Natco Pharma

Natco Pharma

Company type	Public
Traded as	NSE:  NATCOPHARM BSE:  524816
Industry	Pharmaceuticals
Founded	1981
Founder	V. C. Nannapaneni
Headquarters	Hyderabad, Telangana , India
Area served	Global
Key people	V. C. Nannapaneni (Chairman and MD) [1] Rajeev Nannapaneni (CEO and Vice Chairman) [2]
Revenue	₹41,169 million (US$490 million) (2024)
Operating income	₹18,795 million (US$220 million) (2024)
Net income	₹13,883 million (US$160 million) (2024)
Website	www.natcopharma.co.in

Natco Pharma is an Indian multinational vertically integrated pharmaceutical company based in Hyderabad, Telangana. The company operates in pharmaceutical formulations, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and agrochemical products, serving domestic and international markets across more than 50 countries. ^[3]

Natco Pharma is a major producer of branded oncology medicines and also operates in cardiology, diabetology and other specialty therapeutic areas. ^{[4] [5]} The company focuses on complex and limited-competition pharmaceutical products, particularly for regulated markets such as the United States.

During the early 2000s, advances in cancer screening, diagnosis, molecular pathology, targeted therapies, immunotherapies and supportive care significantly improved clinical outcomes globally. However, the high cost of targeted therapies limited accessibility in many developing countries. Through in-house research and development, Natco Pharma developed generic versions of several targeted and specialty therapies, enabling wider access at substantially lower costs than innovator drugs. ^[6]

The company launched India’s first dedicated affordable targeted therapy in 2003. Research and development has remained a core component of its operations, supporting the development of complex generic medicines and selected drug discovery initiatives. ^[7]

History

Natco Pharma was founded in 1981 by Venkaiah Choudary Nannapaneni with the objective of improving access to specialty medicines.

• 1981 – Commenced formulation manufacturing at its Kothur facility.
• 1986 – Began manufacturing parenteral products at the Nagarjuna Sagar facility.
• 1992 – Natco Pharma was listed as a public company on 1 July 1992. ^[8]
• 1993 – Chemical division at Mekaguda, Telangana commenced production of APIs and intermediates.
• 2003 – Launched its oncology division with the introduction of VEENAT (generic imatinib mesylate) for chronic myelogenous leukemia.
• 2009 – Established an organics facility in Chennai for cytotoxic APIs and biotechnology products.
• 2011 – Incorporated its Brazilian subsidiary, NATCOfarma do Brasil LTDA.
• 2013 – Established Natco Pharma Canada Inc. to support sales and distribution in Canada.
• 2016 – Launched a generic version of oseltamivir phosphate capsules in the United States. ^[9]
• 2017 – Entered cardiology and diabetology segments in India with the launch of dabigatran.
• 2017 – Launched glatiramer acetate injection and liposomal doxorubicin in the United States. ^[10]
• 2019 – Established the Crop Health Sciences division. ^[11]
• 2022 – Launched the first generic version of Revlimid in the United States.
• 2022 – Introduced chlorantraniliprole (CTPR)-based agrochemical products in India.
• 2023 – Established subsidiaries in Indonesia and Colombia to expand international operations.
• 2024 – Reported its highest annual revenue, EBITDA and profit after tax.

Businesses

Natco Pharma operates through two primary business segments: pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.

Pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical business comprises finished dosage formulations (FDF) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), supplying products to regulated and emerging markets including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia Pacific regions. ^[12]

Export formulations

The export formulations business focuses on niche and complex pharmaceutical products across regulated international markets.

Domestic formulations

Natco’s domestic pharmaceutical operations are segmented into oncology, pharma specialties, cardiology and diabetology. ^[13] The company has a significant presence in branded oncology targeted therapies in India.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API)

Natco’s API business supports both captive consumption and external supply. ^[14] Initially focused on oncology APIs, the portfolio has expanded to cover multiple therapeutic areas including central nervous system disorders, pain management and cardiovascular care. ^[15]

Crop Health Sciences

The Crop Health Sciences division focuses on agrochemical solutions based on organic chemistry and techno-legal expertise. ^[16] The division develops pest management and biological crop solutions and has introduced pheromone-based products for managing pink bollworm infestations in cotton crops.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility initiatives are undertaken through the Natco Trust, established in 1995. ^[17] The Trust operates in Hyderabad and surrounding districts, including Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar in Telangana and Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. Its activities focus on education support, health, hygiene and sanitation, and livelihood and employment generation.

References

1. "Facing headwinds in US, Natco Pharma looks to scale up business in China". Livemint. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
2. "Natco Pharma: In fine fettle". Forbes India. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
3. "Our Business | Natco Pharma" . Retrieved 25 April 2022.
4. "Natco Pharma lines up 20 'Para IV' products". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
5. "How Natco defied the odds to rise up India's pharma ladder". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
6. "Natco Pharma: In fine fettle". Forbes India. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
7. "Mission & Heritage | Natco Pharma" . Retrieved 25 April 2022.
8. "Natco Pharma Ltd – History of Company" . Retrieved 8 January 2026.
9. "Bayer cancer drug faces new Nexavar patent problems in India". The Pharma Letter. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
10. "Niche Play". Business Today. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
11. "Natco Pharma expects agri business to be key growth lever". The Hindu Business Line. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
12. Rishav Kaushik (2 July 2025). "Natco Pharma – Betting on the Jockey". Sana Securities. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
13. Rishav Kaushik (2 July 2025). "Natco Pharma – Betting on the Jockey". Sana Securities. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
14. "Natco Pharma Limited – Ratings reaffirmed and assigned for enhanced amount". ICRA Limited. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
15. "How Natco defied the odds to rise up India's pharma ladder". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
16. Rahul Koul (12 May 2021). "NATCO Pharma bets big on agrochemical". Indian Chemical News. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
17. "Corporate Social Responsibility Policy". Natco Pharma Limited. 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.