AstraZeneca India Private Limited (AZIPL), the GCC of the global pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca PLC from the United Kingdom and Sweden, has committed INR 250 crore (USD 30 million) to augment the GITC in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This is a strategic move that is intended to advance innovation, operation efficiency, and globalization.
Expansion of Campus
The existing GITC spans 3.34 lakh sq ft of office space in Prime business locations. With the new investment, AstraZeneca will create a new 1.8 lakh sq ft in the next six months and employ around 1,300 employees. This expansion has put the Chennai facility as the largest capability center for AstraZeneca worldwide. The new addition to the campus will focus on the industries of the future, such as Enterprise Platforms, AI, ML, Data Science, and Supply Chain Analytics for Healthcare.
Inauguration and Patient-Centric Approach
AstraZeneca’s vision is to introduce the best of the technology and innovation in healthcare. The GITC has a vital role in the distribution of vital medicines to patients across the globe. The upgraded facility was commissioned by the State Industries Minister TRB Rajaa, accompanied by British Deputy High Commissioner to India Christina Scott CMG and the AstraZeneca Vice President for Asia Area Sylvia Varela among others.
AstraZeneca’s Global Operations
AstraZeneca is a global pharma business and its operations are a key function for every medicine produced from the research lab to the patient. AstraZeneca is present in 16 countries and has 26 manufacturing sites around the world. This vast network enables them to group and direct their activities to ensure a uniform approach globally.
It is noteworthy to say that Lean principles, Innovation, and Digital technology are employed at AstraZeneca to enhance operational improvements. These organizations translate scientific discoveries into new treatment options for patients. Sustainability is also another priority for AstraZeneca, where the firm aims to reach a Carbon Zero by 2025 and Carbon Negative across the value chain by 2030. Operations is the second-largest division within AstraZeneca, with approximately 14,000 employees or 20% of the company’s staff globally. It’s an institution where people with focus and work ethic can make a difference in local and global societies.
AstraZeneca’s focus on therapeutic areas
The ambition of AstraZeneca for cancer is to advance the science of treatment and change the lives of patients. This area focuses on the relationship between metabolism, heart failure, arterial vascular disease, and renal disease. It remains a strategic area of concern for AstraZeneca. With a focus on respiratory, AstraZeneca has key developments in asthma, COPD, IPF, and chronic cough. Their goal is to create revolutionary forms of vaccines and antibodies that would offer lasting protection in regions where diseases are rampant. At AstraZeneca, it is our vision to change the lives of those affected by rare diseases employing research and development of new treatments, as well as raising awareness.
Conclusion
The investment demonstrates AstraZeneca’s mission for improving healthcare through technology and highlights Chennai’s increasing role as a strategic location for innovation and pharmaceuticals. As per their robust pipeline, they are currently working on 182 projects out of which 19 NMETS are in the late stage and 2 are under review.
Image Source: Express Pharma
