Pharma & Biotech Job Market in India

DNAman · Post by **DNAman** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:41 am

Greetings,
I have been a frequent visitor to this website and have found it invaluable in terms of getting the ground realities in India.
I have been in the US for 20 years. I am from Bombay (Chembur, OLPS High School and Vivekanand College ).
We (wife & 2 kids, 8 & 4 yrs old) would like to return HOME.
Most job forums that I have come across on this website discuss the job market for either IT or Finance professionals.
Both, my wife and I are in the Pharma/Biotech industry.
I am very interested in learning the experiences of folks in this field, who have either already returned home or are working towards that goal.
Any & all pointers would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
:)

Chicago Desi · Post by **Chicago Desi** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:53 am

What's your current role and what role are you seeking?

DNAman · Post by **DNAman** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:28 am

At present I am Manager of the complete Drug Stability Program for a Biologics Biotech. within the QC Dept.
By training I am a Cell & Molecular Biologist (Ph.D.).
In India I would be looking for a senior position (>10yrs of experience) either in Quality or R & D. preferably in an organization dealing with large molecules.
Similarly, my wife (Ph.D. - Biochemistry) heads a lab in a very large Pharma. (small molecules).
She is into early target validation for various disease groups (pure R & D, 7 yrs of experience).
She would also be looking for a relatively senior position.
Regards,

Chicago Desi · Post by **Chicago Desi** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:41 am

That sounds good. There are many positions in the pharma industry today and its booming due to generics being exported all over the world. There are many companies in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore who are doing some very impressive work.

Below are a few names for you. You can look them up online and try to connect with people in these companies. Keep in mind that MNCs don't do much R&D in India (that I know), so MNCs will probably have less opportunities. But it does not hurt to connect and find out.

a) Cipla (Mumbai)
b) Matrix (Hyderabad)
c) Emcure (Pune): they have mostly copied molecules of US based MNCs and don't do much R&D as far as I know
d) Reddy Labs (Hyderabad)
e) Biocon (Bangalore)
f) Ranbaxy (Gurgaon)
g) Nicholas Piramal (Mumbai)

Please see a more detailed list in the link below:
http://www.piribo.com/publications/country/asia_pacific/CYG006.html

Make sure you accept an offer only after visiting and spending some time there. The industry in India is very different and I have seen some friends whose offers were lowballed after the initial offer or they were offered lower positions after they accepted the job. So do your due diligence.

DNAman · Post by **DNAman** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:20 am

The information and advice is much appreciated.

It would be great to hear from someone who has actually "taken the plunge" in terms of going through the whole process with a Pharma in India and having actually moved back and worked there (how close was reality vs expectations etc).
Thanks,

Indian.Sam · Post by **Indian.Sam** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:08 am

Check out this link http://www.bioplanet.com/planetforums/forumdisplay.php?fid=1

ILuvHyd · Post by **ILuvHyd** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:47 am

DNAMan,
Check Dr. Reddy's Labs in Hyderabad. They have a decent R&D center in Miyapur, Hyderabad. http://www.drreddys.com/

chamuv · Post by **chamuv** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:52 pm

Hi everybody,

I am very glad to see your valuable suggestions. Of you all, i am a new born to this field and looking for the support you . I have just completed PhD - Biology/Biochemistry with Pharmaceutical background.

As I am fresher and starting my career, It would be of great help and support if you can guide me how to a go about hunting a job in Pharma or biotech industry . I am sure your guidance with years of experience in the industry will be very helpful for me to apply and get a position in a good organisation. I am looking for a career in and also out of India.

It will be of great help if you can guide me of any openings in this field. I apologize for taking your valuable time and requesting you to help me.

Vijay

Indiansummer · Post by **Indiansummer** » Mon May 17, 2010 9:09 am

hvn2hm;120969DNAman,

Thanks for sharing your interview experiences. Its really helpful in my preparation for interviews with potential employers.

IMO Its somewhat counterintuitive - "you will be considered an outsider and required to prove your self constantly", You would think that having worked for successful organizations here, having a track record of accomplishments, we would be considered a proven entity which could have a positive impact/influence on the personnel, projects and the organization there. Maybe, a case of professional jealousy.

As for as being offered better packages (dont know how they would get the info.), isn't it very common here to have significantly different compensaton among peers based on experience, fit and the negotiation skills of individuals. I wonder whether the pay packages in India are in general more homogeneous!!!!!

I dont know if this thread is even active now. But some great information here from experienced professionals. I and my husband are contemplating R2I and I am a Pharmaceutical scientist. I was quite surprised to know that people are generally aware about what salaries others get. My husband just got an offer at an MNC (PhD level scientist position) and his cousin who works in the same company mentioned to him that "if you are a PhD from abroad (irrespective of what university you graduated from), you draw more salary than an individual who got his PhD from India. The pay packages are thus not uniform, in my opinion.