HRV Global Life Sciences (HRV Pharma), India’s first integrated virtual API and pharmtech company, has entered into a multi-year CDMO partnership with MetroChem API, a leading player in API development and manufacturing. The collaboration is described as a first-of-its-kind model, centered on exclusive and semi-exclusive development, scale-up, and GMP manufacturing of high-value NCE-1 and late-stage complex APIs for regulated and semi-regulated markets.

The partnership combines HRV Pharma’s global market access in over 50 countries and its digital, asset-light API platform with MetroChem’s expertise in process chemistry, scale-up capabilities, and strong GMP infrastructure. Together, the companies will develop and scale multiple strategic APIs, manage end-to-end GMP manufacturing, and support global DMF filings across major markets including the US, EU, LATAM, MENA, and APAC. They will also collaborate on technical dossiers, quality systems, compliance programs, and audit readiness for agencies such as the US FDA, EMA, PMDA, and ANVISA.

HRV Pharma CEO Hari Kiran Chereddi said the partnership strengthens the company’s vision of creating a next-generation virtual API ecosystem that accelerates Indian innovations globally. MetroChem COO Harsha Nandepu highlighted that the alliance aligns with their goal to expand deeper into complex NCE-1 and specialty API development.

The collaboration begins with five initial programs and will expand to additional molecules under a unified development framework. The partnership also supports HRV’s strategy of building an AI-enabled, asset-light pharmaceutical platform and cements MetroChem’s position as a preferred global partner for complex API development.