Global biopharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca has inaugurated a new ₹166 crore Global Hub in Bengaluru, focused on scaling AI-powered healthcare solutions across its global operations. This facility marks a key expansion in the company’s India footprint and reinforces its commitment to patient-centric innovation.
Strengthening India’s role in global R&D and digital health
The Bengaluru hub is designed to accommodate nearly 1,300 employees, including the creation of 400 new roles. It will play a critical role in supporting AstraZeneca’s research and development, global business services, information technology, and digital health transformation efforts. According to the company, this move is part of a broader strategic push to deliver 20 new medicines globally by 2030 through automated, scalable, and data-driven systems.
AstraZeneca’s India operations will now be supported by two major centres: the new Bengaluru Global Hub and the existing Global Innovation and Technology Centre (GITC) in Chennai, which recently received a ₹250 crore expansion. Together, these hubs are expected to bring the total workforce in India close to 4,000 employees.
Focus on AI, clinical trials, and sustainability
The new Bengaluru hub is set to drive advancements in AI-based clinical research, centralised data analytics, and digital innovation. The company said the facility will enhance efficiency in clinical trials, support global therapeutic programs, and accelerate the development of innovative treatments.
Jackie Crockford, Vice President of Global Business Services at AstraZeneca, noted that the Bengaluru investment represents a commitment to India’s talent ecosystem and the state of Karnataka. She highlighted that this move would further enable the company’s long-term vision of advancing global healthcare through data-led decision-making and patient-centric solutions.
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Magnus Nord, Vice President of Global Patient Safety BioPharma, added that the facility strengthens AstraZeneca’s R&D capabilities by tapping into India’s scientific and technical expertise, enabling faster and more efficient innovation pipelines.
Beyond innovation, the company has built the new hub with a focus on sustainability. The facility is designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification, is currently powered by 75% green energy, and features IoT-enabled systems for optimised energy use, along with wastewater recycling measures.
AstraZeneca’s latest expansion in India reflects a growing trend among global pharmaceutical companies to embed AI and data capabilities into their R&D and commercial operations—strengthening the country’s position as a strategic destination for healthtech innovation.
