# Aragen bets big on complex drugs and IPO

> Indian contract manufacturer plans 500 kilolitres of new capacity and moves into antibody-drug conjugates, peptides and oligonucleotides.
- Title: Aragen bets big on complex drugs and IPO · The Economic Times
- Summary: Indian contract manufacturer plans 500 kilolitres of new capacity and moves into antibody-drug conjugates, peptides and oligonucleotides. Aragen is shifting…
- Keywords: aragen life sciences, contract research development manufactur, antibody-drug conjugates, peptides, oligonucleotides, cdmo capacity, initial public offering, india pharmaceutical, drug manufacturing, manni kantipudi, Aragen, bets
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/aragen-steps-up-investment-in-complex-drug-modalities-plans-500-kl-new-cdmo-capacity/articleshow/134374360.cms
- Author: Rica Bhattacharyya
- Published: 2026-09-20T18:50:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: aragen life sciences, contract research development manufactur, antibody-drug conjugates, peptides, oligonucleotides, cdmo capacity, initial public offering, india pharmaceutical, drug manufacturing, manni kantipudi
## Aragen chases complex drug manufacturing
Hyderabad-based contract manufacturer Aragen is investing heavily in antibody-drug conjugates, peptides, oligonucleotides and high-potent APIs to move up the drug development value chain.
## 500 kilolitres of new capacity planned
Aragen plans to add around 500 kilolitres of small-molecule CDMO capacity and is also investing in a biologics drug-product facility, including fill-finish operations.
## From molecules to finished medicines
CEO Manni Kantipudi says Aragen's long-term goal is to become a medicines company, moving beyond discovery into drug substance and drug product manufacturing for customers.

> Our long-term ambition is to move from being a molecules company to becoming a medicines company.
## ADCs become strategic priority
Aragen is developing its own intellectual property around antibody-drug conjugate conjugation, including linker libraries, leveraging its existing capabilities in antibodies, small molecules and high-potent drugs.

> ADCs are another important opportunity because we have capabilities in antibodies, small molecules and high-potent drugs.
## Peptides and oligonucleotides expansion
Aragen plans to move its large peptide discovery team into manufacturing, starting with clinical-scale production and potentially scaling to commercial levels. Oligonucleotides are another focus area.

> In peptides, we believe we have one of the largest peptide teams in India at the discovery level.
## IPO filed as growth accelerates
Aragen recently filed its draft prospectus with India's securities regulator for an initial public offering, as the company grows 18% year-on-year while reducing headcount through technology gains.
## Key takeaway

Aragen is shifting from making molecules for others to manufacturing finished medicines, betting that Indian CDMOs can capture work moving away from China.