The list of drug majors scouting for a suitable buy in India is long. But this time, the attraction is: India as a market, and not merely as an inexpensive destination to source and produce products, say consultants and lawyers observing the increased merger and acquisition (M&A) activity seen in the pharmaceutical space.

Lupin and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals are leading Indian mid-cap drug makers in exploiting rising demand for medicines in South American nations, such as Brazil and Argentina, even as competition and rules intensify in the developed markets of the US and Europe.

Bangalore-based life sciences company AVESTHAGEN has revived plans for an IPO and the company will raise approximately Rs 600-700 crores from the domestic and international markets.

The emerging markets are the final frontier for pretty much every industry. The huge untapped markets have lots of potential, and pharmaceutical companies have jumped in full tilt.