Solid-State Pharmaceutics Research in India: Present and Future

The pharmaceutical industry not only plays a crucial role in the healthcare system but also contributes significantly to the economy of a country. It is interesting to note that in 2024, a Danish pharmaceutical company held the title of Europe's most valuable company. Novo Nordisk, riding on popularity of a weight-loss drug, had a valuation of $600 billion in 2024, outweighing the GDP of Denmark Nat Med 2024, 30, 2049. Indian companies have achieved global recognition in generics, thus earning India the title of the "pharmacy of the world". This position was further strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic when India supported the global needs with its high-capacity manufacturing and efficient supply chain management. However, despite these awards, the total valuation of the Indian pharmaceutical market, including its export values, is less than $100 billion. This highlights the focus of Indian pharmaceutical companies on generics, which generally generates less revenue with high volumes Journal of Positive School Psychology 2022, 9285. In contrast, innovative products can generate a high revenue and accelerate economic growth. Innovative companies spend a good amount of their funds on research and development. It is well-recognized that a synergy between academic research institutions and pharmaceutical companies supports innovative outcomes Res. Policy 1991, 20, 1-12. In this perspective, we discuss the prominent areas of pharmaceutical research in Indian academia and also analyze the status of solid-state pharmaceutics (SSP) and pharmaceutical crystal engineering research. The article discusses the evolution of research in SSP, its status, and future prospects. Authors emphasize the need for improvement of the research ecosystem for SSP, thus ensuring availability of optimal human resources for this critical component of the pharmaceutical industry. There is a need to create a "solid-state pharmaceutics research cluster" in India to accelerate the research and support the growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry.