Amgen opens new technology & innovation site in Hyderabad, to invest $200 million

US drug major Amgen

US drug major Amgen on Monday announced the opening of its new technology and innovation site in Hyderabad. The company said it plans to invest $200 million through 2025, with additional sustained investments planned over the coming years.

The site is expected to accelerate Amgen’s digital capabilities through artificial intelligence and data science to further advance its pipeline of medicines, while creating significant opportunities for local talent.

"The opening of Amgen India marks a significant milestone in our endeavour to leverage technology across our global network to better serve patients,” Robert A. Bradway, CEO of Amgen said.

Amgen roped in Naveen Gullapalli in December last year as managing director of Amgen India, to head the Hyderabad centre. Gullapalli was previously with Novartis where he led the development of the Swiss pharma giant's global centre in Hyderabad and helmed their network of six centres across the world.

"Amgen India employees will bring bold, innovative thinking to help shape the future of global biotechnology from India,” Gullapalli.

Som Chattopadhyay, national executive for India at Amgen said the Hyderabad site will contribute to the dynamic global biotech ecosystem from India and welcome the incredible talent pool the country offers.

Amgen has nearly 28,000 employees globally and a presence in approximately 100 countries and regions worldwide.

Multinational pharma and medtech companies are setting up GCCs in India to take advantage of talent, especially in technology domain to support their global operations as well as building AI tools to optimise manufacturing operations finding drug discovery targets, simulating clinical trials among others.

Early this month, British-Swedish drug maker AstraZeneca said it plans to invest Rs 250 crore to grow its Global Innovation and Technology Centre in Chennai, bringing some 1,300 highly skilled roles by 2025. Eli Lily announced plans last month announced to open GCC in Hyderabad with plans to hire 1,000 to 1,500 highly skilled professionals. Novartis was early entrant to India, the Swiss pharma company employs more than 8,100 associates in India, of which lion share work at its GCC in Hyderabad.

Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Bayer, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Medtronic, Siemens Healthineers, GE Healthcare, among others have established GCCs in India.