"AI is a transformative enabler that's reshaping how science is conducted in labs"

2025 witnessed multiple new initiatives taken by Agilent Technologies, a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, for the Indian market. These initiatives included establishment of an India Solutions Center in Manesar; and a Biopharma Experience Center in Hyderabad. 2025 also saw Nandakumar Kalathil stepping in as the new Country General Manager for Agilent India. With over 25 years of experience in the analytical industry, Nanda brings extensive expertise in leadership, team management, and customer relations. To find out more about the company's growth plans in 2026 in India, BioSpectrum interacted with Nandakumar Kalathil, Country General Manager for Agilent India in detail. Edited excerpts:

- Dr Manbeena Chawla

After stepping in as the Country General Manager of Agilent, which are some of the key strategies you've put in play to enhance your presence in the Indian market?

Since stepping into the role, my focus has been on transforming our market approach, deepening customer relationships, and accelerating growth through localised innovation and operational excellence. We're emphasising workflow-based solution selling in strategic areas like GLP-1, ADCs, and mRNA, and expanding into pharma, biopharma, food safety, and environmental testing.

We are also building capabilities, onboarding new talent, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. These efforts are part of our broader strategy to scale our presence in high-growth segments and deliver tailored solutions that address evolving customer needs.

Have you lined up any new projects for the Indian biopharma sector, for 2026?

Agilent is executing a three-to-five-year strategic roadmap for India, with a strong focus on infrastructure expansion, innovation, and deepening collaborations. In FY26, we are scaling up investments made in 2025, particularly in areas where capability gaps exist across the biopharma ecosystem. A key initiative is the Biopharma Experience Center in Hyderabad, which serves as a cornerstone of our biopharma strategy. This centre provides customers with early access to cutting-edge technologies, validated workflows, and co-created innovations. We are also expanding our India Solutions Center in Manesar, which supports collaborative R&D, proof-of-concept development, and tailored solutions for the Indian market.

What are some of the stated objectives of the Biopharma Experience Center and the challenges you plan to address vis-à-vis the growth of the biopharma industry?