Snapshot

• Why Indore–Pithampur is iconic:
  The Indore–Pithampur corridor in Madhya Pradesh is one of India’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing zones, with a strong presence in finished formulations, APIs, contract manufacturing (CMO/CDMO), and export-driven SEZ operations.
  Anchored by Sun Pharma, Lupin, Cipla, IPCA, and Mylan (Viatris), Pithampur has become a center of excellence for global regulatory-compliant drug manufacturing, supported by industrial estates developed by Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC).
  This region’s central location provides seamless pan-India logistics and connectivity to ports, reducing supply chain costs for both domestic and export markets.
  
• Global Positioning:
  Indore–Pithampur is a trusted global supplier of formulations and APIs to regulated markets (US, EU, Japan) and emerging economies, making Madhya Pradesh a pharma manufacturing powerhouse.
  

Product & Service Range

Segment	Key Offerings
Formulations	Tablets, capsules, injectables, ointments, syrups
APIs & Bulk Drugs	Generic APIs, intermediates, key starting materials
Oncology & Specialty Drugs	High-potency oncology injectables, biosimilars
Contract Manufacturing (CMO/CDMO)	Outsourced manufacturing for global brands
Veterinary Medicines	Animal health formulations and bulk drugs
Nutraceuticals & OTC	Vitamins, supplements, herbal formulations

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
Integrated SEZ & Industrial Estate	Pithampur SEZ is India’s first pharma-focused Special Economic Zone
Global-Scale Players	Lupin, Sun Pharma, Mylan, Ipca, and others
Central Location Advantage	Easy access to ports (Nhava Sheva, Mundra) and northern/southern markets
Regulatory Excellence	US FDA, EMA, MHRA-approved facilities
Skilled Workforce	Presence of pharma colleges, R&D institutes, and trained manpower

Materials & Sustainability

• Key Materials: APIs, excipients, solvents, sterile packaging
  
• Innovation:
  
  • Fully automated injectable plants with robotics
    
  • Continuous manufacturing and PAT (Process Analytical Technology)
    
  • Integration of QbD (Quality by Design) in product development
    
• Sustainability Initiatives:
  
  • Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) compliant effluent treatment plants
    
  • Green chemistry practices and solvent recovery systems
    
  • Rainwater harvesting and solar energy adoption
    

Cluster Infrastructure

• Industrial Zones:
  
  • Pithampur Industrial Estate: 5,000+ acres with pharma, auto, and engineering units
    
  • Pithampur SEZ (Sector III): 128-hectare pharma-specific export hub
    
  • Indore Pharma Parks: GMP-compliant industrial parks for SMEs
    
• Institutions:
  
  • Pharmexcil (Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council)
    
  • R&D support from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Indore), NIPER Bhopal
    
  • Indore Pharma Cluster Association for SME networking
    
• Connectivity:
  
  • 25 km from Indore city, Indore Airport (cargo terminal)
    
  • Rail and road access to Mumbai/JNPT and Mundra ports
    

Compliance & Certifications

Certification	Details
US FDA, EMA, MHRA	Plants certified for regulated market supply
WHO GMP	World Health Organization GMP compliance
ISO 9001/14001/45001	Quality, environment, and safety standards
DSCSA Serialization	Track-and-trace for US and EU supply chains
ICH Q7/Q10	ICH guidelines for APIs and formulations manufacturing

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	R&D to Scale-Up	Commercial Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Formulations (Tablets, Capsules)	6–9 months	Continuous	500,000–1M units
Injectables	9–12 months	Continuous	Project-based
APIs & Bulk Drugs	6–12 months	Continuous	1–5 MT
CDMO Services	3–6 months	Contract-driven	Project-based

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: Serialization (GS1/DSCSA) for global traceability, QR-coded packaging
  
• Packaging: Blister packs, vials, strip packs, cartons, cold-chain systems for injectables
  
• Marketing Narrative:
  “Indore–Pithampur: Central India’s pharma manufacturing powerhouse, driving exports, innovation, and sustainable formulations through a globally certified SEZ ecosystem.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Raw Material QC: Supplier qualification, impurity profiling, heavy metal checks
  
• In-Process QC: Automated weight checks, dissolution, and friability testing
  
• Finished Goods QC: Stability studies, microbial load tests, batch release
  
• Export QC: Serialization audits, ICH-compliant documentation, regulatory inspections
  

Price Drivers

• Regulatory filing and certification costs for US/EU markets
  
• Raw material sourcing (APIs from Gujarat/AP, excipients from global vendors)
  
• Automation and robotics investments in manufacturing
  
• Packaging complexity (cold-chain injectables, oncology drugs)
  
• Logistics cost optimization due to central location
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• India’s First Pharma SEZ: Streamlined export-oriented operations
  
• Global Regulatory Approvals: Facilities cleared by US FDA, EMA, and MHRA
  
• Integrated Supply Chain: APIs and formulations co-located in one hub
  
• Talent & R&D Ecosystem: Supported by IIT, NIPER, and pharma skill centers
  

Strategic Advantage: Central location cuts logistics costs for domestic and export markets