Biocon Ltd and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, two of India’s prominent biotech and pharmaceutical companies, have once again secured positions in Science magazine’s prestigious 2024 Top Biotech and Pharma Employers list. This achievement underscores their commitment to innovation, employee satisfaction, and social responsibility, as recognized in the global biopharma community.
Bangalore-based Biocon, known for its patient-centric approach and innovative research in biopharmaceuticals, has achieved a significant milestone by placing 9th among the top employers in the biotech, pharma, and biopharma sectors. This ranking includes Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon, as feedback from employees across both entities contributed to the results. Biocon has consistently featured on this list since its debut in 2012, reflecting a sustained dedication to fostering a work culture that values ideation, experimentation, and collaboration.
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, headquartered in Hyderabad, has also made notable strides, climbing to the 15th spot, up from 16th in 2023 and 18th in 2022. This is Dr. Reddy’s third consecutive appearance on the Science Top Employers list, marking its growing presence as a respected employer in the global biotech and pharma industries. The company has earned particularly high ratings in employee respect, loyalty, and social responsibility.
The annual survey conducted by Science magazine, a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), has been identifying the top biotech and pharma employers since 2002. This year, around 6,400 respondents participated in the survey, with 65% from North America, 19% from Europe, and 11% from Asia/Pacific. Approximately 95% of participants work in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, or pharmaceutical sectors, providing a well-rounded perspective on the industry’s top employers.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairperson of Biocon Group, commented on the honor, saying, “Biocon has always been R&D-led, fostering a culture of ideation, experimentation, and collaboration, with patients at the core of its business. This commitment has led us to be among the ‘Top 10 Global Employers’ several years in a row according to Science magazine. These attributes resonate with our people, united by the shared purpose of making affordable, high-quality medicines accessible to those in need worldwide.” Her statement highlights Biocon’s enduring dedication to research and development, a defining feature of its identity and success.
Similarly, G.V. Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Reddy’s, acknowledged the significance of the recognition, stating, “We are committed to developing affordable and innovative pharmaceuticals by investing in cutting-edge science and technology, nurturing great scientists, and creating an environment that fosters innovation in all aspects of product development.” This emphasis on fostering an environment that supports innovation underscores Dr. Reddy’s commitment to offering high-quality, affordable medicines while advancing its reputation as a responsible employer.
Other companies that made the 2024 global Top 20 list include top-ranking U.S.-based Insmed, followed by Regeneron, Incyte, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, which has operations in both the UK and the U.S. Other prominent names include Syngenta Group (Switzerland), Spark Therapeutics (U.S.), Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (U.S.), Roche (Switzerland), Abbott (U.S.), Moderna (U.S.), Novo Nordisk, GSK (UK), Eli Lilly and Company (U.S.), Merck KGaA (Germany), Boehringer Ingelheim (Germany), Merck & Co. (U.S.), and AbbVie (U.S.).
The companies on Science’s list are evaluated based on 24 factors, including respect for employees, innovative leadership, and social responsibility, which collectively define an organization’s workplace culture and appeal. The feedback from employees in this survey has highlighted both Biocon and Dr. Reddy’s as institutions where innovation and employee satisfaction thrive, even amid an increasingly competitive global market.
The rankings of Biocon and Dr. Reddy’s underscore the growing prominence of Indian companies in the international biotech and pharmaceutical arena. Their consistent ranking on this list positions them as employers of choice for talent in India and globally, while reinforcing the country’s contributions to biopharmaceutical research, innovation, and access to affordable medicines. This achievement not only celebrates their work culture but also reflects the values and mission driving these companies forward in the rapidly evolving global healthcare landscape.