Indian pharmaceutical companies continue to make strategic moves in global markets, with Ajanta Pharma leading Wednesday's gainers following a major licensing agreement, while Zydus and Emcure reported significant regulatory developments.

Ajanta Pharma Stock Surges on Biocon Partnership

Shares of Ajanta Pharma gained 5.10% on Wednesday, trading at ₹2,804.80, following the announcement of an in-licensing agreement with Biocon for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. The stock has surged over 11% in the last month, reducing its year-to-date losses to 6.50%.

Biocon will supply semaglutide to Ajanta Pharma for exclusive marketing in 23 countries and semi-exclusive marketing in three countries across Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. The product patent expires in most of these markets in March 2026, with Ajanta planning commercialization after receiving regulatory approvals expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

"GLP-1 therapies have witnessed rapid global acceptance and have emerged as blockbuster products across the world. We are excited to partner with Biocon for semaglutide and take this important therapy to the markets where Ajanta has strong on-ground presence and deep reach," said Yogesh Agarwal, Managing Director of Ajanta Pharma.

Zydus Expands US Biosimilar Portfolio

Zydus Lifesciences has secured a significant partnership through its wholly owned subsidiary, Zydus Lifesciences Global FZE, United Arab Emirates. The company entered into a strategic agreement with Bioeq AG, a Swiss biopharmaceutical company, for the licensing, supply and commercialisation of NUFYMCO in the US market.

This transaction represents an expansion of Zydus' US biosimilar business, building on its recent partnership with Formycon AG for a biosimilar of Keytruda (Pembrolizumab). The USFDA approved the Biologics License Application (BLA) for NUFYMCO on December 18.

Emcure Receives Positive USFDA Facility Classification

Emcure Pharmaceuticals has received favorable regulatory news from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The USFDA issued a No Action Indicated (NAI) classification for the company's facility located in Kadu, Surendranagar, following the completion of a regulatory inspection.

The NAI classification indicates that the facility met USFDA standards during the inspection process, providing regulatory confidence for the company's manufacturing operations and potential US market activities.

Zydus Lifesciences has announced a postponement in the closure of its API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) business deal with Sterling Biotech, with the new timeline extending to June 30.

Transaction Timeline Extension

The pharmaceutical company has confirmed that both parties have mutually agreed to postpone the closure of the API business deal. The revised completion date has been set for June 30, extending the original timeline for the transaction completion.

Business Implications

This postponement represents a timeline adjustment in the ongoing business arrangement between the two pharmaceutical companies. The extension suggests that both Zydus Lifesciences and Sterling Biotech may require additional time to complete the necessary due diligence, regulatory approvals, or other procedural requirements associated with the API business transaction.

The API business segment plays a crucial role in pharmaceutical manufacturing, as active pharmaceutical ingredients form the core components of finished drug products. The deal between these two companies involves the transfer or collaboration related to API business operations.

Next Steps

With the new deadline established for June 30, both companies will continue working toward completing the transaction within the extended timeframe. The postponement allows for proper completion of all regulatory and business formalities required for the API business deal closure.