Swiss contract manufacturer Lonza has chosen Hyderabad for a new Global Capability Centre. The company confirmed the decision in March 2026 after weighing several locations. The centre will handle operational, digital and scientific work for Lonza’s global network and is expected to create a substantial number of specialist jobs over time, though no headcount or investment figure has been disclosed.
Founded in 1897, Lonza develops and manufactures medicines on behalf of pharmaceutical and biotech companies. It runs more than 30 development and manufacturing sites across North America, Europe and Asia and employs close to 20,000 people. In 2025 it posted sales of CHF 6.5 billion and core EBITDA of CHF 2.1 billion. Its technology platforms span mammalian biologics, small molecules, bioconjugates, and cell and gene therapies.
What the centre will do
The Hyderabad centre will support technology, digital innovation and R&D across Lonza’s operations, linking research, development and manufacturing work done at its sites around the world. Roles will sit in pharmaceutical operations, data and digital systems.
The centre is part of a wider internal transformation programme at Lonza. Early hiring has focused on building the site itself, from workplace and infrastructure to the readiness needed for the first waves of work to move across from other locations.
Why Hyderabad
Lonza said Hyderabad stood out on the strength of its specialised talent, quality infrastructure and supportive industrial base. The decision followed several months of discussions with Telangana Lifesciences, the state industries and commerce department and other local stakeholders. A Lonza delegation met D. Sridhar Babu, Telangana’s minister for industries and commerce, and Shakthi M. Nagappan, chief executive of Telangana Lifesciences, to confirm the choice.
Lonza’s India footprint
Lonza’s Indian business began in 1997 as a liaison office that mainly sourced advanced chemical intermediates from the country. It grew into a full sales and commercial organisation in 2007 after Lonza acquired Cambrex Bio Products. The Hyderabad centre is a different kind of commitment, moving core operational and scientific support work into India.
What it signals
Novartis, Sanofi and Eli Lilly already run capability centres in India, and contract manufacturers are now following. Lonza’s choice reflects how the outsourced drug manufacturing business, with its heavy load of quality, data and process work, is turning to India for global support. It also strengthens Hyderabad’s position as the default home for life sciences capability centres.
At a glance
- Home country: Switzerland
- Sector: Healthcare and Life Sciences
- City: Hyderabad
- Date: March 2026
- Status: Announced
- Scale: Headcount not disclosed, specialist roles in operations, data and digital
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