How GCCs in India are shaping the future of the Life Sciences industry

In brief

• Of the top 50 global Life Sciences companies, around 23 have set up Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India.
• Pharma GCCs handle more than 60% of enabling functions like finance, HR, supply chain, and IT for global firms. 
• These GCCs are working in tandem with main decision centers of companies, co-owning global pipelines and outcomes. 

Over the past five years, India has grown to become a global hub for Life Sciences Global Capability Centers (GCCs), with 23 of the world's top 50 Life Sciences companies now operating centers in the country. India's GCCs have evolved from providing back-office support functions to becoming strategic engines of innovation in pharma, driving end-to-end value creation in both core and enabling functions, contribution both to the global Life Sciences industry and the Indian pharmaceutical industry’s growth.

This report by EY India, ‘Reimagining Life Sciences Global Capability Centers,’ highlights how leading pharma GCCs are actively looking for opportunities to add extended value by directly targeting business outcomes. Rather than a support center, the GCCs are positioned as a “twin” of the “headquarters”, gaining a seat at the table, accelerating data-driven decisions and providing an environment to innovate. In addition, there is a renewed focus on leveraging the external ecosystem to mitigate risks, tap into extended capabilities, and innovate beyond boundaries—demonstrating the growing role of Pharmaceutical GCC innovation.

India’s strengths: Talent, policy and ecosystem

India’s rise as a global hub for pharmaceutical Global Capability Centers (GCCs) is not accidental. It is the result of policy foresight, unmatched healthcare talent availability and a mature ecosystem that together create the ideal foundation for innovation-driven healthcare operations and Pharmaceutical research.

Governments at both central and state levels have identified GCCs as powerful engines for digital exports and employment. Over the last few years, foreign investment norms have been relaxed, while states such as Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have rolled out targeted incentives, ranging from capital expenditure subsidies and rental reimbursements to skilling programs and land rebates. This policy push has provided global firms with both the confidence and the means to scale in India’s healthcare sector.

The talent advantage is a key factor. India has over 2.7 million professionals in the Life Sciences sector. Every year, another 2 million STEM graduates and more than 110,000 medical graduates enter the workforce. For global pharmaceutical firms looking to build GCCs that do not just execute tasks but co-create solutions, this talent pool offers a unique mix of scientific depth, digital fluency, and scale.

Beyond talent, the ecosystem surrounding Life Sciences is maturing fast. Access to global-quality contract research organizations (CROs), partnerships with leading academic institutions, and a thriving startup network—home to more than 100 unicorns—make India a fertile ground for experimentation and cross-industry collaboration in pharmaceutical research innovation. Add to this the availability of Grade-A commercial spaces across metros and Tier II/III cities, and the path to scalable, cost-efficient growth becomes clear.