Wockhardt Chairman Habil Khorakiwala is lobbying the Indian government for 12 to 14 years of regulatory data protection to boost indigenous drug research. The company aims to address delays in bringing new therapies to the local market. Wockhardt recently reported a net profit of ₹73 crore for Q2 FY27, with shares closing at ₹1,887.00 on November 3, 2026.
Wockhardt is pushing for a significant change in India's pharmaceutical policy by requesting 12 to 14 years of regulatory data protection for domestically developed medicines. Company Chairman Habil Khorakiwala argues that this measure is essential to incentivize local innovation and allow Indian firms to better recoup the high costs associated with research and development. The proposal aims to bridge the gap between regulatory approval and the effective patent life, ensuring that innovative drugs developed in India are not disadvantaged compared to international products entering the market.
A key part of the company's argument is that current systemic issues create delays for local innovators. Wockhardt has pointed to a lack of coordination between the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the Indian patent office as a hurdle. Currently, there is no requirement for the drug regulator to check the patent status of a product before granting market access to competitors. By integrating these systems, the firm believes the government could provide a more stable environment for local companies to defend their intellectual property after completing rigorous clinical trials and approval processes.
This lobbying effort comes as Wockhardt continues to focus on its R&D-driven business model. The company has made notable progress in this area, including the development of its breakthrough antibiotic drug, Zaynich (cefepime + zidebactam), which has received approvals from both the US FDA and India's CDSCO. Investors tracking the company's performance recently saw its second-quarter results for FY27, where it reported a net profit of ₹73 crore, marking a 24% year-on-year increase in revenue. These figures were released following a board meeting on November 2, 2026.
While the push for extended data exclusivity is aimed at transitioning Indian pharmaceutical companies from generic manufacturing toward original research, it remains a point of debate in a market that has historically prioritized low-cost and high-volume generic accessibility. Because this request is currently a lobbying effort rather than established government policy, there is regulatory uncertainty surrounding its adoption. Shareholders may monitor how the government responds to this proposal and whether it influences the broader competitive landscape for R&D-heavy pharmaceutical firms in India. Wockhardt shares closed at ₹1,887.00 on November 3, 2026, and the company's ability to balance its ongoing research investments with operational and debt management remains a key factor for the market to track.