Karnataka strengthens strategic partnership with Takeda to accelerate life sciences innovation and Global Capability Centre growth

The Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology (ITBT), Government of Karnataka, today hosted a senior leadership delegation from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited to explore opportunities for expanding the company's Global Capability Centre (GCC) operations in Bengaluru and deepening collaboration with Karnataka's world-class life sciences and innovation ecosystem.

The high-level meeting was chaired by Dr. Manjula N, IAS, Secretary, Department of ITBT & S&T, and attended by Dr. Avinash Menon Rajendran, IAS, Director, Department of ITBT, alongside senior officials from the Department, representatives from the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC).

The Takeda delegation was led by Lauren Duprey, Chief Transformation Officer, and included Malti George, Head of Global Capability Management; Tuba Erduran Ertek, Head of HR – Global Data, Digital & Technology and Finance; Tilak Banerjee, Site Lead – India Global Capability Center; Reshma Suresh, Talent Acquisition Partner; and Nara Jayaraman, India Site Coordinator – Data, Digital & Technology.

The discussions focused on Karnataka's continued leadership as India's premier destination for Global Capability Centres and its growing role in enabling multinational organisations to transform GCCs into strategic centres for innovation, research and development, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and product engineering.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Manjula N, IAS, Secretary, Department of ITBT & S&T, Government of Karnataka, said:

"Karnataka has built a globally competitive ecosystem where Global Capability Centres are increasingly driving innovation, research, and digital transformation for enterprises across sectors. Our collaborative ecosystem, supported by strong policy frameworks, world-class talent, and leading research institutions, enables global companies like Takeda to accelerate innovation and create high-value capabilities from Bengaluru."

Takeda's Bengaluru Innovation Capability Center, the company's first innovation capability centre in Asia, plays a pivotal role in supporting its global operations through advanced capabilities in artificial intelligence-driven drug discovery, digital health technologies, data science, and research and development.

The interaction also highlighted opportunities for closer engagement with Karnataka's thriving biotechnology ecosystem, including partnerships in talent development, translational research, innovation programmes, and digital health initiatives through organisations such as C-CAMP and the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre.

The meeting underscores Karnataka's commitment to strengthening long-term partnerships with global innovation-led enterprises and reinforcing Bengaluru's position as one of the world's leading destinations for life sciences, biotechnology, healthcare technology, and Global Capability Centres.

As global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies continue to expand their innovation footprint, Karnataka remains focused on providing an enabling ecosystem that fosters research excellence, technological advancement, and sustainable economic growth through collaborative public-private partnerships.