Novo Nordisk Global Business Services (GBS) is exploring opportunities to expand India’s role as a comprehensive research hub, potentially covering front-end clinical modelling and early-stage R&D, according to John Dawber, Corporate Vice-President and Managing Director, Novo Nordisk GBS. While discussions with senior leadership in Denmark are ongoing, Dawber emphasised that any expansion into these areas is still at an exploratory stage.
Bengaluru GCC: From Modest Beginnings to Strategic Hub
The Bengaluru Global Capability Centre (GCC), Novo Nordisk’s largest worldwide, has grown from a small team of 200–300 employees 17 years ago to approximately 4,000 today. This growth underscores India’s increasing strategic importance in the Danish drugmaker’s global operations. For perspective, the company’s Mexico City centre employs around 150 people.
Consolidated R&D and Commercial Functions
Dawber highlighted that the Bengaluru GCC already houses a wide spectrum of R&D and commercial functions, including:
*Research and early development
*Medical writing
*Safety and regulatory affairs
*Marketing, pricing, and market access
Analytics and data science
Teams in India now support Novo Nordisk’s entire global portfolio, contributing to both local launches and major international markets, such as the US. “It’s fair to say that no new medicine anywhere in the world today exists without being touched here in Bengaluru,” Dawber noted. Nearly every recent launch has received input from India-based teams across research, development, and commercial functions.
Expanded Scope Beyond Diabetes
As Novo Nordisk’s business has evolved from a diabetes-focused organisation to a broader portfolio spanning metabolism, obesity, rare diseases, and cardiovascular therapies, India’s role within the company has expanded accordingly. Initially driven by cost advantages, the rationale for scaling operations in India has shifted toward access to talent and scalable expertise. Dawber added, however, that while the centre will continue to take on more complex work, headcount growth is expected to moderate from 2026 onward, compared with rapid expansion over the past three years.
Driving Complex Work with Technology
“We’ve reached a critical mass across about 17 different functions,” Dawber said. “Going forward, we plan to handle more complex work but with roughly the same number of people, leveraging technology, AI, and generative AI to optimise delivery.”
India as a Testbed for Digital Health
Separately, Dawber highlighted India’s growing role as a testing ground for digital health, telehealth, and patient support models. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the Bengaluru centre collaborates with large-scale Indian health app companies, allowing the organisation to rapidly pilot and refine innovative solutions. Successful models developed in India can then be replicated in other global markets, reinforcing the country’s strategic significance in Novo Nordisk’s global operations.
