Thermo Fisher Scientific expands Bengaluru R&D Hub with Rs 160 Crore investment to boost antibody innovation

New Delhi: Thermo Fisher Scientific’s expanded Research and Development (R&D) Centre of Excellence was officially inaugurated in Bengaluru on October 27, 2025 by Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, CEO, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM). This facility is committed to pioneering advances in antibody design, development, and manufacturing. It represents a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to accelerate innovation and scientific collaboration from India.

Dignitaries present at the inauguration included senior officials from Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, KEONICS, the Karnataka Innovation & Technology Society (KITS).

Also present at the inauguration were Gianluca Pettiti, Executive Vice President and Sector President, Life Sciences, Diagnostics and Applied Sector, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Srinath Venkatesh, Managing Director, India & South Asia, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Manoj Prasad, Vice President, IT & Digital Solutions, APAC & MEA, Thermo Fisher Scientific and other senior leaders from the company.

Thermo Fisher has invested over INR 160 crores in this expansion, reinforcing its long-term commitment to India’s research ecosystem. The expanded 37,000 sq. ft. facility incorporates advanced automation and analytical platforms to support immunoassays, protein analysis, and cell-based studies. In the coming years, the expansion will create 100+ jobs, strengthening local talent development and contributing to Karnataka’s thriving life sciences ecosystem.

Speaking about the occasion, Priyank Kharge, Minister for Electronics, IT & Bt and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka, said, “Karnataka has long positioned itself as a vibrant hub for biotechnology and life sciences. The expansion of Thermo Fisher’s facility is a testament to the state’s continued emphasis of this objective. Through our Karnataka Biotechnology Mission and aligned state policies, we are enabling innovation, nurturing talent, and facilitating collaboration between government, academia and industry. This facility strengthens the state’s capability to contribute meaningfully to India’s broader biotechnology vision.”

Gianluca Pettiti said, “We’re honored to deepen our partnership with the Government of Karnataka. Bengaluru is a strategic hub for Thermo Fisher, and this expansion reflects our long-term commitment to India’s innovation ecosystem. By investing in talent and capabilities here, we will accelerate scientific progress and better serve customers in India and around the world.”

With this expansion, Thermo Fisher’s Bengaluru Centre of Excellence continues to serve as a cornerstone of its global R&D network. Over the past 18 years, the facility has developed more than 2,000 high-quality recombinant antibodies that have contributed to advancements in infectious diseases, antiviral studies, and cancer biology. Its antibody validation program has tested over 25,000 antibodies, while manufacturing capabilities have produced more than 2,000 primary and secondary antibodies, ensuring quality and reproducibility for researchers worldwide.

Dr. Manjula N, commented, “This investment aligns well with the state Government’s vision to harness scientific innovation, enable industry-academia linkages, and develop talent for high-end research. Facilities like these catalyze Karnataka’s emergence as a preferred location for research and advanced manufacturing, and will help drive socio-economic growth in the life sciences domain.”

This expansion builds on Karnataka’s well-established biotechnology and pharmaceutical ecosystem. The state contributes more than 10% of India’s pharmaceutical revenues and around 60% of India’s biotechnology revenues, hosting over 221 formulation units, 74 bulk drug units, and 35 CROs. Its bioeconomy is valued at approximately USD 31 billion, showing annual growth of ~10.7%.

“This expansion reinforces our faith in India’s potential in becoming a leader for life-sciences innovation. Bengaluru continues to anchor our efforts in research, development and product innovation. With this new infrastructure and potential talent infusion, we can accelerate scientific discovery, strengthen our global network, and better support customers in biotech, diagnostics, academia and beyond,” Manoj Prasad added.