GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals is the listed Indian subsidiary of GSK and sells prescription medicines and vaccines. It is headquartered at GSK House in Worli, Mumbai and makes medicines at its plant in Nashik.
Ownership and structure
GSK holds its India pharmaceuticals business through GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited, a listed Indian subsidiary in which the GSK promoter group owns 75 percent. The parent raised its holding from 50.7 percent to 75 percent through an open offer in 2014. GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited is listed on the NSE and BSE under the symbol GLAXO.
What India does for GSK
India is a branded medicines market for GSK, served by a listed subsidiary that makes products at its Nashik plant and through contract manufacturers.
Investment and deals
GSK paid about Rs 6,400 crore in 2014 to lift its stake in the Indian subsidiary to 75 percent. In 2015 the Indian company announced a Rs 1,000 crore greenfield tablet and capsule plant at Vemgal in Karnataka, which was later sold.
GSK's India business
The company was established in India in 1924 as H J Foster and Company Limited. It has one manufacturing facility, in Nashik, Maharashtra, and also works with contract manufacturers.
The Nashik site has earned BSI AMR Kitemark certification for antibiotic manufacturing. The company had about 3,100 employees in 2025.
Key moves in India
- 1924: The business was founded in India as H J Foster and Company Limited, distributing Glaxo baby food.
- 1950: The company was renamed Glaxo Laboratories (India) Limited.
- 2014: GSK raised its stake in the Indian unit from 50.7 percent to 75 percent through an open offer worth about Rs 6,400 crore.
- 2015: The company announced a Rs 1,000 crore greenfield plant at Vemgal near Bengaluru.
- 2018: The Vemgal plant opened with capacity for 8 billion tablets and 1 billion capsules a year.
- 2021: GSK sold the Vemgal plant to Hetero Labs for about US$25 million after its main product was hit by the ranitidine recalls.
Where it operates
GSK runs its India business from Mumbai. It also has a presence in Nashik.
At a glance
- Home country: United Kingdom
- Global headquarters: London
- Sector: Manufacturing & Supply Chains
- Business: Pharmaceuticals
- Role of India: Sales market, Manufacturing base
- India entity: GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited
- Listed in India: GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited (GLAXO)
- India head office: Mumbai
- India offices: Mumbai, Nashik
- India headcount: 3,100+ (2025)
- In India since: 1924
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