Piramal unfazed by Trump-led uncertainty in its biggest market

Trump's plan to impose import tariffs has ramifications for pharma firms but Piramal is betting on its US facilities

- Jessicajani & Khushi Malhotra

Piramal Pharma Ltd is confident that the company's American facilities can help it navigate volatility in its largest US market following Donald Trump's return as president, according to chairperson Nandini Piramal.

Trump's second innings as US president is likely to spell uncertainty for pharma companies, she told Mint, referring to his plan to impose import tariffs to make American industry stronger. "I do think there will be an increase in volatility, but one of the benefits is that we do have manufacturing based in the states. For the customers that can pay the prices, we can manufacture for them. Overall, the Indian industry has lower prices for worldwide patients, which is a good thing." Nearly two-thirds of Piramal Pharma's revenue comes from the developed markets, of which the US contributes 35%. The company has three US-based facilities: Riverview, Michighan for making high potency active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs); Sellersville, Pennsylvania, which manufactures oral solids, creams, liquids and ointments; and Lexington, Kentucky for making sterile injectables.

The company also expects to be better placed in the US in the coming years as the Biosecure Act comes into play.

The US House of Representatives passed the law in September, prohibiting American pharma players from doing business with certain Chinese drug companies starting 2032. Since then, all eyes have been on Indian contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) such as Piramal Pharma, Syngene, and Neuland Labs as businesses will look to shift their supply chains to an alternative base.