From our founding in 1987 to becoming a fully integrated pharmaceutical group with global reach, explore the milestones and achievements that define Shilpa Medicare's journey of innovation and excellence.
Founded in 1987 as an API manufacturer in Raichur, Karnataka, Shilpa Medicare has grown from a single facility to a fully integrated pharmaceutical group with global reach, robust R&D footprint, and advanced CDMO/biologics capabilities.
Commercial production began in November 1989, marking the start of our journey to become a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer serving patients worldwide.
Over the decades, Shilpa Medicare has strategically expanded beyond our API manufacturing roots into multiple pharmaceutical domains, establishing ourselves as an innovation-driven organization.
Expanded into diverse dosage forms including oral solids, injectables, and specialized delivery systems
Built high potency API capabilities with strict containment for cancer therapeutics
Developed expertise in technically challenging formulations and peptide APIs
Entered the biologics space with world-class R&D and pilot manufacturing capabilities
Established comprehensive contract development and manufacturing offerings
Formed collaborations for biologics, licensing, and global market access
USFDA inspections with zero 483 observations for API plants, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to quality and compliance
Opening of state-of-the-art transdermal patch and oral thin film facility, expanding our dosage form capabilities
Established strategic partnerships for biologics development, technology licensing, and global commercialization
Built multiple world-class R&D centers across India specializing in APIs, formulations, and biologics
Shilpa Medicare was incorporated in Raichur, Karnataka in November 1987 as Shilpa Antibiotics Limited and began commercial production of trimethoprim in November 1989. Over nearly four decades it has moved from antibacterial intermediates to oncology Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, then to complex finished dosage forms, and most recently into biosimilars, antibody-drug conjugates and recombinant proteins.
The pattern in that history is consistent: Shilpa Medicare has repeatedly chosen the harder molecule — each step further from commodity manufacturing and closer to genuine scientific differentiation.
Incorporated at Raichur, Karnataka as Shilpa Antibiotics Limited.
First commercial production — trimethoprim.
Converted to a public limited company.
Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE: 530549).
First patent application filed.
Managing Director receives the Government of India Best Entrepreneur Award; Star Export House status granted.
Listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE: SHILPAMED); first oncology API Drug Master File filed (anastrozole).
100% Export Oriented Unit commissioned at Raichur API Unit II.
Controlling interest acquired in Shilpa Therapeutics; Raichem Life Sciences merged; US operations initiated.
National Energy Conservation Award, First Prize (Drugs & Pharmaceuticals), from the President of India.
Jadcherla finished dosage facility becomes operational.
Strategic pivot into Finished Dosage Forms; nanotechnology R&D centre established at Bengaluru; historical US FDA approvals for the Raichur API units and Jadcherla (current facility-by-facility regulatory status is set out on the Quality & Regulatory page).
First EU marketing authorisation; first US ANDA; EU centralised approval for imatinib.
Biologics platform established.
FTF Pharma acquired; zero-observation US FDA inspections at API Units I and II.
Transdermal patch and oral thin film facility commissioned at Dabaspet, Bengaluru.
₹500 crore qualified institutional placement completed; balance sheet deleveraged.
EU-GMP certification for Shilpa Biologicals, Dharwad (zero observations); world-first CDSCO approval for NorUDCA in NAFLD; EMA approval for rivaroxaban orodispersible films; Orion Corporation partnership for recombinant human albumin in Europe; EcoVadis Gold Medal; 1:1 bonus issue.
EMA approval for rotigotine transdermal patch; first US ANDA filed for a transdermal product; integrated ADC drug-substance GMP facility commissioned at Dharwad; Orion partnership extended to a nivolumab biosimilar for Europe; SteinCares biosimilar licensing for Latin America; Gate2Brain stake acquired; credit rating upgraded to AA−.
Serving patients in over 40 countries across regulated and emerging markets
Four world-class R&D centers driving innovation across APIs, formulations, and biologics
Comprehensive contract development and manufacturing services for global partners
Advanced biologics R&D and cGMP pilot facility for biosimilars and novel biologics
USFDA, EMA, WHO-GMP approved facilities with zero tolerance for quality compromises
250+ patents filed demonstrating our commitment to innovation and IP development
From our humble beginnings in 1987 to our position today as a fully integrated pharmaceutical powerhouse, Shilpa Medicare remains committed to our founding vision: delivering high-quality, affordable medicines that improve lives globally. As we continue to innovate and expand, we stay true to the values that have guided us for over three decades.
