Hyderabad continues to strengthen its reputation as a global destination for life sciences and pharmaceutical innovation, with Switzerland-based biopharmaceutical major Lonza Group AG announcing plans to establish a new Global Capability Centre (GCC) in the city. The move is expected to further boost Telangana’s rapidly growing life sciences ecosystem and create high-value employment opportunities in the coming years.
A senior delegation from the company recently met Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for Industries and IT, and Shakthi M Nagappan in Hyderabad to formally convey the company’s decision to set up the new centre. Officials from Telangana Lifesciences also participated in the discussions, which focused on collaboration and the implementation roadmap for the proposed facility.
Strategic Expansion into India
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Lonza is one of the world’s leading contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs), providing services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nutrition companies. Founded in 1897, the company has grown into a global powerhouse in the life sciences sector, operating across more than 30 sites worldwide and employing nearly 20,000 professionals.
According to the company’s latest financial results, Lonza reported sales of CHF 6.5 billion in 2025, with a Core EBITDA of CHF 2.1 billion, reflecting its strong position in the global biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The establishment of a GCC in Hyderabad marks a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy and reflects growing confidence among multinational companies in India’s talent and innovation ecosystem.
Industry observers note that GCCs have increasingly become a preferred model for global corporations seeking to leverage India’s skilled workforce in areas such as research, digital transformation, analytics, supply chain management and advanced scientific services.
Why Hyderabad Was Chosen
The decision to set up the GCC in Hyderabad followed an extensive evaluation process by the company. Several global locations were assessed before Hyderabad was ultimately identified as the most suitable destination.
Company representatives highlighted the city’s highly skilled talent pool, robust infrastructure, strong research ecosystem and supportive government policies as the key factors behind the decision.
Hyderabad has rapidly emerged as a major global hub for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and vaccine manufacturing. The city hosts some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies and is home to prominent research clusters such as Genome Valley, which houses multiple multinational life sciences firms and research institutions.
Experts say the presence of world-class universities, research centres and an established pharmaceutical supply chain ecosystem gives Hyderabad a distinct advantage in attracting global life sciences investments.
Boost to Telangana’s Life Sciences Ecosystem
Welcoming the development, Industries Minister Sridhar Babu said Lonza’s decision further reinforces Telangana’s growing stature as a global destination for innovation-driven investments.
He noted that the proposed Global Capability Centre has the potential to generate a substantial number of high-value jobs for skilled professionals in the state over the coming years.
“Lonza’s investment further strengthens Telangana’s position as a preferred destination for innovation-led growth in the global biopharmaceutical industry. We are delighted that the new centre is expected to create significant employment opportunities for our citizens. The government remains committed to supporting initiatives that drive economic growth and job creation,” the minister said.
The Telangana government has been actively promoting the state as a leading hub for life sciences, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Several policy initiatives and infrastructure projects have been introduced in recent years to attract global companies and foster innovation.
Strengthening Global Collaboration
Shakthi M Nagappan, CEO of Telangana Lifesciences, described the announcement as another major milestone in the state’s expanding life sciences sector.
“This decision marks an important step in the continued growth of Telangana’s life sciences ecosystem. We look forward to working closely with Lonza to ensure the successful execution of this project and to create long-term value through collaboration and innovation,” he said.
He added that the new GCC would play an important role in integrating Hyderabad more deeply into the global biopharmaceutical value chain, enabling companies operating in the region to collaborate with international partners and access advanced research capabilities.
High-Value Jobs and Innovation
The upcoming centre is expected to focus on a range of high-end functions, potentially including research support, digital transformation, data analytics, regulatory services and advanced scientific capabilities for Lonza’s global operations.
Industry analysts believe the facility will create high-skilled employment opportunities for professionals in fields such as biotechnology, data science, engineering and pharmaceutical research.
The project is also expected to strengthen Hyderabad’s reputation as one of Asia’s fastest-growing life sciences clusters, attracting further investments from global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
A Growing Global Life Sciences Hub
Over the past decade, Hyderabad has attracted significant investments from global pharmaceutical giants, contract research organisations and biotechnology startups. The city’s combination of policy support, infrastructure, skilled workforce and industry ecosystem has made it a preferred destination for life sciences companies seeking to expand their global footprint.
With the addition of Lonza’s Global Capability Centre, Telangana is poised to further consolidate its position as a key player in the global biopharmaceutical industry.
As multinational companies continue to invest in advanced research and manufacturing capabilities in the state, Hyderabad’s emergence as a global hub for life sciences innovation appears set to accelerate in the years ahead.