Rising cancer incidence in India is reshaping demand for oncology drugs, and Zydus Lifesciences says it has emerged as the country’s largest oncology player, built on a fast-expanding portfolio of biologics and oral cancer therapies. Now it is mounting an aggressive push into the US specialty cancer care.

“The growth has been there in the oncology market, with more government schemes getting implemented. We are seeing a higher incidence of cancers,” Managing Director Sharvil Patel said.

The company said its oncology business has scaled rapidly in recent years, supported by early entry into complex biologics and targeted therapies, along with structured patient support programmes that have improved access across treatment lines.

“So we have been able to serve a significant number of patients and with strong medical and patient support programmes, we are seeing very strong traction on the brands which has led to a better growth. Now we are the largest Indian oncology player in the market,” Patel told investors recently.

Zydus’ India oncology portfolio spans biologic therapies such as Pertuzumab and Nivolumab, along with a growing base of oral cancer medicines including Abiraterone, Dasatinib, Imatinib, Lenalidomide and Niraparib. The portfolio covers both solid tumours and blood cancers, reflecting the company’s push across multiple oncology segments rather than a single therapy area.

The scale built in India is now being used as a base for Zydus’ broader global specialty ambitions, particularly in the United States, where the company already has a strong generics footprint.

In the US, Zydus ranks among the top three generic players, supported by a diversified portfolio developed through in-house capabilities as well as partnerships. “In the US market we are ranked among the top three in the generic space backed by a rich and differentiated product portfolio built in house and through partnerships,” Patel said.

The company is now using this platform to expand into specialty pharmaceuticals, with a focus on rare diseases, biosimilars and biologics manufacturing capabilities.

“As we pivot towards specialty we are driving growth through multiple levers. Sentynl pediatrics rare disease portfolio is broadening access to innovative therapies. In biosimilars we have in-licensed two large molecules and strengthened capabilities with newly acquired US manufacturing facilities. We shall maximize the utilization of these facilities through continued bought out supply and onboarding of new partners. Together, these initiatives position us strongly to accelerate in the specialty play,” Patel said.

A key part of this strategy is Sentynl Therapeutics, which strengthens Zydus’ presence in rare diseases and pediatric therapies in the US, adding a dedicated specialty channel beyond generics.

Alongside this, the company is expanding its biosimilars pipeline through in-licensed large molecules and strengthening manufacturing capabilities in the US to support both internal production and third-party partnerships.

In June 2025, Zydus also announced its entry into the global biologics contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) space through the acquisition of Agenus Inc.’s biologics manufacturing facility in California.

The facility gives the company a foothold in the US biologics outsourcing market and positions it within a key global biotech hub, while also supporting its internal biosimilars pipeline and partner-led manufacturing opportunities.

In oncology, Zydus is also building a US supportive care platform anchored by Rolvedon, a long-acting biologic used to reduce infection risk in chemotherapy patients, which it sees as an important anchor product in its speciality expansion.

“We are accelerating our US speciality oncology strategy through the proposed acquisition of Assertio Holdings. This is a pivotal move to provide us with a immediate high-scale commercial platform in the oncology supportive care. At the heart of the deal is Rolvedon, a USFDA approved long acting biologic that anchors our portfolio. By leveraging Assertio’s deep oncology relationships and strong share in Medicare part B account we are now just expanding our footprint, but building a highly differentiated high margin speciality oncology business in the US that is accretive and establishes a strong platform,” Patel said.

In the beginning of this month, Zydus Lifesciences, through its subsidiary Zydus Worldwide DMCC, had proposed to acquire US-based pharmaceutical company Assertio Holdings Inc in an all-cash deal valued at $166.4 million (around ₹1,592 crore).

Zydus is also planning a capital expenditure of ₹1500 crore in FY27 as it scales up manufacturing and specialty operations.

Published on May 25, 2026