Biocon has announced a final dividend of Re. 0.50 per share, or 10%, for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, pending approval from shareholders. The record date to determine eligibility for this payout is Friday, July 03, 2026. Once approved at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM), the dividend will be paid on or before August 20, 2026, through electronic transfer modes to shareholders with updated bank details.

The 48th AGM of Biocon Limited is scheduled for Thursday, August 06, 2026, at 3:30 PM IST. The meeting will be conducted via video conferencing or other audio-visual means, allowing members to participate remotely. The facility for appointing a proxy will not be available, though members participating via video conferencing will be counted towards the quorum under Section 103 of the Companies Act, 2013.

In accordance with regulatory provisions, the company has established a remote e-voting period for shareholders. The e-voting facility will be available from Saturday, August 01, 2026, at 9:00 AM IST until Wednesday, August 05, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. Shareholders holding shares as of the cut-off date, Thursday, July 30, 2026, are eligible to cast their votes on the resolutions set forth in the AGM notice.

The notice for the 48th AGM and the Integrated Annual Report for FY 2025-26 will be sent electronically to members with registered email addresses. Physical copies will not be dispatched. Shareholders who have not registered their email IDs or updated bank details are advised to do so through their depository participants or the registrar, KFin Technologies Limited, to ensure receipt of communications and dividend payments.

The company has also noted that dividend income is taxable under the Income Tax Act, 2025, and tax deducted at source (TDS) will be applicable as per prescribed rates. Shareholders are required to submit necessary documents to avail of applicable tax rates. Queries regarding TDS or e-voting can be directed to the designated contact points provided by the registrar.

Indian pharmaceutical companies are positioning themselves to enter the biosimilar market for Keytruda (pembrolizumab), one of the world's leading cancer immunotherapy treatments, as its patent expiration opens the door for competition. Biocon , Zydus, and Dr Reddy's are among the Indian drugmakers preparing to develop and launch biosimilar versions of the blockbuster drug, according to a report by Business Standard.

A Blockbuster Drug in Focus

Keytruda, developed by Merck & Co., is a PD-1 inhibitor widely used in the treatment of multiple cancer types, including lung cancer, melanoma, and several other solid tumors. The drug's global sales are projected at $31.7 billion by 2025, underscoring the enormous commercial opportunity that biosimilar entry could represent for Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Indian Pharma's Strategic Push

The anticipated patent expiration of Keytruda presents a significant opportunity for Indian biosimilar manufacturers, who have established a strong track record in the global biologics market. Biocon, Zydus, and Dr Reddy's are each known for their capabilities in developing complex biologics and biosimilars, and their preparation to enter this segment reflects a broader industry trend of Indian companies targeting high-value oncology biologics.

The biosimilar market for a drug of Keytruda's scale could be transformative for participating companies, given the drug's widespread use across multiple oncology indications globally. Indian drugmakers entering this space would be competing not only with each other but also with global pharmaceutical players pursuing similar biosimilar development programs.

Significance for the Biosimilar Landscape

The entry of Indian companies into the Keytruda biosimilar space is expected to intensify competition in the oncology biologics segment. Biosimilars of high-cost cancer drugs have historically played a role in improving patient access and reducing treatment costs in markets where they receive regulatory approval. The projected scale of Keytruda's global sales makes it one of the most closely watched biosimilar opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry.

As Indian pharmaceutical companies advance their biosimilar pipelines, the competitive dynamics of the global oncology market are set to evolve significantly following Keytruda's patent expiration.