Intas Pharmaceuticals

Global healthcare company Intas Pharmaceuticals wanted to be closer to its London client base and exploit UK and European markets. Think London helped it maximise the success of its new London operation.

The company

Intas Pharmaceuticals is one of India’s fastest-growing and most successful healthcare companies. It is engaged in manufacturing, research and development and specialises in contract manufacturing for Europe. With a presence in 42 countries, the company has also ventured successfully into high-growth areas of animal healthcare, oncology and biotechnology.

Aim

The company already had business in the UK and wanted to strengthen its links with its existing client base. It also wanted to connect with new customers in London and throughout Europe.

Think London helped with

• office location and set-up in Harrow, north-west London. The location’s proximity to Heathrow, Europe’s largest air hub, was a key factor. 
• making important introductions to key contacts including banks and property consultants. 
• scoping of estimated costs before major budgetary commitments.
  

Market factors

• a booming market: London’s healthcare sector contributes $15 billion to London’s economy, representing 7% of its GDP; biotechnology and life sciences play a critical part. 
• healthcare and pharmaceutical companies are winning lucrative contracts thanks to the Labour government’s strategy of privatisation and public-private partnership (PPP).  
• London’s five medical schools (across 15 hospital sites) make London the leading healthcare, medical education and research city in Europe. 
• find out more in our healthcare sector briefing
  

Business success

Intas Pharmaceuticals successfully set up its London office in 2003 and is now building a sizeable European client base (more needed here).

In their own words

“Intas Pharmaceuticals decided to set up in London for a number of reasons. We already had existing business in the UK so wanted to be closer to our current client base, but London also has a large new customer market for us to tap into. London offers good infrastructural support to companies who wish to set up here, which certainly makes the transition easier and smoother.

London’s location is extremely beneficial in terms of logistics. We are close to one of the UK’s biggest international airports, Heathrow, which means it is much it is easier for us to travel to and from India and also within other European countries.

As any international company will know when expanding abroad, it is important to ensure the staff feel at ease with the new location. I see London as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities and our staff can easily adjust to the move and feel at home in London. The city is full of different people from different cultures and countries. I see London as having something to offer everyone both in business and socially.

We were very satisfied with the service that we received from Think London. I have found it quite unusual to be offered such a service for free and this was extremely appealing. It is great to have an organisation which genuinely wants to help you and your business, but is not trying to make a profit from it, especially as setting up in another country can be an expensive process.

Think London introduced us to banks and property consultants which were very useful contacts. As the initial meetings with these external companies are free it helped us gain information about what was available to us before committing to a big expense.”

Ashish Menocha,
Regional Director, Intas Pharmaceuticals, London

For more information about Intas Pharmaceuticals, please visit www.intaspharma.com