Sun Pharma profit up 26%, Biocon US launch, Natco NPPA notice
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Pharma News India Weekly (18 May – 23 May 2026): Sun Pharma Profit Jumps 26%, Natco Gets NPPA Notice & Biocon Launches US Biosimilars
Namaste Readers!
Welcome back to your weekly dose of Pharma News India Weekly.
The week of May 18 to May 23, 2026, was full of major developments. Sun Pharma delivered strong quarterly results with 26% profit growth. Biocon launched two biosimilars in the US market. Natco Pharma received a ₹4.92 crore demand notice from NPPA. Chemists across Bihar shut shops protesting against online pharmacies. And Torrent Pharmaceuticals continued leading the generic semaglutide race.
So grab your cup of chai ☕ and let me walk you through the latest pharmaceutical news in India in simple and easy language.
For more such weekly updates, keep visiting Greencrossindia.com/blog.
Quick Summary: Pharma News India This Week
Let me quickly list the top stories we are covering today:
- Sun Pharma reported 26% profit growth in Q4FY26, driven by specialty medicines
- Biocon launched two denosumab biosimilars – Bosaya and Aukelso – in the US market
- Natco Pharma received ₹4.92 crore NPPA demand notice for alleged overcharging
- Torrent Pharmaceuticals leads generic semaglutide race with 38% market share
- Chemist shops remained closed across Bihar protesting against unregulated online pharmacies
- Plazza, a quick medicine delivery startup, is in talks to raise $15 million
- FDA granted priority review to Bayer's Kerendia for type 1 diabetes-related kidney disease
- FDA cleared Harbour BioMed's IND application for HBM7004 to treat advanced solid tumours
- Sun Pharma's India market share increased from 8.1% to 8.4%
- Sun Pharma declared ₹5 per share dividend for FY26
- Dr. Naresh Trehan warned against unsupervised GLP-1 use in Indians
- Indian pharma exports crossed $31 billion despite global challenges
- HAB Pharma announced merger with Signature Phytochemicals
- Pharma companies increased R&D investments in specialty medicines and biologics
Let me explain each story in simple terms.
1. Sun Pharma Q4 Results: Profit Jumps 26%, Revenue Grows 13%
The biggest news this week in Pharma News India Weekly is from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries.
The company reported a consolidated net profit of ₹2,714 crore in Q4FY26, registering a 26% year-on-year growth. Its net profit in Q4 FY25 was at ₹2,149 crore. The company's revenue from operations grew 12.7% to ₹14,611 crore from ₹12,958 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.
Full-year performance
Sun Pharma's total profit for FY26 grew 5% to ₹11,479 crore. The company's revenue also rose to ₹58,462 crore in FY26 from ₹52,578 crore in the previous year.
What the management said
Kirti Ganorkar, Managing Director of Sun Pharma, said: "Our full-year performance reflects several significant achievements. Sun's 0.3 percentage point gain in the India market is our highest gain since the Ranbaxy acquisition. Our U.S. Innovative Medicines business has surpassed $1 billion in revenues, while Ex-US Innovative Medicines continues to demonstrate strong growth momentum."
Market share growth
Sun Pharma's market share increased from 8.1% to 8.4%, according to the Pharmarack MAT Mar-2026 report. The company launched 11 new products during the quarter and 37 in the full year.
The Organon deal
In April this year, Sun Pharma acquired US-based pharmaceutical company Organon in an $11.75 billion all-cash deal – marking one of the largest foreign acquisitions by an Indian company. The company said it has set up an integration management office, and planning has begun to assess combined capabilities and plan for cultural assimilation.
Dividend announcement
Sun Pharma's board of directors recommended a final dividend of ₹5 per equity share for FY26.
2. Biocon Launches Two Biosimilars in US Market
Big news from Biocon this week.
Biocon Limited has begun commercial distribution of two denosumab biosimilars in the United States. The launch features Bosaya (denosumab-kyqq), a biosimilar to Prolia, available as a 60 mg/mL injection for subcutaneous use in a prefilled syringe. Additionally, Aukelso (denosumab-kyqq), a biosimilar to Xgeva, is available as a 120 mg/1.7 mL injection for subcutaneous use in a single-dose vial.
What is the market opportunity?
Let me explain in simple terms.
An estimated 10 million adults over 50 years of age have osteoporosis in the US, with another 44 million at risk due to low bone density. One in two women and up to one in four men over age 50 will fracture a bone in their lifetime because of this disease. Both products also carry indications relevant to giant cell tumor of bone.
In 2024 alone, denosumab products generated approximately $5 billion in US sales.
What Biocon's CEO said
Shreehas Tambe, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Biocon Limited, said: "The U.S. introduction of Bosaya and Aukelso marks a strategic expansion of our biosimilars portfolio, building on our established leadership in oncology and immunology. These therapies broaden access to high-quality, affordable treatment options for patients living with serious bone conditions."
Interchangeable designation
Both products received approval and interchangeable designation from the FDA in September 2025. The interchangeable designation demonstrates not just biosimilarity, but that patients can switch between the biosimilar and the reference product without increased safety or efficacy risk compared to remaining on the reference alone.
3. Natco Pharma Receives ₹4.92 Crore NPPA Demand Notice
Natco Pharma remained in focus this week for regulatory reasons.
The company received a demand notice dated May 12, 2026, from the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), New Delhi.
What is the notice about?
According to the company's regulatory filing submitted to stock exchanges, the demand notice was issued under Paragraph 15 of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 2013. The notice directs Natco Pharma to deposit an amount of around ₹4.92 crore, which includes overcharge amount, penalty, and interest.
The notice alleges overcharging related to two drugs covering the period between April 2023 and November 2023.
What Natco said
Natco Pharma stated in its disclosure that there would be "no material impact on financial, operational and other activities of the Company." The company also acknowledged a delay in making the regulatory disclosure to stock exchanges, attributing it to "technical issues or procedural delay in flow of information."
Market reaction
Following the news, Natco Pharma share price declined 0.37% to ₹1,200. The broader market was positive, but Natco bucked the trend.
Who holds stake in Natco?
According to the March 2026 shareholding pattern:
- Promoters held 49.41% stake in Natco Pharma
- Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) held 17.37% stake
- Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) held 5.46% stake
- Ace investor Akash Bhanshali held a 1.01% stake in Natco Pharma as of March 2026
What is Natco Pharma?
Natco Pharma is an Indian pharmaceutical company engaged in developing, manufacturing, and marketing specialty medicines, oncology products, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company has presence across domestic and international markets including the US, Canada, Europe, and emerging markets, with focus on complex generics and niche therapeutic products.
4. Torrent Leads Generic Semaglutide Race with 38% Market Share
The generic GLP-1 race continues to heat up.
Over a dozen Indian companies launched generic versions of the GLP-1 drug used for diabetes and weight management since the expiry of Novo Nordisk's patent for the innovator molecule in end-March. They generated about ₹44 crore in generic semaglutide sales in April.
Who is leading?
Ahmedabad-based drug maker Torrent Pharma has taken a significant early lead in the generic semaglutide market, grabbing a nearly 38% share within a month of launch.
As per April data, Torrent posted about ₹17 crore in sales, far exceeding rivals such as Zydus Lifesciences, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, and Lupin (about ₹4 crore each), Alkem and Eris (about ₹3.4 crore each), and Sun Pharma and USV (about ₹2.3 crore each).
Why is Torrent winning?
Torrent is the only Indian company to have launched generic semaglutide in both oral and injectable forms – a key factor that experts say has led to its fast pickup.
Dr Aasim Maldar, consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital, said: "Torrent's early lead appears to be driven by oral semaglutide. Many patients would prefer a tablet over an injection, given the choice."
Total market size
Total semaglutide sales, including generic and innovator, in April stood at around ₹88-90 crore, up from about ₹59 crore in March.
5. Chemist Shops Remain Closed Across Bihar Against Online Pharmacies
This is important news for patients and the pharmaceutical trade.
Hundreds of chemist shops remained closed across Bihar on May 20 in response to a one-day nationwide bandh call given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) against online medicine sales and e-pharmacy platforms.
Where was the impact visible?
The impact of the shutdown was visible in several districts, including Patna, Nawada, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, East Champaran, Vaishali, West Champaran, Khagaria, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Sasaram, Purnea, and Katihar.
What the Bihar association said
Parsan Kumar Singh, president of the Chemists and Druggists Association of Bihar, told reporters: "Online e-pharmacy platforms are selling medicines without proper prescription checks and offering discounts that small pharmacies cannot compete with. The government must intervene in the matter. The strike has been called to protect small chemists while also keeping patient safety in mind."
The core issue
Singh said online e-pharmacy platforms operating in the country should either be brought under a proper legal framework or shut down completely.
"Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, there are several provisions governing the sale of medicines through medical stores. There are separate regulations for narcotic medicines, Schedule H1 drugs, and other restricted medicines. However, there are no such clear provisions or regulations for e-pharmacies," he added.
6. Quick Commerce in Pharma: Plazza in Talks to Raise $15 Million
India's medicine delivery landscape is changing.
Plazza, a quick medicine delivery startup, is in advanced discussions to raise around $15 million in a new funding round, as it looks to expand its store network and strengthen its hyperlocal fulfilment capabilities.
Who is investing?
The round is expected to see about $4 million each from **Accel, Elevation Capital, and Nexus Venture Partners**, with the remaining $3 million likely to come from existing investors, including All In Capital.
What is the valuation?
The funding could value the Bengaluru-based company at around $50 million, although deal terms are yet to be finalised.
What is Plazza's model?
Founded as a rapid medicine delivery platform, Plazza promises deliveries within 15 to 60 minutes, positioning itself closer to a quick commerce player for pharmaceuticals rather than a conventional e-pharmacy marketplace. It follows an inventory-led approach, stocking medicines and healthcare products in dark store-like facilities to enable faster deliveries.
The competitive landscape
The segment is heating up, with startups such as Farmako and Medstown also pushing 30-minute delivery models and raising capital to scale. At the same time, large platforms including Swiggy, Zepto, Flipkart, Tata 1mg, and Apollo have entered or expanded in the category.
7. FDA Grants Priority Review to Bayer's Kerendia
In global regulatory news, the US FDA has granted priority review to Bayer's supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Kerendia (finerenone) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
What is Kerendia?
Kerendia (finerenone) is a selective, non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. It was approved by the FDA in July 2021 to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease associated with Type 2 diabetes.
If approved for T1D, Kerendia would be the first non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist for adults with Type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
What does the study show?
The sNDA was supported by the Phase III FINE-ONE trial, which showed Kerendia significantly reduced urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) over six months compared with placebo. UACR is an important marker of cardiovascular risk and kidney disease progression.
Why this matters
Type 1 diabetes is a disease where the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells. About 2 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes. Approximately 20% to 30% of people with Type 1 diabetes also have chronic kidney disease, which puts them at risk of cardiovascular events and kidney failure.
What does priority review mean?
Priority review is granted to drugs that, if approved, would provide significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment. The FDA aims to take action within 6 months instead of the standard 10 months.
8. FDA Clears Harbour BioMed's IND Application for HBM7004
Another global regulatory update – the US FDA has cleared Harbour BioMed's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for HBM7004, a novel B7H4xCD3 bispecific antibody for the treatment of advanced solid tumours.
What is HBM7004?
HBM7004 is a bispecific antibody targeting B7H4 and CD3, developed using Harbour BioMed's HBICE platform. The molecule is designed to redirect T cells toward B7H4-expressing tumour cells, enabling localised immune activation within the tumour microenvironment while limiting systemic immune stimulation.
What do preclinical studies show?
According to Harbour BioMed, preclinical studies demonstrated that HBM7004 induced B7H4-dependent T cell activation within tumour environments and showed strong anti-tumour activity across multiple in vivo models. The therapy also exhibited favourable pharmacokinetics and reduced systemic toxicity.
What is the plan?
The first-in-human Phase I clinical trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and anti-tumour activity of HBM7004 in patients with advanced solid tumours.
9. Dr. Naresh Trehan Warns Against Unsupervised GLP-1 Use
Renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Naresh Trehan, founder of Medanta, has issued a stern warning against the unsupervised use of GLP-1 drugs in Indians.
What did he say?
Dr. Trehan said that these drugs were originally developed in the US for severe obesity and Type 2 diabetes. However, the entry of low-cost generic versions has led to widespread misuse via online pharmacies and wellness clinics.
Why is this a concern?
Using these powerful prescription drugs without proper medical supervision – especially for cosmetic weight loss – can be dangerous for Indians. The drug formulations and dosages were designed for Western populations. Random use without understanding individual health conditions can lead to serious side effects.
10. Other Important News (Quick Bites)
Let me quickly run through some other stories.
Indian pharma exports crossed $31 billion – despite global economic pressure and supply chain challenges, the industry showed strong resilience.
HAB Pharma announced merger with Signature Phytochemicals – the merger is expected to improve operational efficiency, strengthen manufacturing systems, and support future expansion.
API manufacturing and supply chain discussions continued – Indian companies are working towards reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic API production.
Pharma companies increased R&D investments – companies are focusing on specialty medicines, biologics, biosimilars, and advanced therapies.
What This Means for You
Let me break it down by who you are.
If you are a patient:
- Chemists across Bihar shut shops on May 20 protesting against online pharmacies. Stock up on essential medicines if needed.
- Weight-loss drugs are being sold without prescriptions. Always consult a doctor before taking any prescription medicine.
- New biosimilars in the US market mean more affordable treatment options for serious bone conditions.
If you are an investor:
- Sun Pharma delivered 26% profit growth and declared ₹5 dividend. The Organon deal integration is progressing.
- Natco Pharma received a ₹4.92 crore NPPA notice. Watch how the company responds.
- Torrent leads the generic semaglutide race with 38% market share – an early lead in a high-growth segment.
If you are a pharma professional:
- The chemist protest against online pharmacies is not going away. Regulation is coming – sooner or later.
- Biocon's US biosimilar launches show that Indian companies can compete globally.
- Quick commerce is coming to pharma – Plazza is raising $15 million from top VCs.
FAQ – Pharma News Weekly India
Q: What are the top pharmaceutical trends for 2026?
A: Based on this week's news: Explosive growth in specialty medicines and GLP-1 drugs. Consolidation through major acquisitions like Sun Pharma-Organon. Expansion of Indian biosimilars in the US market as seen with Biocon. Regulatory scrutiny on online pharmacies. AI-driven drug discovery accelerating. Increasing focus on complex generics and biologics. Strong export growth despite global challenges.
Q: What are the latest pharma news updates this week (17-23 May 2026)?
A: Key updates include: Sun Pharma reported 26% profit growth and declared ₹5 dividend. Biocon launched two biosimilars in the US market. Natco Pharma received a ₹4.92 crore NPPA demand notice. Chemist shops remained closed across Bihar against online pharmacies. Torrent leads generic semaglutide race with 38% market share. FDA granted priority review to Bayer's Kerendia.
Q: Where can I find all weekly pharma industry news?
A: For comprehensive, curated weekly updates covering policy changes, market trends, and company-specific news in the Indian pharmaceutical sector, you can rely on Greencrossindia.com/blog.
Q: What is happening in the pharmaceutical industry this week?
A: The industry is navigating multiple developments. Sun Pharma delivered strong quarterly results. Biocon expanded its US biosimilars presence. Natco is dealing with an NPPA demand notice. Chemists are escalating their protest against online pharmacies. And the GLP-1 market continues to grow rapidly with Torrent leading the generic race.
Q: Is Natco Pharma in trouble after the NPPA notice?
A: The notice is for ₹4.92 crore, which is not a huge amount for a company of Natco's size. The management has clarified there will be no material impact on operations. However, regulatory scrutiny is always a concern for investors.
Q: Why are chemists protesting against online pharmacies?
A: Chemists argue that online pharmacies operate without proper regulatory oversight. Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, there are clear provisions for physical medical stores, but no such provisions exist for e-pharmacies. They are demanding either proper regulation or complete shutdown of online platforms.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The information is based on publicly available sources including news websites, magazines, and industry insights. Readers are advised to verify details independently before making any decisions related to health, business, or investment. Neither the author nor Greencrossindia.com is responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this information.