CPhI-P-MEC India expo 2017 catapults the pharma sector to new heights

by Najuka G

UBM India celebrates the industry with a dazzling array of comprehensive, path-breaking events under the India Pharma Week umbrella

     -          South Asia’s largest pharma event at a glance:

-          1550+ exhibitors

-          An increase of 20 per cent in the number of attendees over last year

-           40 countries represented

-          4 days of exhibitions in 2 different venues

-          Over 10 events across different parts of Mumbai in the 2^nd India Pharma Week

-          Innovation Gallery, Supplier-Finder, Exhibitor Showcase, on-site entertainment: features that kept attendees engaged

-          Vital thought leadership garnered from events such as Pre-Connect, Women in Pharma, and CEO Roundtable. Based on the recommendations of industry leaders, a White Paper Report is being prepared to be presented to key policy makers and visionaries.

-          The 5^th edition of the India Pharma Awards received more than 270 nominations from over 145 companies this year, revealing a growth of over 35 percent

Mumbai, December, 2017:  UBM India, India's leading B2B exhibition organizer, enthralled the pharma industry and brought it to a standstill with the grand 11th edition of its signature event, CPhI & P-MEC India 2017, that was held at two venues in Mumbai - MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex (27^th to 29^th November) and Bombay Exhibition Centre (28th to 30^th November). A record breaking number of exhibitors and visitors, the expo, along with the 2^nd India Pharma Week, of which it is a vital part, proved to be a stunning success with an expanded exhibition platform, enhanced bespoke programmes catering to different segments of the domain, much needed networking opportunities, and key industry analysis.

Th CphI &P-MEC India expo got off to a flying start  with an inauguration that occurred first at MMRDA Grounds, Bandra Kurla Complex in the presence of an august gathering of industry leaders including Shri. Satish Wagh, Chairman, Chemexcil; Mr. Jime Essink, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Asia Ltd; Mr. Aasif Khan, Director, Fabtech Technologies; Mr. Rajendra Khimsaria, Director, Khimsaria Associates; Mr. Khaja Nizamuddin, Director, Pharmapack Packaging  Equipment; Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India; and Mr. Rahul Deshpande, Group Director, UBM India, along with other key dignitaries on November 27. The expo was also inaugurated at the Bombay Exhibition Centre on November 28.  

Originating from CPhI Worldwide, the CPhI & P-MEC India was first introduced in 2006. Today, it has become South Asia's leading pharma meeting place, covering every step of the supply chain, from drug discovery to finished dosage. CPhI is an industry platform encompassing CROs, CMOs and manufacturers of API, Generics, Excipients and Drug formulation, Fine chemicals, Biosimilars, Finished Formulations, Lab chemicals and Biotechnology. P-MEC, on the other hand, includes manufacturers of Pharma Machinery and Equipment, Analytical Equipment, Automation & Robotics, Packaging Equipment & Supplies, Plant/Facility Equipment, Automation & Controls, Processing Equipment, RFID, Tableting / Capsule fillers, Clean room equipment, Filling equipment and Laboratory products.

 The show has grown exponentially over the years to become a trusted barometer of the burgeoning Indian pharma story, with domestic & foreign exhibitors and visitors engaging over significant levels of business. This year, the expo comprised exciting facets such as the Supplier-Finder Desk (a digital floor plan that enabled visitors find exhibitors based on services or company names), Innovation Gallery (an arena where participating pharma companies were encouraged to showcase innovations on an international platform) and Exhibitor Showcase (a platform where exhibitors demonstrated how their new product launches are going to be efficacious.)

 The key companies that exhibited at the 2017 edition of the signature show included Aurobindo Pharma Ltd., Granules India Pvt. Ltd., Hetero Labs Limited, Signet Chemical Corporation Pvt. Ltd, DKSH India Pvt. Ltd., Morepen Laboratories Limited, N V Organics Pvt. Ltd. amongst others. On the other hand, some of the leading companies such as West Pharmaceuticals Packaging India Pvt. Ltd., Cadmach Machinery Co. Pvt.  Ltd., Brothers Pharmamach (I) Pvt. Ltd, NPM Machinery Pvt. Ltd., Jekson Vision Pvt. Ltd., ACG Worldwide Solid Dosage Consumables and Machinery, Ace Technologies & Packaging Systems Pvt. Ltd, Fabtech Technologies International Ltd., Jagson Engineers, Bosch Limited, Agilent, Food & Pharma Specialities, amongst others, exhibited at P-MEC.

Alongside the expo, UBM India launched the second edition of the India Pharma Week (IPW), an attractive platter of more than ten trend-setting events, that had debuted last year to celebrate the ten years of CPhI& P-MEC in India. Focusing on the pillars of business, knowledge, leadership, innovation, recognition and networking in the pharma domain, the IPW included a Plant Visit, Pharma Leaders’ Golf, Pre-Connect Congress, Women in Pharma, the India Pharma Awards & Networking Evening, a closed door CEO Round Table, and many more engagements. The IPW has transformed the CPhI & P-MEC exhibition from a wall-bound show to an all-encompassing mecca of new trends, industry deals and insights.

What led to the phenomenal increase in numbers this year in an already well-entrenched show like CphI &P-MEC India along with IPW was the even more comprehensive agenda that was established for each of the trail-blazing events. These were based on the feedback & glowing testimonials received from customers & industry stalwarts from across the globe, as well as key governmental associations, thereby creating ample thought leadership and business to propel the industry to the next level. UBM India was also honoured to have the presence UBM’s global leadership team led by Mr Tim Cobbold, CEO, UBM plc; Ms Marina Wyatt, CFO, UBM plc; Mr Jime Essink, CEO, UBM Asia; and Mr Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia, during the show.

Assessing the impact of the 2^nd edition of the India Pharma Week and the CPhI-P-MEC 2017 expo, Mr Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India said, “The record-breaking attendance at this year’s CphI-P-MEC India expo, along with IPW reveals the vastness of the industry’s overall strength, and the esteemed regard with which our offerings are held globally. Since the inception of the IPW, we have brought in increased & enriched content, and captured more parts of the supply chain to keep pace with the growth in the sector. Besides, we not only provide a vital platform for the industry, we also have the privilege of knowing that these engagements will result in policy initiatives & future innovation to shape the course of the pharma sector. This provides us great impetus to be continually committed to the enhancement of our platforms and initiatives.”

Renowned as the pharmacy of the world, the Indian pharma economy has been lauded for its rapid growth in recent decades. This has cooled down in recent years, but the industry is again growing strongly. With a compounded annual growth of 17.6%; Indian pharma is expected to be worth 55 billion USD by 2020. In line with this, the life science sector in India is also expected to employ close to 3.5 million people by 2022, a 100% increase in under a decade. The Indian pharma industry owes its success to its bold, ambitious approach, history of innovative and an ability to constantly adapt to the dynamic global market.