Hyderabad: Accelerating the future of life sciences
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE, highlights Hyderabad’s growing role in reshaping global life sciences through integrated research, manufacturing, and strategic infrastructure
The global life sciences map is being redrawn. Forget the sole dominance of Boston, Cambridge, and the Bay Area. A new force is emerging from India: Hyderabad. This isn’t just another manufacturing hub; it’s an ecosystem integrating scientific research with production capabilities. For leaders navigating the future of healthcare and biotech, understanding Hyderabad’s ascent is no longer optional – it’s a strategic imperative.
Hyderabad’s growth trajectory presents a notable case study in ecosystem development with global ramifications. While breakthrough science often grabs headlines, the real-world impact hinges on scalable production and access. This is where Hyderabad’s strategic significance becomes clear, offering a lever for global health security and supply chain resilience.
Consider the balance of the global pharmaceutical and vaccine supply chain. Translating scientific breakthroughs into treatments demands manufacturing. Hyderabad is becoming a hub in this process. Its value proposition goes beyond cost efficiencies; it’s about a structured environment where manufacturing converges with scientific expertise. The fact that this single city accounts for roughly one-third of India’s pharmaceutical output and a similar proportion of global vaccine production underscores its role in global health.
This prominence isn’t accidental. It’s the outcome of a long-term strategy spearheaded by government policies. Policies such as the Life Sciences Policy 2023–2028, coupled with infrastructure investments like Genome Valley and Hyderabad Pharma City, have cultivated ground for growth and research. This has attracted ongoing international investment, as global players recognise not only the available talent pool but also the advancing scientific and research base.
Genome Valley is more than an industrial park. It’s a nexus where research institutions, manufacturing facilities adhering to global standards, and a startup landscape – supported by India’s concentrated life sciences incubators – converge. The co-location of R&D centres of pharmaceutical companies alongside this startup culture signals a strategic evolution beyond manufacturing towards an innovation value chain, encompassing drug discovery, clinical research, and commercialisation.
The recent surge in commercial real estate leasing by life sciences firms across India, with Hyderabad leading, signifies more than increased operational space. It reflects a strategic ambition, a firming of the ecosystem’s roots, and recognition of the potential this hub offers the international life sciences community. This growth, fuelled by increasing FDI, expanded manufacturing, a skilled and cost-effective workforce, and a focus on R&D, presents opportunities for alliances, partnerships, and investment for businesses seeking to strengthen their position in this sector.
Looking beyond immediate financial metrics, Hyderabad’s story is one of resilience, strategic foresight, and determination to support global healthcare needs. While other hubs may receive more attention for scientific breakthroughs, Hyderabad is evolving into the partner capable of translating those discoveries into scaled solutions accessible worldwide. The concentration of over 200 biotech and pharmaceutical companies within Genome Valley illustrates this active synergy between innovation and execution.
The global life sciences landscape demands both innovation and delivery. Hyderabad is positioning itself in terms of efficiency, with a trajectory towards greater involvement in research. This evolution necessitates a reassessment of global life sciences strategies and investment priorities. Hyderabad’s ongoing changes are reshaping the perception of established hubs, showing that impact isn’t always about the most publicised announcements, but about commitment to scale, quality, and accessibility at the international level.
As India’s life sciences narrative continues, Hyderabad will remain a chapter. It offers opportunities for investment, partnerships, and growth as it continues to define its role in shaping the future of healthcare and biotech. Ignoring this evolution is not just a missed opportunity; it’s a strategic oversight in a changing world.
