Top 5 Small Cap Pharma Stocks in India You Should Know
This table ranks leading small cap pharmaceutical companies by market capitalization, including their current price, net profit, and valuation ratio to provide a snapshot of scale and profitability.
Source: Screener as of 14 Apr’25
Overview of Small Cap Pharma Stocks
This brief table compares small cap pharma companies on operational returns and stock performance over the last six months.
Company Name
| Market Cap (₹ Cr)
| ROCE (%)
| 6M Return (%)
|
SPARC
| 4,721.14
| 7.58
| -31.73
|
Unichem Labs.
| 4,019.11
| 14.47
| -23.5
|
Orchid Pharma
| 3,650.25
| 9.37
| -47.22
|
Sequent Scientific
| 3,433.64
| 0.44
| -30.14
|
RPG Life Sciences
| 3,413.57
| 34.65
| -27.03
|
Source: Screener
Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd (SPARC)
Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd (SPARC) operates as a biopharmaceutical firm focused on innovation-led drug discovery and development. It primarily engages in creating novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) and new chemical entities (NCEs). Despite its focus on R&D, the company has been facing financial challenges with recurring losses and high valuations relative to its book value.
This table summarizes the core financial and valuation indicators for SPARC as per the latest available data.
Metric
| Value
|
Market Capitalisation
| ₹4,721 crore
|
Revenue
| ₹61.1 crore
|
Net Profit
| -₹391 crore
|
Book Value Multiplier
| 37.8x
|
Promoter Holding
| 65.7%
|
Interest Coverage Ratio
| Low
|
Source: Screener
Highlights:
● Negative profitability despite revenue generation.
● High promoter holding at 65.7%.
● Stock trades significantly above its book value.
Unichem Laboratories Ltd
Unichem Laboratories Ltd is an Indian pharmaceutical company with a presence in domestic and international markets. The company manufactures active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations. While its revenue base is modest, its financial performance over the years has been underwhelming, with losses and poor return metrics.
This table provides an overview of Unichem Labs' key performance indicators.
Metric
| Value
|
Market Capitalisation
| ₹4,019 crore
|
Revenue
| ₹1,919 crore
|
Net Profit
| -₹37.6 crore
|
5-Year Sales Growth
| 7.64%
|
Return on Equity (3-Year Avg)
| -2.33%
|
Promoter Holding
| 70.2%
|
Source: Screener
Highlights:
● Weak sales growth over five years.
● Negative average return on equity.
● High promoter stake at 70.2%.
Sequent Scientific Ltd
Sequent Scientific Ltd operates in the animal healthcare space and is known for veterinary pharmaceutical products. The company has demonstrated profitability and steady revenue, although its interest coverage ratio remains a concern.
This table reflects Sequent Scientific’s financial summary based on the provided report.
Metric
| Value
|
Market Capitalisation
| ₹3,434 crore
|
Revenue
| ₹1,511 crore
|
Net Profit
| ₹23.2 crore
|
Book Value Multiplier
| 5.05x
|
Promoter Holding
| 52.6%
|
Interest Coverage Ratio
| Low
|
Source: Screener
Highlights:
● Consistent profitability.
● Moderate valuation relative to book value.
● Promoter holding at 52.6%.
RPG Life Sciences Ltd
RPG Life Sciences Ltd is engaged in pharmaceutical manufacturing and marketing across domestic and international markets. The company is financially sound, with a rising profit trend and strong promoter interest.
The table below outlines key financial metrics for RPG Life Sciences.
Metric
| Value
|
Market Capitalisation
| ₹3,414 crore
|
Revenue
| ₹637 crore
|
Net Profit
| ₹79.1 crore
|
Book Value Multiplier
| 9.00x
|
Promoter Holding
| 73.0%
|
Source: Screener
Highlights:
● Strong revenue-to-profit ratio.
● Promoter holding is one of the highest among peers.
● Trades at a higher multiple compared to book value.
Orchid Pharma Ltd
Orchid Pharma Ltd operates in the antibiotics and critical care segment. It has posted profits recently, but concerns remain regarding dividend payouts and valuation. Despite the profit track, the company has yet to distribute dividends.
The following table displays Orchid Pharma’s current financial position.
Metric
| Value
|
Market Capitalisation
| ₹3,650 crore
|
Revenue
| ₹902 crore
|
Net Profit
| ₹110 crore
|
Book Value Multiplier
| 2.98x
|
Promoter Holding
| 69.8%
|
Dividend Status
| No dividends paid
|
Source: Screener
Highlights:
● Maintains profitability.
● No dividend payout despite earnings.
● Reasonable valuation vs. peers.
How to Invest in Small Cap Pharma Stocks?
To invest in small-cap pharma stocks effectively:
● Open a Demat Account: Use a demat account for streamlined investment management.
● Research and Analysis: Evaluate companies based on their R&D pipeline, financial health, and market position.
● Diversification: Spread investments across multiple stocks to mitigate risk.
● Stay Informed: Monitor industry trends and upcoming IPOs for potential opportunities.
● Use Investment Tools: Utilize a brokerage calculator to assess profitability and potential returns.
Conclusion
Investing in small-cap pharma stocks offers a compelling opportunity for growth-oriented investors. These stocks provide access to innovative healthcare solutions and can benefit from government initiatives aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing. However, they come with higher risks due to market volatility and regulatory challenges. Investors should conduct thorough research and consider diversifying their portfolios using tools like a brokerage calculator to assess profitability. Additionally, monitoring upcoming IPOs can provide insights into new investment opportunities.
Other Popular Stocks in India
Here are some other popular small-cap pharmaceutical companies in India:
● Windlas Biotech Ltd: Engages in contract development and manufacturing services (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical industry.
● Krsnaa Diagnostics Ltd: Provides diagnostic services with a wide network across India.
● Tarsons Products Ltd: Manufactures laboratory plasticware used in pharmaceutical and research laboratories.
● Anuh Pharma Ltd: Produces APIs and has a presence in both domestic and international markets.
● Lincoln Pharmaceuticals Ltd: Offers a range of pharmaceutical products and has a growing export footprint.
Note: classification of these companies as small-cap is based on their market capitalization as data from Screener.