Global medtech firms expand manufacturing presence in India

Various global medical device companies are concentrating on enhancing their presence in India by increasing their local manufacturing capacity and research functions, a strategy that could elevate India to a pivotal center for the medical technology sector.

Siemens Healthineers and Philips are among those expanding their presence in the country, indicating a wider transformation of India from merely a sales market to a center for global production and innovation.

Siemens Healthineers, an approved applicant in India's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices, is committing ₹91.9 crore to produce computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems at its facility in Bengaluru. The firm is building a new integrated campus in the city with a 200 million euro (approximately ₹1,910 crore) investment, which will be its largest global location by built-up space. The campus will feature research and development (R&D), production, an innovation center, and headquarters for India.

Hariharan Subramanian, managing director of Siemens Healthcare, affirmed the company's bullish outlook on India, saying, "We believe in India's growth story and have an ambitious yet focused vision for its future. Our goal is to deliver sustainable and scalable health care solutions that will transform access to health care across the country."

He emphasized the achievements of the company's 'Make in India' program, mentioning that the mobile C-arm Cios Fit (a form of angiography x-ray system utilized for various diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive surgeries) is fully conceptualized, designed, and produced in India, with exports to more than 64 countries. Siemens has broadened its local production by launching Multix Impact E Digital Radiography X-ray systems in Bengaluru and has also secured authorization to produce RT-PCR kits for mpox detection at its facility in Vadodara.

In the meantime, Philips Healthcare is increasing its 'Make in India' initiatives as well. Over the past few years, the company has collectively invested nearly 750 crore. It was recently declared that ₹350 crore will be invested in building a new R&D facility to strengthen its Healthcare Innovation Center (HIC) in Pune.

The newly established 300,000 sq ft research and development center will accommodate approximately 1,900 staff members and focus on creating imaging and image-guided therapy technologies for worldwide markets.