Growing number of lifesciences GCCs underscores India’s importance in R&D and clinical trials

India’s is now a key hub for lifesciences Global Capability Centers (GCCs). This according to multinational majors like Amgen, GSK, Eli Lily, Bayer, Mylan, AstraZeneca among others indicated that it underscores India’s importance in R&D and clinical trials. These GCCs in the lifesciences and healthcare segment are driving digital tech assignments, key business and corporate functions. Currently India is home to 36 lifesciences’ GCCs.

GCCs in India play a strategic role in fostering product innovation, driving technological advancements, and spearheading digital transformation initiatives. They are playing a pivotal role in drug discovery & development process, Big Data Analytics, post marketing covering pharmacovigilance, risk management and safe reporting.

The 14th edition of the prestigious Nasscom GCC Conclave held in Bengaluru from May 30 and 31 underscored the access to large pool of highly skilled professionals in medicine, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and related sciences. The conclave highlighted that the talent pool is attractive for multinational companies seeking to establish R&D centers or conduct clinical trials.

Noting that healthcare & life sciences GCCs are flourishing in India, ANSR, a business consulting company which works with multinationals to create their offshore capability centers in India noted that 85% of the total Healthcare & Life Sciences GCCs are established in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi/NCR. Over 15% of all GCC employees in India work in this sector. More than 55% of the total GCCs in this space are US-headquartered.

Going further ANSR, pointed out that 20% of Healthcare & Life Sciences GCCs have their centers in 3 or more cities. Bengaluru ranks first in terms across India, with 33% of these followed by Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Compared to many western countries, India offers a cost-effective environment for research and development activities. Lower operational costs allow companies to stretch their R&D budgets further. Also several strides are made in streamlining its regulatory processes, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Clearer regulations and faster approval processes make it easier for companies to conduct clinical trials and bring new drugs to market.

Added to this is the country’s large and diverse population providing an extensive patient pool for clinical trials. This diversity can be crucial for testing the efficacy and safety of new drugs across different genetic backgrounds and demographic groups. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, including research facilities and clinical trial centers, have improved India’s capability to conduct high-quality research and trials, said ANSR.

Another notable aspect is that the Union government initiatives and policies aimed at promoting the life sciences sector have further encouraged companies to establish GCCs in India. Incentives such as tax benefits and research grants attract both domestic and international investment.

The healthcare and life sciences industry is adopting digital technologies for research, development, and commercialization. Moreover GCCs in India are at the forefront of implementing digital solutions, including data analytics, AI, and machine learning, to accelerate drug discovery, clinical trials, and supply chain optimization.

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