Blue Jet Healthcare’s Journey from Family Business to Global CDMO

“Being in a CDMO business, we don’t just provide a service, but it’s more about building a partnership with our customers.” – Payal Gandhi

In the latest PharmarSource podcast episode, Payal Gandhi, Management Executive – Business Growth at Blue Jet Healthcare explains how the company transformation from a family-owned business to a publicly listed global CDMO since its IPO in 2023.

Today, Blue Jet Healthcare has positioned itself as a strategic partner in the pharmaceutical and healthcare arena, emphasizing their customer-first approach and technological capabilities that help bring innovations to life.

Differentiation Strategy

Blue Jet Healthcare has established a distinctive position in the CDMO market through vertical integration and specialised chemistry expertise. “There is nothing to sell but only to collaborate and develop,” Payal explains, highlighting their focus on contrast media intermediates, amino acid derivatives, custom peptide fragment synthesis, high-intensity sweeteners, and pharmaceutical intermediates.

Their key strength lies in vertical integration, manufacturing key starting materials in-house to ensure quality control, supply security, and cost efficiency. “Our scientists excel in stereoselective synthesis, chiral chemistry, and complex organic transformations to handle challenging intermediates,” she adds.

A recent example showcases their capabilities: “We developed and scaled an advanced pharmaceutical intermediate for an innovator company, moving from lab scale to setting up a dedicated commercial block from ground zero level in less than two years.”

Evolution Journey

Blue Jet’s transformation story illustrates the company’s adaptability and vision. Founded by the late Mr. B.L. Arora, who pioneered the manufacture of saccharin sodium in India, the company evolved significantly after Akshay Arora, Naresh Shah and Shivan Arora joined the leadership team.

“As the industry evolved, so did we. We expanded into specialised chemistry and high-purity intermediates to serve global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies,” Payal notes. “Our early investments in contrast media intermediates and high-intensity sweeteners positioned us to be a market leader.”

The company now operates across three manufacturing plants, including a US FDA-approved site, with a fourth in development. Their consistent investment in R&D and manufacturing facilities has driven their expansion into markets throughout the US, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific region.

Partnership Approach

When discussing how Blue Jet handles client partnerships, Payal emphasises their collaborative methodology. “Through RFQ, once it gets floated and taking it to a commercialisation stage, it’s all about execution, transparency, and trust.”

Their process begins with thoroughly understanding client requirements and providing customised solutions that address technical and regulatory needs. “A dedicated project execution team ensures smooth technology transfer, process optimisation, and pilot validation,” she explains.

Communication is streamlined through a system where “each department or functional head coordinates with the client’s head to have clear communication,” with leadership involvement ensuring a “proactive and solution-driven approach.”

Capacity Management

Blue Jet takes a strategic approach to balancing capacity between existing clients and new opportunities. “We take capacity management as a top priority for existing clients, ensuring uninterrupted supply with long-term commitments and dedicated production slots,” Payal states.

Their multipurpose manufacturing facilities provide flexibility to retrofit and scale up products as required. She illustrates this approach with an example: “During an early-stage discussion with a CDMO customer, we projected higher plant capacity, anticipating the scale that the innovative product would require. The customer wasn’t fully aligned at that time, but as we went ahead and invested in a scalable plant, today we are supplying at full capacity.”

Digital Integration

As pharmaceutical companies increasingly seek digital solutions, Blue Jet is making strategic investments in this area. “We are investing ourselves into automation, and all our new plants which are upcoming have DCS control for enhanced process control and improved efficiency,” Payal explains.

Their digital approach includes integrated secure platforms that provide clients with access to key regulatory and quality documentation. “This enables customers to track batches, review raw material and finished goods inventory, monitor production schedules, and oversee quality approvals,” she adds, acknowledging they are at the early stages of digital integration but looking forward to further developments.

Sustainability Initiatives

Environmental responsibility is central to Blue Jet’s operations. “ESG and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do,” Payal emphasises, pointing to their impressive renewable energy credentials: “We are proud that 75% of our energy comes from wind and solar energy, amongst the highest in the industry.”

The company also focuses on indigenous sourcing and backward integration to reduce their environmental footprint, along with investments in advanced effluent treatment and solvent recovery systems to maximise resource efficiency.

Future Vision

Looking ahead, Payal envisions Blue Jet continuing its trajectory as a strategic partner rather than simply a service provider. “Partnerships drive progress, and our success comes from empowering our clients,” she says.

Over the next three to five years, the company plans to invest in cutting-edge technologies, expand R&D and manufacturing capacities, and strengthen collaborations globally. “At Blue Jet Healthcare, we don’t see ourselves just as a CDMO, but as a strategic partner, helping pharma, healthcare, and biotech companies bring their innovations to life.”

Blue Jet Healthcare will be participating in CDMO Live in Rotterdam on May 7-8, 2025, where they will share more insights about their approach and capabilities.