Looking for R&D talents to improve their pace at the pharmaceutical company’s Health-Tech
A key driver is the surge in private equity investment in pharmaceutical and health technology companies, not only injecting capital, but also encouraging people to focus more on innovation and product development.
The company is also exploring the application of AI and machine learning in diagnostics, predictive analytics and personalized care. Research on digital therapy, remote monitoring and health platforms is also on the rise.
Lupine focuses on complex generics and biosimilars, especially in respiratory, injections and women’s health.
“Our novel drug discovery programs require specialised talent who can advance our research from early-stage development through to commercialisation. We’re also investing in next-generation pharma technologies, including novel drug delivery systems and targeted therapies,” said Yashwant Mahadik, president – global human resources, Lupin.At Biocon Biologics, the R&D team plays a central role in driving innovation and delivering commercially viable, high-quality biosimilars across areas such as diabetes, oncology, ophthalmology and autoimmune diseases. The company has several upcoming programs in biosimilar product development which is fuelling the need for more R&D talent.“We are hiring principal scientists, associate scientists, and research associates across various specialisations. These include candidates with Master’s degrees in biotechnology, chemical engineering, as well as PhDs and post-doctoral researchers with experience in areas such as molecular biology, process development, analytical sciences, and regulatory sciences,” the spokesperson said. Their recruitment strategy covers horizontal and campus recruitment.
Citiustech is investing in healthcare informatics research and development. The company is recruiting roles in Generative AI, cloud and large-scale computing, and proxy AI, especially where it intersects with healthcare applications.
CIO Sudhir Kesavan said health care is changing rapidly, and adopting digital technologies and proxy AI is opening up new possibilities for improving patient experience, clinical outcomes and therapeutic research.
Recruitment rise
Trends at recruiting companies such as Adecco and Page Exepuiper, which have risen sharply in hiring R&D positions, with senior executives paying to Rs. 10 million to 20 million or above, depending on your major and qualifications.
Over the past year, the hiring of Page executives in R&D roles in pharmaceutical and health technology has increased by 15-20%, with companies in oncology, AI diagnostics and digital health experiencing the most dramatic growth.
“We are seeing the advancement of Indian companies and multinational companies, prioritizing the expansion of their R&D teams, especially through the establishment of Global Capacity Centres (GCC) and Research Centres within India,” said Nupur Mehta, partner at Page Expecoipe.
Karthikeyan K, director of Adecco permanent recruitment, said the company is building AI, data science and regulatory affairs to enhance drug development and market preparation capabilities, and R&D recruitment is crucial to driving innovation, ensuring compliance and maintaining competitive advantage in healthcare sectors.
He added: “We have seen a 20% increase in CXO recruitment, 50% from junior to mid-level, and about 35% from senior level hiring. Professional R&D talents are still limited, especially in high-demand areas such as life sciences and advanced technology, where deep expertise is required.”
Talents come from institutions such as IISC, IIT, Nipe University and universities abroad, especially those known for their life sciences, bioengineering and medical research. The hiring company said it also encouraged Indian Aboriginal Fund researchers from abroad to return to India.
