and embrace digital transformation across its operations. He also sheds light on the vision behind Aqualab, Laborate’s new direct-to-retail (D2R) division.

Here are the key insights from the conversation:

Q. How is Laborate embracing innovation—whether in R&D, digital tools, or manufacturing practices—to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving pharma landscape?

At Laborate, we have always believed that innovation is not a department but a culture. On the R&D front, our teams are exploring advanced formulations, particularly in chronic therapies, where patient compliance is a key challenge. On the manufacturing side, we have invested in EU-GMP-compliant facilities, automation, and digital quality systems that not only raise productivity but also reduce errors. Digitally, we are embracing AI-enabled data monitoring and predictive tools that give us early signals for market demand and supply chain efficiencies. This combination ensures we stay agile and competitive in a landscape that is moving faster than ever.

Q. How do you envision the company’s growth trajectory over the next 5–10 years, both domestically and globally?

Over the next decade, I see Laborate evolving from a strong domestic player into a truly global pharma partner. In India, our focus will remain on widening our therapeutic portfolio and expanding reach across Tier II and Tier III markets where affordability and accessibility are still major gaps. Globally, with EU-GMP certification and other international approvals in the pipeline, we are preparing to enter the regulated markets of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. If I were to put a number, I believe we can double our current scale in the next five years, with exports contributing significantly to our growth.

Q. Are there any strategic partnerships or collaborations that you are currently exploring to strengthen your capabilities?

Absolutely. Partnerships are going to be critical in the new pharma era. We are exploring collaborations with technology companies to deepen our digital transformation, with research institutions to accelerate product innovation, and with global distributors to build stronger supply chains. Our philosophy is simple: if collaboration helps us reach patients faster with safe and effective medicines, we are open to it.

Q. What are your near- and long-term investment priorities, particularly in technology and digital transformation?

In the near term, we are focused on strengthening our digital backbone, implementing advanced ERP systems, digitising quality control and using predictive analytics for demand forecasting. Over the long term, we see digital health and connected care as integral to pharma. Whether it is through patient-centric apps, real-time pharmacovigilance, or AI-driven clinical research, technology will form the bedrock of our growth. Investments in this area are not optional; they are central to our strategy.

Q. The government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has been a major push to strengthen India’s pharma sector. How is Laborate leveraging this opportunity?

The PLI scheme is a timely intervention that aligns with our own expansion roadmap. We are leveraging it to strengthen our manufacturing scale, build capacity in APIs, and invest in new technology platforms. It is also a confidence booster, because it signals to the world that India is serious about becoming a resilient, self-reliant pharma hub. For us, it reduces the risk of large-scale investments and encourages us to think bigger about exports and global competitiveness.

Q. Maintaining international quality standards is key to expanding globally. What systems and processes do you have in place to ensure compliance with global regulatory norms?

Compliance begins at the design stage for us. Our facilities are built to meet EU-GMP standards, and we operate with strict SOPs that are benchmarked globally. Every batch undergoes rigorous in-process checks, stability studies, and validation protocols. We also invest heavily in training our people, because no system is effective without the right culture. In short, we see compliance not as a checklist but as a mindset—it is what allows us to stand shoulder to shoulder with global peers.

Q. Could you walk us through your quality control systems and how they ensure product safety, consistency, and reliability?

Our QC systems are multi-layered. Right from sourcing raw materials, we test for purity and stability using advanced instrumentation. During production, every stage has in-process quality checks, so deviations are caught in real time. Post-production, products undergo stringent batch release protocols and stability testing under varied conditions. What gives me confidence is not just the technology but the culture we empower our quality teams to stop production if they see even the slightest deviation. That kind of discipline ensures reliability.

Q. What therapeutic categories currently drive Laborate’s business, and which new categories are you planning to enter in the near future?

Today, our strongest categories are anti-infectives, pain management, cardiovascular, and gastroenterology. These will remain core because they address widespread healthcare needs. But the future, as I see it, lies in chronic therapies and lifestyle-linked diseases diabetes, respiratory, dermatology, and oncology. We are already making investments in these areas and expect them to form a much larger part of our portfolio over the next five years.

Q. What inspired the launch of Aqualab, your direct-to-retail division, and what are your plans in terms of its expansion, product portfolio, and digital reach?

Aqualab was born out of a simple insight: consumers want trusted, high-quality pharma products directly accessible to them, not just through intermediaries. We saw an opportunity to build that trust with a D2R (direct-to-retail) model that ensures quality and affordability. Going forward, Aqualab will expand into wellness, preventive care, and consumer health, supported by strong digital platforms for distribution and customer engagement. In many ways, Aqualab is our experiment in reimagining how pharma interacts with end consumers.

Q. How do you see the role of Indian pharma companies evolving in the coming years?

I believe Indian pharma will move from being the world’s supplier of affordable generics to being a global innovator. The scale and trust we have built in generics is unmatched, but the next chapter must be about research, new drug delivery systems, and digital-first healthcare. Companies like ours will play a dual role—continue to bridge the affordability gap while also investing in innovation that makes India a knowledge and R&D powerhouse. The world will not just look to India for cost efficiency, but also for scientific leadership.