AstraZeneca, a prominent global biopharmaceutical company fueled by scientific advancements, has revealed plans to expand its state-of-the-art Global Hub in Bangalore, thereby strengthening its presence in India. The new facility is expected to house around 1,300 employees, with 400 of these being newly created positions. This expansion will enhance the company’s capabilities in AI-driven innovation across multiple sectors, such as Research and Development, Global Business Services, IT, and Digital Health operations.
This announcement marks AstraZeneca’s second significant investment in India in just one year, following the growth of its Global Innovation and Technology Centre (GITC) located in Chennai. With this expansion, the workforce at AstraZeneca India Private Limited (AZIPL) is set to approach 4,000 employees, enhancing the company’s ability to provide life-changing medications to patients across the globe.
“Our Global Hub in Bangalore is a strategic investment that will play a vital role in advancing AstraZeneca’s bold ambition to deliver 20 new medicines by 2030 — by strengthening automated, scalable, data-driven, and patient-centric solutions. This step reflects our commitment to tapping into the world-class talent and ecosystem available in Karnataka to power the next generation of scientific innovation. We are equally committed to decarbonize our operations and value chain, and the hub supports our net zero ambition”, said Jackie Crockford, Vice President, Global Business Services, AstraZeneca.
“This hub enhances our R&D capabilities by connecting us with India’s exceptional scientific and technological expertise. The expansion will accelerate the development of innovative medicines and help us deliver across R&D, ultimately benefitting patients around the world”, said Magnus Nord, Vice President, Global Patient Safety BioPharma, AstraZeneca.
The New Facility’s Purpose
The upcoming facility will function as a vibrant center focused on promoting AstraZeneca’s key objectives:
- Advanced clinical research that aligns with AstraZeneca’s worldwide therapeutic domains
- Development of AI-driven healthcare solutions and digital health technologies
- Centralized data analytics aimed at improving clinical trial efficiency and enhancing patient outcomes
- Specialized support for global regulatory compliance and pharmacovigilance
The Karnataka government has welcomed the expansion as a validation of the state’s position as a global innovation hub. “AstraZeneca’s investment reaffirms India’s leadership in science, technology, and healthcare, and is a testament to Karnataka’s robust life sciences ecosystem. This expansion aligns perfectly with our vision to create high-value employment opportunities while fostering innovation in critical sectors, making Bangalore a global hub for biotechnology and R&D,” said Honorable Minister Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka.
The Global Hub in Bangalore reflects AstraZeneca’s dedication to environmental sustainability and every aspect of this facility has been carefully planned to make a meaningful progress towards a healthier planet. The hub is designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification and is currently powered by 75% green energy. It implements full waste-water recycling, IoT-enabled systems for optimized energy management and much more.
