Anuj Batra
New Delhi, August 5, 2025 — In a major boost to India’s health-tech ecosystem, Eli Lilly and Company has inaugurated a 220,000 square foot global digital innovation centre in Hyderabad. This state-of-the-art facility — located in Gachibowli’s Phoenix Equinox campus — is designed to house 1,500 tech professionals working on AI, cloud computing, automation, and advanced drug analytics.
The centre marks Lilly’s largest global technology investment and reflects the company’s commitment to India’s growing role in global pharmaceutical innovation.
Fusion of Technology and Drug Discovery
The facility currently employs around 100 professionals, with plans to scale up to full capacity by 2026. The goal is to integrate cutting-edge technologies like AI-enabled drug discovery, real-time clinical data analysis, and digital therapeutics into Lilly’s global operations.
According to Diogo Rau, Lilly’s Chief Information & Digital Officer, “This innovation centre will fast-track our R&D across the globe by combining Indian tech expertise with our scientific vision.”
Hyderabad Emerges as a Global Health-Tech Hub
The launch cements Hyderabad’s reputation as a prime destination for digital health investments. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy hailed the development, saying it “reinforces Telangana’s leadership in pharma and life sciences.” State IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu assured continued government support for similar high-impact investments.
This move follows the Telangana government’s strategy to attract global giants to its Genome Valley and Life Sciences Hub, already home to firms like Novartis and Sanofi.
Job Creation and Local Upskilling
The centre will create career opportunities in bioinformatics, data engineering, and clinical tech analytics. The facility is expected to hire professionals with expertise in AI/ML, cybersecurity, and clinical informatics.
In line with Startup India and Digital Health India missions, this move empowers India to become a leading digital pharma partner globally.
Policy Alignment and Strategic Impact
This initiative supports the Indian government’s Pharma Vision 2025 and National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). The digital push will allow real-time tracking of drug safety, speedier clinical trials, and better post-market surveillance.
It also complements the country’s drive to become a preferred destination for global drug trials and R&D under CDSCO and ICMR frameworks.
Global Pharma Vision
Once fully operational, the Hyderabad hub will serve as a nerve centre for Lilly’s global R&D, accelerating the discovery of treatments in oncology, immunology, and chronic diseases.
Lilly’s presence reinforces India’s status not only as the “pharmacy of the world,” but also a rising digital pharma leader.
