GSK Pharma to invest Rs.1,000 cr in tablets, capsules unit near Bengaluru

GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd (GSK) has decided to invest Rs.1,000 crore to set up facility to manufacture tablets and capsules.

The Karnataka government has allotted 50 acres of KIADB land at Vemgal Industrial Area in Kolar for the purpose. The facility is expected to generate jobs for 232.

Ian Felton, Deputy High Commissioner, British Deputy High Commission, Bengaluru, said the tentative date for the ground breaking ceremony of the GSK facility is likely to be September 8. He extended formal invitation to the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and RV Deshpande, Karnataka Minister for Large & Medium Industries and Tourism today.

The global pharmaceutical company’s facility at Vemgal, Kolar, is the first new manufacturing facility of the company after a gap of 15 years anywhere in the world, said Felton.

GSK has its presence in India since 1924, and currently employs over 4,500 people. The company two manufacturing units in Nasik and Thane as well as a clinical development centre in Bengaluru.

A business delegation of UK businessmen led by Richard Heald, CEO, UK India Business Council (UKBC) called on K Ratna Prabha, Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary to Commerce and Industries Department and BS Shekarappa, CEO and EM, KIADB and discussed about GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals investments in Karnataka.

The UKBC team invited the Karnataka government to participate in ‘India UK Business Convention 2015’ scheduled to be held at New Delhi from September 10 to 12.

Ratna Prabha said Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries Deshpande is likely to address the largest gathering of UK businesses in India about the opportunities in Karnataka on September 11 in the plenary session entitled ‘Competitive Federalism’.

“This will be a great opportunity to attract top UK companies to Karnataka during Invest Karnataka 2015 scheduled during November 23-25,” she added.