Building Innovation and Talent at the ICC in India: Interview with Tilak Banerjee - Head, Takeda ICC, India

Meeting highlights:

• Takeda India ICC (Takeda Innovations India Private Ltd) is a part of Takeda´s Data, Digital & Technology (DD&T) organization. It provides services related to the creation and development of platforms, systems, software, applications, artificial intelligence-based technology, digital capabilities, and any other technology that is meant to advance the use, evaluation, and analysis of medical, clinical, commercial, scientific, technical data and information, and allowing the creation of innovative, state-of-the-art solutions to Takeda Group of companies.

• Takeda Biopharma (Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India Private Limited, formerly Baxalta Bioscience India Pvt. Ltd.) is dedicated to rare diseases like Hemophilia and Lysosomal Storage Disorders, rare immunology, and specialty care in Gastroenterology. It will soon introduce its oncology portfolio in India. With a skilled and committed workforce, Takeda in India is focused on developing a strong pipeline of innovative bio-pharma products to serve patients effectively.

• Innovation Capability Center: As part of Takeda´s Data, Digital & Technology (DD&T) organization, the Innovation Capability Center (ICC) functions as an internal innovation muscle for Takeda, focusing on delivering innovative solutions to support data and digital transformation and building future skills in-house. The first ICC opened in Bratislava in 2021, the second in Mexico City in May 2023, and Bengaluru (India) joined as the third location. Takeda will continue to expand to other locations to support the business globally.

• Bengaluru Location: Chosen for its thriving ecosystem and availability of highly skilled professionals. Focus from the Karnataka government in collaboration with industries in the IT-BT sector.

• High-Performance Teams: The focus is on creating teams that align with the culture, vision, and strategy of both the ICC and the broader values of Takeda-ism, which incorporate Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance, with Integrity at the core. In that order, they are brought to life through actions based on Patient-Trust-Reputation-Business.

• Talent Retention and Brand Building: Attracting talent is not enough; there is a strong emphasis on retaining and building capabilities that align with the company's vision. One of the priorities is to continue strengthening the Takeda brand in India and the broader region.

• Leaving a Legacy: Tilak's ambition is to create something meaningful for people to look back on with pride. From the ICC perspective, the goal is to demonstrate a pioneering approach to leveraging technology that impacts people's lives.

EF: What motivated you to take on the head role at ICC, and what main goals have you set for yourself in this position? 

TB: Having spent 25 years in the Global Capability Center (GCC) industry, I have witnessed its evolution from ‘captive centers to GCCs’ and have hands-on experience setting up and managing these centers. Given my background, the opportunity at Takeda felt like a perfect fit. 

My goal is to enhance the ICC’s capabilities and talent, aligning with Takeda’s strategy to bolster digital expertise in healthcare and pharma. As the first employee at the Innovation Capability Center (ICC) in India, I focused on selecting the right location. We chose Bengaluru for its strong talent pool, especially in data and digital skills. This decision was in line with Takeda's broader strategy to enhance digital expertise and build a competitive edge in healthcare and pharma through in-house capabilities. As the third center of its kind, my role is to build a high-performing team, create a culture that aligns with Takeda’s values, and ensure ICC supports the company's broader mission effectively. 

EF: Could you tell us more about Takeda's public-private partnerships in India to enhance digital collaboration and build a future-ready digital workforce? 

TB: Takeda is working closely with the Karnataka government, which has been proactively involving us in policy discussions. Our ICCs follow a round-the-sun model for continuous collaboration—Mexico for the U.S. time zone, Bratislava for Central Europe, and India for Asia-Pacific. In India, we avoid night shifts to support flexible schedules, especially for women returning to work. We are also partnering with universities to upskill fresh talent, focusing on re-engaging women, attracting new talent, and advancing upskilling initiatives. 

EF: How is Takeda evolving its approach in India, and what role do you see digital transformation playing in this shift towards providing comprehensive solutions in healthcare? 

TB: Our approach has shifted from providing services to offering complete solutions. This change reflects the growing talent and evolving healthcare landscape. Digital transformation is crucial, and we are leading this change by creating innovative solutions. Digital tools are revolutionizing therapeutics and enhancing patient experiences. The ICC enables Takeda’s digital transformation to develop a variety of solutions with emerging technologies like AI, robotics, data analytics, and cyber security, among others. 

Through developing data & digital capabilities internally, we are creating a future-ready organization. Our goal is to accelerate digital innovation across Takeda by ensuring faster time to market, enhanced efficiency, uncompromising quality, and optimal costs. We will leverage the power of the internal network by collaborating with our business units and functions in Takeda. 

EF: How do you attract and retain top talent that aligns with your company's mission and vision? 

TB: Takeda is forging a strong data and digital-led innovation culture. The ICCs will build institutional knowledge by centralizing digital capabilities in the ICCs and bringing value to the organization. Attracting and retaining top talent is crucial for us. 

We are collaborating closely with Takeda Biopharma Leadership to build One Takeda brand in India. By working closely with Takeda Biopharma Leadership, we aim to foster innovation that meets the needs of patients globally. Highlighting the impact of our work on patients helps us attract and keep the best talent. 

EF: Which of Takaeda’s focus areas are you most excited about and why? 

TB: Personally, I am excited about integrating data and digital initiatives. It is not just about the technology itself but how we use it to address specific needs. As technology evolves, we need to identify gaps and develop digital solutions. The data we generate and refine provides crucial insights that enhance our digital solutions, creating a powerful, cyclical relationship. 

EF: What are your career aspirations for the next 10 years, and how do you see this initiative positively impacting both the Takeda community and the broader population in Bengaluru? 

TB: My goal is to make a lasting impact as a leader, aligning with Takeda’s broader digital strategy. I want to leave a legacy that everyone involved can be proud of, inspiring a team that shares our mission. I see the ICC as a pioneer in leveraging technology to advance Takeda's vision. We aim to highlight our achievements, such as digitizing the patient journey, and showcase our impact. 

 As digital tools and advancements in machine learning and data collection evolve, the ICC will play a crucial role in integrating these innovations into treatment processes, significantly benefiting both our community and the broader population in Bengaluru and the world. 

I aim to give our team a clear sense of purpose, highlighting how their work impacts patients and drives our mission forward. 

‍EF: Do you have a final message for our readers? TB: The future seems bright and exciting. I am enthusiastic about being part of Takeda’s ICC model and am committed to advancing our aspiration of becoming one of the most trusted, science-driven, and digital biopharmaceutical companies. Achieving this with the talented team we are building in India will be a major milestone.