A new global survey by Unispace, a leader in workplace strategy, design, and construction, reveals that India’s life sciences industry is leading the charge in developing cutting-edge, future-ready laboratory environments. The “Unispace Global Life Sciences 2025 Survey Report” highlights India’s progressive approach, with the sector significantly outpacing its international counterparts in key areas of lab design and functionality.

The survey, which gathered insights from 400 senior and mid-level life sciences leaders across India, the US, UK, and Switzerland, found that a remarkable 66% of Indian pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech leaders consider their labs to be highly adaptable. This figure comfortably exceeds the global average of 56%, underscoring India’s commitment to flexible and responsive research and development infrastructure.

Indian leaders also demonstrated a strong emphasis on technological integration, with 65% believing their labs are well-equipped to incorporate new technologies, compared to 56% globally. This forward-thinking mindset positions India’s life sciences sector not only to adapt to rapid R&D evolution but also to actively shape global trends in lab strategy.

Cross-functional collaboration is another area where India shines, with 80% of Indian leaders reporting that their labs support such collaboration, surpassing the global average of 75%. This focus on integrated teamwork is crucial for accelerating innovation within the sector.

“Indian life sciences companies are truly emerging as global frontrunners in building labs of the future,” stated Abi Roni Mattom, Country Director of Unispace India. “Our findings reinforce their progressive approach in reimagining their labs as strategic enablers of innovation, talent retention, and digital transformation.”

The report further indicates that strategic partnerships and co-development initiatives are becoming a central funding mechanism for new lab infrastructure in India, cited by 66% of leaders. Moreover, over half (56%) prioritise the adoption of smart, AI-driven, and digital technologies in lab environments, while 54% emphasise flexible, modular spaces optimised for collaboration.

Beyond technological advancements, the survey highlights a significant focus on human-centric design and sustainability in India’s life sciences labs. Indian leaders are prioritising smart energy infrastructure, with a strong interest in solar power, LED lighting, and energy-efficient ventilation solutions. These choices are driven not only by environmental considerations but also by the need for resilience in regions with a potentially unstable power supply.

Wellness and human-centric design are gaining substantial traction, with 57% of Indian leaders emphasising the importance of rest and recharge spaces, and 53% advocating for visually appealing and comfortable work environments. These features are increasingly seen as vital for attracting and retaining top STEM talent in a highly competitive global landscape.

“Today’s lab users are digital natives who expect high-performing, flexible spaces that support a range of activities,” added Mattom. “India’s forward-thinking life sciences leaders are ahead of the curve in designing laboratories that are adaptable, digitally integrated, and aligned with sustainability goals.”

Also read: AstraZeneca Pharma India Appoints Praveen Rao Akkinepally as New Managing Director

Unispace surveyed 400 senior and middle managers across India, the USA, the UK/Ireland, and Switzerland, with 100 respondents per region. Participants represented diverse roles, including CEOs, CSOs, Directors, Lab Managers, Scientists, IT, R&D, HR, and Operations, from organisations ranging in size from 30 to over 2,000 employees. The study focused on the Pharmaceuticals, Biotech, MedTech, and Digital Health industries within the life sciences sector.

As the global life sciences and R&D sectors continue their rapid expansion, the Unispace report underscores the critical opportunity for companies to design lab environments that are agile, future-proof, and deeply centred around the human experience.

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