Resurrecting Brand AP

Visakhapatnam and Nellore to play pivotal roles in rebuilding Andhra Pradesh's reputation as a leading pharma hub.

- Prathiba Raju

Andhra Pradesh, gearing to enter a new orbit of growth, is set to revive its IT and pharma sectors which took a hit post bifurcation. A major chunk of the pharma industry’s base remained in Hyderabad and its surrounding districts of Ranga Reddy, Mahabubnagar, Medak and Nalgonda which became a part of Telangana.

The state has plans to become to regain its position as a major pharma hub and is beckoning investors Now, the Andhra Pradesh government is contemplating to set up two big pharma clusters, one in Visakhapatnam and the second one in Nellore district of the state. These upcoming new clusters are expected to be crucial connecting points for the East and Far Eastern countries. Located in the middle of coastal Andhra with well-developed infrastructure, an international airport and good rail connectivity, among other advantages, Visakhapatnam is well positioned to take on a pivotal role in further progress in the pharma sector. Lured by the incentives offered by Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Chandra Babu Naidu, multinationals such as Mylan, Eisai, Johnson & Johnson, Hospira have set to make significants investments in the state. Major domestic players such as Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Aurobindo Pharma, Hetero Drugs, Divis Laboratories, SMS Pharmaceuticals, Cipla, Ranbaxy, Laurus Labs, Lee Pharma, Sionc Pharma, Pharmazell, Raks Pharma, Natco, Granules, Neuland Laboratories have also made inroads in the state.

Thus, the industry too is keen to leverage the opportunities being offered by Andhra Pradesh.

Teeming with opportunities

The US-India Business Council, during a meeting with the Chief Minister, had discussed investment plans worth around $5 billion by Mylan, which has four facilities in Visakhapatnam.