Odisha's pharma pitch

The inaugural Odisha Pharma Summit 2025 delivered strong early signals of intent, positioning the state as an upcoming destination for PLI-triggered expansions, to complement existing pharma hubs. As Hemant Sharma, ACS Industry Dept and I&PR Dept, Govt of Odisha puts it, the aim is to “become a good, viable second option.” How fast can the eastern newcomer catch up and become India's next life sciences hub, asks Viveka Roychowdhury

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The recently held Odisha Pharma Summit 2025, the state's first dedicated summit focused on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and life sciences manufacturing, is by all accounts a success. (https://www.expresspharma.in/odisha-pharma-summit-2025-positions-odisha-as-eastern-indias-emerging-life-sciences-hub-odisha-cm/)

The December 16 summit reportedly attracted strong investor response, with a total of 69 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed across pharmaceuticals, medical technologies, and industrial infrastructure. These MoUs represent an investment commitment of Rs 7,043 crore, with an estimated employment generation potential of 44,646 jobs.

Pharmaceuticals bagged the lion's share (32 MoUs with proposed investments of Rs 2,681 crore, generating over 6,528 employment opportunities) followed by Medical Technology & Devices (12 MoUs, Rs 582 crore in committed investments, to create over 1,878 jobs). An MoU was also signed to set up an industrial park, with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore, expected to generate nearly 30,000 jobs.

The Odisha government's pharma foray is part of the government's overall Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, and specifically to boost investment and development of Eastern India under the Purvodaya (look east) policy push.

The state has charted its own policy, Samruddha Odisha 2036, for becoming a developed, future-ready state by 2036, Odisha's centenary year of statehood.

Summing up the intent, Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi while addressing the Odisha Pharma Summit 2025 on December 16, 2025 said, “Odisha will be a leading destination for pharmaceutical and medical-device investments – the most competitive hub for innovation and jobs. Yahi samay hai.”

But will Odisha catch up with more established pharma/medtech hubs in the country? After all, what does the “new kid on the block” offer to attract investments?

PLI plus policy