OneSource Bets Big on Multi-Modality to Build a Global Pharma Powerhouse

Building a One-Stop Pharma Partner

OneSource Specialty Pharma is taking a different route to become a major global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO). Instead of focusing on one type of pharmaceutical product, the company is bringing several technologies under one roof. It was created from specialty pharmaceutical businesses separated from Strides Pharma Science and became an independent listed company in January 2025.

The company is built around four major areas: drug-device combinations, biologics, sterile injectables, and softgel capsules. This gives pharmaceutical companies access to several manufacturing services through one partner. The goal is simple: reduce the number of suppliers a drug company needs to manage while making development and manufacturing easier.

According to Towards Healthcare, the microbial CDMO market size was estimated at USD 3.96 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 4.3 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 9.15 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 8.74% from 2026 to 2035. The market is driven by rising demand for complex biopharmaceuticals and cost-effective microbial fermentation, according to data from various industry reports. Key trends include outsourcing to reduce capital costs and the adoption of AI and advanced microbial engineering to optimize manufacturing processes.

Big Investment in Complex Medicines

OneSource is investing heavily to expand its capabilities. The company reported revenue of about ₹1,422 crore in FY26 and plans to spend around $100 million on expanding its drug-device combination business. Much of this investment is aimed at meeting rising demand for complex injectable medicines and GLP-1 therapies used for diabetes and obesity. About 80% of the planned drug-device investment has already been committed. A second cartridge line entered commercial operations in the second quarter of FY27, while another expansion is planned during FY27. These investments are expected to increase the company’s sterile manufacturing capacity and support future growth.

The company is also expanding biologics, sterile injectables and softgel production. Its existing assets give it an advantage because building a new complex manufacturing facility from scratch can take years before commercial production begins.

GLP-1 Drugs Create a Major Opportunity

The rapid growth of GLP-1 medicines has become an important opportunity for OneSource. Drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide often require specialised delivery systems, including cartridges, pens, sterile filling and device assembly. These requirements match OneSource’s drug-device capabilities.

The company already has more than 20 customers in its drug-device combination business. Its platform has supported three G7 semaglutide approvals and two first-to-file tirzepatide opportunities. It has also started commercialising semaglutide programmes in India and Canada and is working with Hikma Pharmaceuticals for generic semaglutide in the MENA region.

However, OneSource does not want to depend only on GLP-1 medicines. Biologics are another major growth area. The company is expanding microbial and mammalian manufacturing capacity and is targeting biosimilars, animal health products and innovative biologics.

Strong Foundation for Global Growth

OneSource’s strategy is supported by an established manufacturing and regulatory base. The company operates five facilities and has approvals from regulators in major markets, including the U.S. and Europe. It has more than 1,600 employees, over 80 global customers and more than 220 successful audits.

The company believes its biggest advantages are capability, capacity and compliance. These are important in complex pharmaceutical manufacturing because customers need reliable technology, sufficient production capacity and strong regulatory performance. Its multi-modality model can also help deepen relationships with existing customers. A company may initially use OneSource for biologics or injectables and later use its other services. This can increase business without requiring the company to find a completely new customer.

OneSource is trying to build more than a manufacturing company. It is creating an integrated platform that can support pharmaceutical products from development and scale-up to commercial production. With investments in GLP-1 therapies, biologics, injectables, and softgels, the company is positioning itself to benefit from the global shift toward complex medicines and greater outsourcing.

A recent report by Towards Healthcare highlights that the microbial CDMO market is witnessing growth due to expanding manufacturing capacities for next-generation therapeutics and live biotherapeutic products to address evolving market needs. Strategic partnerships with virtual biotech firms and investment in sustainable, scalable bioprocessing technologies represent key growth areas to accelerate time-to-market.