**Executive Summary**
Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for a Rs 600-700 crore pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir, on March 14, 2026. This facility, a collaboration between Orchid Pharma and the Department of Biotechnology, aims to produce critical antibiotic intermediates and strengthen India's self-reliance in pharmaceutical supply chains. The project is expected to boost employment and position Kathua as a pharmaceutical export hub.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Commencement:**
* Foundation stone laid for a Multi National Company pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Kathua district.
* The event was officiated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh.
* The date of the event was March 14, 2026.
* **Facility Details:**
* The project involves an investment of approximately Rs 600 to 700 crore.
* It is being set up by Orchid Pharma with facilitation from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
* The facility will manufacture the critical antibiotic intermediate Amino Cephalosporanic Acid (ACA).
* **Objectives and Expected Outcomes:**
* To push Jammu & Kashmir onto India's pharmaceutical export map.
* To foster industrial expansion and create new opportunities in the region.
* To generate direct employment for approximately 400 people and an equal number of indirect employment opportunities.
* To reduce India's dependence on imports for critical pharmaceutical intermediates, specifically ACA from China.
* To strengthen India's strategic capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing and enhance health security.
* To build strategic capability in a critical sector, moving up the pharmaceutical value chain.
* To support the broader policy vision of making India self-reliant in critical healthcare technologies and supply chains.
* **Broader Context:**
* The project is supported under the Government of India's Production Linked Incentive Scheme.
* It aligns with the newly announced ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti initiative.
* India is emerging as a significant player in the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, ranking third in biomanufacturing in Asia-Pacific and 30th globally.
* **Key Stakeholders Present:**
* Dr. Jitendra Singh (Union Minister of State).
* Dr. Rajesh Gokhale (Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology).
* Dr. Jitendra Kumar (Managing Director, BIRAC).
* Sh. Ram Gopal Agarwal (Chairman, Dhanuka Group).
* Sh. Manish Dhanuka (Managing Director, Orchid Biopharma).
* Sh. Rajesh Sharma (Deputy Commissioner, Kathua).
* **Company Information:**
* Orchid Bio Pharma is developing the facility in Kathua.
* Orchid Bio Pharma is among the world's largest manufacturers of cephalosporin antibiotics.
* The company operates in over 60 countries and serves over 200 global customers.
**Impact Analysis**
**Key Stakeholders:**
**1. Jammu & Kashmir Region (Kathua)**
* **Impact:**
* Expected to emerge as a significant pharmaceutical manufacturing hub.
* Will benefit from industrial expansion and new economic opportunities.
* Will see increased employment opportunities, both direct and indirect.
* Will be integrated into the national growth story through knowledge-driven industries.
* **Action Required:**
* No specific action is mentioned for the region itself, but the document implies a supportive environment for growth.
**2. India's Pharmaceutical Sector**
* **Impact:**
* Strengthened strategic capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
* Reduced dependence on imports for critical intermediates like ACA.
* Enhanced supply chain security and stability for essential medicines.
* Improved national health security by ensuring availability and affordability of essential medicines.
* Reinforced role as a reliable global supplier of essential medicines.
* **Action Required:**
* No specific action is mentioned for the sector as a whole, but the project contributes to the sector's strategic goals.
**3. Orchid Pharma**
* **Impact:**
* Establishment of a major advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
* Expansion of manufacturing capabilities for critical antibiotic intermediates.
* Contribution to their role as a global supplier of cephalosporin antibiotics.
* **Action Required:**
* To proceed with the development and operationalization of the manufacturing facility in Kathua.
**4. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) / Department of Biotechnology**
* **Impact:**
* Facilitation of a significant project aligned with national biotechnology and biopharmaceutical goals.
* Strengthening of the bioeconomy and science-led biomanufacturing initiatives.
* **Action Required:**
* To continue providing facilitation and support as outlined in the project.
**5. Consumers of Antibiotics and Healthcare Providers**
* **Impact:**
* Improved availability and affordability of essential antibiotics.
* Increased supply security, especially during global disruptions.
* Reduced vulnerability in healthcare access due to import dependence.
* **Action Required:**
* No specific action is required from consumers or healthcare providers as a direct result of this document.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space. He is a key individual involved in the policy's implementation.
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): An organization facilitating the establishment of the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. It's a key entity in the program's execution.
Production Linked Incentive Scheme: A government scheme under which the investment for the facility is being made, indicating a significant policy driver.
Department of Biotechnology: The governmental department under which BIRAC operates, highlighting its role in the policy's scope.
Orchid Pharma: The company setting up the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, indicating the direct impact of the policy on this entity.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Dr Jitendra Singh lays foundation of Rs 600 crore
Multi National Company pharma manufacturing
facility in J&K's Kathua town
With its growing industrial infrastructure, Kathua has potential
to push J&K on India’s pharma export map: Dr Jitendra Singh
J&K becoming torch bearer of India’s growth story with
infrastructure expansion, and new opportunities: Dr Jitendra
Singh
Posted On: 14 MAR 2026 5:56PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today laid the
foundation stone of a major Multi National Company pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at Village
Gadadhar in district Kathua.
The project, with investment of over Rs 600 to 700 cr, is being set up by Orchid Pharma with facilitation
from Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of
Biotechnology, Government of India,
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the investment of around 600 crore rupees, being made
under the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive Scheme, reflects growing confidence in the
industrial and innovation potential of the Jammu & Kashmir region. He said the facility is expected to
generate direct employment for nearly 400 people, while creating an equal number of indirect employment
opportunities for suppliers, logistics providers and other allied sectors.
The Minister highlighted that with its growing industrial infrastructure Kathua has the potential to emerge
as a significant pharmaceutical manufacturing hub on India’s pharma export map.
Dr. Jitendra Singh described the project as a major breakthrough for the pharmaceutical sector in the
region, noting that the facility will manufacture the critical antibiotic intermediate Amino Cephalosporanic
Acid (ACA), a key component in the production of cephalosporin antibiotics. At present, India depends
almost entirely on imports of this intermediate from China, which creates vulnerabilities in supply
security, pricing stability and healthcare access.
The Minister said,the Kathua facility would significantly strengthen India’s strategic capabilities in
pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce import dependence on critical intermediates. “Antibiotics are
foundational to modern healthcare, and the pandemic showed how dependence on a single geography for
essential inputs can quickly become a national vulnerability".Highlighting the broader policy vision, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the initiative reflects the vision of the
Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi to make India self-reliant in critical healthcare technologies and
pharmaceutical supply chains. He also referred to the newly announced ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti
initiative in the Union Budget aimed at strengthening India’s biotechnology and biopharmaceutical
ecosystem.
The Minister noted that India is rapidly emerging as a major player in the global biotechnology and
pharmaceutical sector, currently ranking third in biomanufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region and 30th
globally. “The establishment of such advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing units has the potential to
place Kathua on India’s pharmaceutical export map,” he said.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the Kathua project reflects India’s intent to move up the
pharmaceutical value chain thereby reinforcing the country’s role as a reliable global supplier of essential
medicines, particularly for countries that depend on India during health emergencies.
He added that establishing advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in Jammu & Kashmir signals a new
development approach focused on capability building, skill development and long-term value creation.
“This is not merely about reducing imports; it is about building strategic capability where it matters most,”
he said, adding that such projects integrate regions like Jammu & Kashmir into the national growth story
through knowledge-driven industries.
The Minister said projects like this not only expand India’s pharmaceutical capacity but also strengthen
the country’s health security by ensuring the availability and affordability of essential medicines even
during global disruptions.
Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale said that the bioeconomy is crucial for
strengthening the country’s scientific and economic capabilities, adding that science-led biomanufacturing
initiatives such as emerging efforts in Kathua demonstrate how India is building the capacity to become a
strong global competitor in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
Managing Director, BIRAC, Dr. Jitendra Kumar; Chairman, Dhanuka Group, Sh. Ram Gopal Agarwal;
Managing Director, Orchid Biopharma, Sh. Manish Dhanuka; and Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Sh.
Rajesh Sharma, were also present on the occasion.
Pertinent to mention that the facility in Kathua is being developed by Orchid Bio Pharma. The company is
among the world’s largest manufacturers of cephalosporin antibiotics and operates in more than 60
countries, serving over 200 global customers through international partnerships.PHOTO: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh laying the Foundation Stone of Rs 600 crore
Antibiotic related 7ACA Plant of Orchid Bio-Pharma at , Kathua on Saturday.
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