February 2025 – At Pre-BioAsia 2025, Healthark unveiled its latest whitepaper, LSHC GCC Outlook 2025, offering an in-depth analysis of India’s rapidly expanding Life Sciences and Healthcare (LSHC) Global Capability Centers (GCCs). The report highlights how India is solidifying its position as a global hub for healthcare innovation, with the sector projected to surpass 2,500 centers and employ over
4.5 million professionals by 2025, exceeding $100 billion in value by 2030.
The rise of LSHC GCCs in India is driven by the country’s vast technology talent pool, cost efficiencies, and a dynamic business environment fostering research, innovation, and operational excellence. Key trends fueling this momentum include the increasing adoption of provider-assisted and Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) frameworks—now accounting for nearly 90% of new GCC setups—reflecting a growing preference for agile, flexible operations. Between 2021 and 2024, 48% of GCCs in India adopted a provider-assisted service model, a trend set to accelerate as companies seek operational scalability and specialized talent pools.
Hyderabad, in particular, is emerging as a key hub for GCCs, benefiting from strong government support and a thriving life sciences ecosystem. The city, along with Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune, contributes nearly 75% of the total talent for LSHC GCCs in India. Hyderabad alone has witnessed strong leasing momentum, with GCCs securing 24.8 million sq ft (MSF) of commercial space in 2024—almost tripling from 9.1 MSF in 2022—raising their share in overall commercial leasing from 13% in 2022 to 28% in 2024.
Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of Telangana’s IT and Industries & Commerce Departments, remarked, “GCCs have become a key driver of economic growth, creating opportunities for startups through pilots, proof-of-concept (PoC) projects, and work orders. Hyderabad is emerging as a major hub for global capability centers of leading firms, especially with 800 GCCs expected across India. The city already hosts 110+ Forbes Global 2000 GCCs, employing 190,000+ professionals, supported by strong government initiatives such as Genome Valley, Pharma City, and the Telangana AI Mission (T- AIM). These initiatives are positioning Hyderabad as a powerhouse for life sciences innovation.”
The whitepaper also highlights how government policies are fostering a conducive environment for life sciences manufacturing and R&D, further accelerating India’s leadership in global healthcare operations.
Shakthi M. Nagappan, Director of Life Sciences and Pharma for the Government of Telangana, emphasized, “Innovation and digital transformation within the life sciences sector are very crucial. Government policies are creating an environment conducive to both life sciences manufacturing and R&D. With India’s AI and big data analytics talent pool projected to reach ~633,000 professionals by 2025 and the country aiming for 30 million digitally skilled professionals by 2026, Telangana is taking a leadership role in AI-driven drug discovery, genomics, and real-world evidence (RWE) analytics. Additionally, 43% of the workforce in LSHC GCCs is now dedicated to core healthcare and R&D functions, solidifying India’s role as a global life sciences hub.”
Global pharmaceutical and healthcare companies are leveraging these centers for critical functions, including drug discovery, clinical trials, regulatory support, and data-driven healthcare insights. According to research, the number of Forbes Global 2000 companies with GCCs in India is expected to grow by 44%, from 450+ in 2024 to 650+ by 2030, reinforcing India’s status as a preferred destination for global healthcare operations.
“LSHC companies like BMS, Novartis, Evernorth, Sanofi, and others are increasingly establishing their GCCs in India to drive innovation, efficiency, and digital transformation”, noted Sudeep Krishna, Co- Founder & President, Healthark. “These centers serve as R&D and innovation hubs, focusing on drug discovery, clinical trials, and real-world evidence (RWE) analytics, while also supporting regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, and compliance operations. The number of LSHC GCCs in India is set to increase from 100 in 2024 to over 160 by 2030, with workforce projections reaching 420,000+ professionals. AI and automation adoption is accelerating, with over 70% of small molecule chemistry projects in Indian GCCs already leveraging AI for drug discovery. These centers are also integrating advanced analytics, digital therapeutics, and AI-powered regulatory compliance automation, making India a critical innovation hub for global pharma and medtech firms.”
The future of LSHC GCCs in India is shifting towards compact and agile setups, with a strong push from pharmaceutical, medtech, and biotech companies. By 2030, over 60% of new GCCs are expected to be hybrid or fully digital-first, leveraging AI, automation, and cloud-based solutions for global operations. These shifts are positioning India as a key hub for AI-driven drug discovery, personalized medicine, and regulatory compliance automation, further attracting global investments.
Reflecting on the findings, Dr. Purav Gandhi, Founder and CEO of Healthark, stated, “India’s LSHC GCC landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift, driven by a confluence of technological advancements and strategic collaborations. As global healthcare organizations continue to recognize India’s unique capabilities, we anticipate sustained investment in next-generation talent and innovation frameworks. Between 2021 and 2024, nearly 81% of GCCs in India prioritized regulatory compliance, particularly in transfer pricing, cybersecurity, and global health authority interactions. Cost efficiencies remain a key factor, with healthcare companies spending 30-50% more in their home countries compared to operations in India. The sector’s rapid expansion, combined with the rise of compact GCCs specializing in AI diagnostics, health informatics, and genomics, is set to redefine India’s leadership in global healthcare operations.”
The LSHC GCC Outlook 2025 report provides a comprehensive analysis of India’s evolving healthcare GCC landscape, outlining key trends, opportunities, and future growth drivers.
For further details on the report, visit Healthark [https://healtharkinsights.com/report/life-sciences- and-healthcare-gccs-in-india-2025-outlook-and-road-ahead/]