AstraZeneca To Invest Rs 250 Cr In Chennai Expansion

BW Online Bureau Jul 09, 2024

This expansion will create approximately 1,300 highly skilled roles by 2025, aimed at driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and streamlining operations globally

AstraZeneca India (AZIPL), the Global Capability Centre (GCC) of AstraZeneca, has announced an investment of Rs 250 crore (USD 30 million) to expand its Global Innovation and Technology Centre (GITC) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the company said that this expansion will create approximately 1,300 highly skilled roles by 2025, aimed at driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and streamlining operations globally.

The inauguration ceremony for the expanded facility was officiated by T.R.B. Rajaa, the Honourable Minister of Industries Tamil Nadu, Christina Scott CMG, the British Deputy High Commissioner to India, and Sylvia Varela, AstraZeneca Vice President for Asia Area, along with AstraZeneca’s leadership team in India.

Sanjeev Panchal, Managing Director & Country President of AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited (AZPIL), stated, "Our expansion in Chennai signifies AstraZeneca’s unwavering commitment to pioneering science and innovation. India’s rich talent pool and dynamic ecosystem for digital advancements make it a pivotal hub for our global operations. This strategic investment underscores our dedication to improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge technology."

Thiru. MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, remarked, "Technology is the driving force behind innovation and we are committed to making Tamil Nadu an epicentre of technology and research. This collaboration with AstraZeneca aligns perfectly with our vision to foster innovation and create high-value opportunities for the people of Tamil Nadu."

T.R.B. Rajaa, Industries Minister of Tamil Nadu, added, “AstraZeneca’s decision to further expand their facility in Chennai reinforces their faith and commitment to Tamil Nadu’s unmatched talent pool and business ecosystem. This investment will enhance our state's capabilities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, spur technological advancements, and drive economic development."

Since its inception, the GITC in Chennai has evolved from providing traditional IT services to becoming a pivotal part of AstraZeneca’s digital journey, driving productivity, simplification, technology delivery, and innovation across the company’s global operations. The facility currently occupies 334,000 square feet of office space at Ramanujan IT City, with plans to add approximately 180,000 square feet over the next six months, creating AstraZeneca’s largest global capability centre, the company stated.