Global science and technology major Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced a ₹160 crore investment to expand its Research and Development (R&D) Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The move aims to strengthen innovation in antibody research, design, and manufacturing.
The newly expanded 37,000 sq. ft. facility, featuring advanced automation and analytical systems, was inaugurated by Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), in the presence of senior officials from KDEM, KEONICS, and the Karnataka Innovation & Technology Society (KITS). The company said the expansion will generate over 100 new jobs in the state in the coming years.
Karnataka IT & Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge said the development reaffirms the state’s leadership in biotechnology and life sciences.
“Through initiatives like the Karnataka Biotechnology Mission, we are nurturing innovation and collaboration across government, academia, and industry. Thermo Fisher’s expansion further enhances Karnataka’s role in advancing India’s biotechnology vision,” Kharge noted.
Gianluca Pettiti, Executive Vice President and Sector President, Life Sciences, Diagnostics and Applied Sector at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said the investment underlines the company’s deepening engagement with India’s innovation ecosystem.
“Bengaluru remains a strategic hub for us. By investing in local talent and R&D capabilities, we’re accelerating scientific progress to better serve our customers in India and across the world,” Pettiti said.
Over the last 18 years, Thermo Fisher’s Bengaluru centre has developed over 2,000 recombinant antibodies, supporting research in infectious diseases, cancer biology, and antiviral studies. The facility has validated more than 25,000 antibodies and manufactured over 2,000 primary and secondary antibodies for researchers globally.
Dr. Manjula N, a senior Karnataka government official, said such investments highlight the state’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced research and industry-academia collaboration.
“Centres like these play a key role in positioning Karnataka as a preferred destination for high-end R&D and manufacturing in the life sciences sector,” she said.
Manoj Prasad, Vice President, IT & Digital Solutions, APAC & MEA at Thermo Fisher Scientific, added that the expansion strengthens the company’s global innovation network.
“With this new infrastructure and skilled workforce, we aim to accelerate discovery and innovation across biotechnology, diagnostics, and academia,” he said.
Karnataka currently accounts for 10% of India’s pharmaceutical output and nearly 60% of its biotechnology revenues, with a bioeconomy valued at around USD 31 billion. The state hosts 221 formulation units, 74 bulk drug units, and 35 contract research organizations (CROs).
Thermo Fisher employs over 1,400 professionals in Bengaluru across R&D, software, and scientific operations. The company said the expansion also supports Karnataka’s Global Capability Center (GCC) vision, further solidifying the state’s position as a destination for high-value, research-driven innovation.
