“India has the talent and ambition to lead globally in advanced therapies, biologics, and oncology”

What are the key highlights of the new Customer Experience Center & the Bioprocess Design Center that were developed in Hyderabad?

Our Customer Experience Centre (CEC) is a collaborative hub offering access to cutting-edge technologies, comprehensive workforce skilling programmes, and strong partnering opportunities designed to fuel growth with our customers. The state-of-the-art facility showcases advanced instrumentation and workflow solutions across diverse applications, supported by a dedicated team of subject matter experts. It empowers researchers with advanced scientific solutions and enables scientists to access technologies in analytical sciences, life sciences, proteomics, bioprocessing, healthcare, clean energy, and semiconductors. The CEC will also support applications in CAR T-cell therapy, gene therapy, and mRNA research, areas where India is beginning to make notable progress.

The Bioprocess Design Centre (BDC), developed in collaboration with the Government of Telangana, will empower the development and scale-up of life-changing therapies by providing advanced bioprocessing solutions, process scale-up expertise, and trusted scientific support. It will allow rapid prototyping and scale-up of biologics manufacturing using single-use systems to accelerate therapy development. The centre will also provide hands-on training for process engineers, biotechnologists, and quality specialists in advanced techniques such as cell culture, purification, and formulation, helping to close the expertise gap. In addition, customers will benefit from method development, process optimisation, scale-up support, and consultation provided by subject matter experts.

What are the key challenges that are being addressed through these new facilities?

Many startups and academic institutes require additional support for advanced technologies.  These centres help bridge that gap, enabling researchers to access advanced technologies in analytical sciences, life sciences, proteomics, bioprocessing, healthcare, clean energy and semiconductors, supported by a dedicated team of subject matter experts. 

Second, to address the skill gap- India has one of the largest scientific talent pools globally characterised by a massive number of STEM graduates and rapidly expanding tech workforce, but access to cutting-edge technologies remains limited. Through hands-on programmes, including initiatives like the Bioverse Challenge, these centres will enhance the skills and capabilities of researchers in areas such as biologics, cell and gene therapy (CGT), and targeted drug therapies, preparing them for real world applications.

How much is being invested in these new Centres in partnership with the Telangana government?

It is too early to put a specific number or timeline to investment, our focus is on the impact these centres will deliver. A key part of this is giving researchers and manufacturers access to advanced technologies that they may not have within their own facilities.  These centres are designed to bridge critical gaps by providing access to state-of-the-art workflows, hands-on training, and expert consultation. By enabling rapid scale-up and supporting emerging areas like cell and gene therapy, they will help accelerate innovation and strengthen India’s scientific ecosystem.

What are the job opportunities being offered?

At this time, it is difficult to estimate the number of jobs that these specific facilities will create. The bigger opportunity lies in the number of professionals who will gain access to advanced training and equipment besides workflows. With India’s bioeconomy projected to grow at a CAGR of 12-15 per cent to reach $300 billion by 2030, demand for skilled professionals in biologics and advanced therapies will rise sharply.  These centres aim to prepare professional talent for that demand; who will gain hands-on experience with advanced biomanufacturing, integrated solutions, and research technologies. The training will equip them to contribute across biopharma, pharma, and industrial sectors. They will take new capabilities back to their companies, labs, or startups, fueling growth and innovation in India’s life sciences ecosystem.

Thermo Fisher operates across biopharma, pharmaceuticals, analytical sciences, healthcare, clinical diagnostics, food safety, renewable energy, and semiconductors. Biopharma is the largest segment, accounting for over half of the company’s customer base and growth. Our comprehensive portfolio of scientific services spans research, development, testing, and manufacturing.

Are you planning to launch new products for the Indian market later this year or in 2026? 

We continue to evaluate opportunities to expand offerings in India. We have multiple new product launches lined up for 2026 across our businesses.  We also continue to localise solutions through our R&D centres in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. 

In fact, we recently inaugurated our expanded R&D Center of Excellence in Bengaluru with an investment of Rs 160 crore. The expanded 37,000 sq. ft. facility incorporates advanced automation and analytical platforms to support immunoassays, protein analysis, and cell-based studies. In the coming years, the expansion will create 100+ jobs, strengthening local talent development and contributing to Karnataka’s thriving life sciences ecosystem.

These initiatives reflect a strategy tailored to Indian needs, and that will support the growth of biopharma, pharma, and industrial sectors.

How is Thermo Fisher planning to strengthen its position in the future? 

Thermo Fisher has been in India for 35 years, steadily expanding its presence. Today it operates eight manufacturing units, two R&D centres, and global capability centres in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The focus now is on deeper customer engagement, investment in infrastructure, and close collaboration with India’s innovation ecosystem. The goal is ensuring scientific advancement, strong partnerships, and timely impact.

How do you view the growth of the Indian biopharma market in the coming years?

India’s biopharma sector is experiencing rapid growth. The bioeconomy has expanded from $10 billion in 2014 to $166 billion in 2024: projected target is $300 billion by 2030. 

What makes this especially exciting is not just the numbers, but where the growth is happening – in advanced therapies, biologics, and oncology. India has the talent and ambition to lead globally in these areas. Moving from generics to biologics is creating new opportunities for contract manufacturing and innovation, requiring clearer regulatory pathways. Thermo Fisher’s investments in Hyderabad are aligned to supporting this momentum.

Dr Manbeena Chawla

(manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com)