Stanton Chase India’s Innovation and R&D Leadership Study 2026 surveyed senior leaders across India’s pharma, biotech, medical devices, CRO/CDMO, and healthcare sectors. Of the respondents, 59% name insufficient risk capital and long gestation periods as the leading barrier to converting innovation intent into outcomes. The same share, 59%, plan a moderate-to-significant increase in absolute R&D spend over the next three years. Only 16% believe India will be a top-3 global innovation hub by 2035.
Indian pharma and life sciences companies want to spend more on R&D, but patient capital and science-to-commercial leaders are scarce.
Stanton Chase India surveyed senior leaders across pharma, biotech, medical devices, CRO/CDMO, and healthcare. Most are ready to invest. Some 39% plan a moderate (10–30%) increase in absolute R&D spend over the next three years, and another 20% plan a significant (>30%) increase. Just 4% plan to cut.
What Is Slowing Innovation in Indian Pharma?
Money is the main brake. Overall, 59% cite insufficient risk capital and long gestation periods as the leading barrier to converting innovation intent into outcomes. Regulatory unpredictability follows at 41%. Boards add conditions of their own. Only 22% call board conviction unwavering through a long innovation cycle, while 27% say it holds only as long as early proof-of-concept data is encouraging.
Which R&D Leaders Are Hardest to Find in India?
The commercial-scientist is the scarcest leader. Scientific visionaries tie at 33% with two kinds of leader who link science to commercial strategy. Companies rely on internal promotion and lateral hires from Indian peers (43% each) for senior R&D roles.
Who Makes R&D Investment Decisions in Indian Companies?
Usually, one person decides. In 53% of organizations, the CEO or MD makes R&D investment decisions with input from the R&D head, while only 14% have a dedicated board-level R&D committee and 8% use a Scientific Advisory Board.
Where Will India’s R&D Stand by 2035?
Expectations are measured. The largest group (29%) expects significant but niche progress. Only 16% believe India will become a top-3 global innovation hub by 2035. Biologics and biosimilars lead the highest-potential sectors at 65%.
The study also covers AI in drug discovery, government policy, MNC investment, and the board conversation that respondents say Indian pharma keeps putting off.
About the Authors
Sripad K N Rao has over 25 years of experience, over two decades of it in leadership advisory and executive search, and advises family-owned, promoter-driven, private, and public companies on CEO and CXO succession and board effectiveness. He is a Harvard Kennedy School alumnus. He is also a Fellow at McLean/Harvard Medical School’s Institute of Coaching.
Ashwini Prakash has over 20 years in executive search and leadership advisory, where she works on CEO and board succession planning and on leadership and culture assessments. She is a Certified Corporate Director. Ashwini also serves as a knowledge partner to OPPI, the Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India.
How Can We Help?
At Stanton Chase, we're more than just an executive search and leadership consulting firm. We're your partner in leadership.
Our approach is different. We believe in customized and personal executive search, executive assessment, board services, succession planning, and leadership onboarding support.
We believe in your potential to achieve greatness and we'll do everything we can to help you get there.
View All Services