The Evolving Role of Generics: Lessons from Chlorpyrifos
10 December 2025 Chlorpyrifos has undergone dramatic changes in its market trajectory, from a blockbuster proprietary molecule to a globally traded generic active ingredient.
AgriBusiness Global spoke with Ram Seethapathi, President and CEO America of Gharda Chemicals, one of the pioneering generic producers of chlorpyrifos technical and formulated products to learn about this generic’s journey in the marketplace.
ABG: How did the patent expiration of chlorpyrifos change the competitive landscape for agrochemicals, particularly in terms of pricing and market access for regional producers versus multinationals?
Ram Seethapathi: Chlorpyrifos is a very old compound—its patent expired more than four decades ago. Gharda was one of the first companies to manufacture chlorpyrifos technical and end-use products generically, using a novel alternative process developed by Dr. Gharda. Unlike the original Dow Elanco route, which relied on pyridine, our process used acetic acid as the starting raw material. This approach made manufacturing safer and more sustainable by avoiding the risks associated with handling pyridine.
As with any generic entry, it was initially a struggle to compete against the well-established brands of the major multinationals. Over time, however, our market development efforts and cost-effective production enabled us to offer competitively priced products to distributors globally, ultimately benefiting growers through lower costs per acre.
Competition has always been good for consumers. The price of chlorpyrifos technical, which once stood around $25 per kilogram, gradually dropped below $10 per kilogram as the product matured. Gharda’s high-quality product was steadily accepted in developed markets like the U.S., while adoption was even faster in other regions around the world.
ABG: What strategies have allowed generic companies to thrive where larger multinationals have faced challenges?
RS: Operationally, generic players tend to be more agile than larger corporations. Lower overhead, faster decision-making, and an ability to adapt quickly to changing market dynamics are key to our resilience and continued growth.
ABG: What lessons does the chlorpyrifos story offer about the role of generics in shaping global crop protection markets?
RS: Chlorpyrifos is among the most extensively studied molecules in crop protection. While controversies around its safety have persisted, continuous data generation and regulatory review have supported its continued use in many agricultural systems.
With R&D pipelines thinning and new molecule approvals becoming more complex and costly, defending existing products with sound science is critical. Educating the public on safety data and the scientific basis of regulatory decisions can help avoid emotional or non-scientific responses to crop protection issues.
Generics play a crucial role in ensuring affordability and access. Today, generics account for about 75% of the global crop protection market—and this share will continue to grow as more patents expire. In many developing economies, where access and affordability remain vital, maintaining confidence in well-studied generics like chlorpyrifos through ongoing data generation and transparent communication is essential.
ABG: Looking ahead, how do you see the role of generic companies evolving in global agriculture?
RS: The chlorpyrifos experience highlights the importance of continuous innovation within generics—through process improvements, data stewardship, and efficiency. Generic manufacturers must remain committed to quality, safety, and sustainability while ensuring growers continue to have access to cost-effective solutions. As regulatory pressures and input costs rise, that balance will define the next phase of the industry.
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