Sanofi strengthens India footprint, adds nearly 2,000 jobs in Hyderabad

French pharmaceutical major Sanofi will expand its global capability centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, increasing headcount to more than 4,500 employees as it strengthens its long-term presence in India.

The centre currently employs over 2,600 people. The expansion will be supported by what the company described as a “multi-hundred-million” investment, though it did not disclose the exact amount or a timeline for the hiring.

The move builds on Sanofi’s earlier commitment. In 2024, the company said it would invest 400 million euros (about $474.6 million) in its India GCC by the end of the decade, signalling a strategic shift towards scaling high-value operations in the country.

The additional roles will span research and development, artificial intelligence and data innovation, data analytics, medical affairs, commercial capabilities and corporate functions, Sanofi Healthcare India said in a statement.

Sanofi’s expansion comes amid a broader surge in multinational investment in India’s GCC ecosystem. These centres, once viewed primarily as low-cost back offices, have evolved into hubs supporting operations, finance, R&D and digital transformation.

India hosts more than 1,700 GCCs employing over 1.9 million professionals, according to real estate consultancy Anarock. The consultancy estimates the market could grow to between $105 billion and $110 billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of about 10%, with the number of centres potentially exceeding 2,400.

Hyderabad has emerged as a focal point for global life sciences and technology companies. The announcement precedes the city’s annual BioAsia conference on February 17 and 18, where executives from global drugmakers including Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Merck and Sanofi are expected to discuss research expansion and India’s pharmaceutical growth outlook.

For Sanofi, the Hyderabad centre is positioned as a key pillar in its global operations strategy, supporting innovation, digital capabilities and enterprise functions. The scale-up underscores India’s growing role not only as a manufacturing base but also as a centre for advanced research and technology talent.

As global pharmaceutical companies rebalance supply chains and invest in digital capabilities, India’s expanding GCC ecosystem is likely to remain central to their long-term growth strategies.