Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico – Guadalajara has just joined the select group of cities leading global pharmaceutical innovation. AstraZeneca last week completed the expansion of its Global Innovation & Technology Center (GITC) – one of only two in the world – with an executed investment of 540 million pesos, doubling its capacity and consolidating Mexico as a laboratory for artificial intelligence applied to healthcare.
The expansion is part of a 2 billion peso plan executed between 2024 and 2025 that positions the country as a strategic partner in the digital transformation of medicine.
The decision came at a time when biopharmaceutical innovation companies are competing for technological talent and the capacity to process big data to accelerate drug discovery. The Guadalajara GITC, located in what has become Mexico’s economic oasis, employs more than 1,000 specialists and has been recognized as the best place to work in the Western region for five consecutive years, demonstrating capabilities comparable to technology centers centers in Boston, Cambridge, or Shanghai.
A hub that transforms technology to serve global health from Mexico
The center operates as a technology hub supporting AstraZeneca’s global innovation and enabling critical capabilities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and process automation. The expansion increased its physical footprint to 16,970 m², incorporating a state-of-the-art auditorium, advanced training spaces, and an open innovation lab that will leverage the use of AI to accelerate the development of new medicines, optimize clinical trials, and build more resilient supply chains on a global scale.
“Mexico is a fundamental component of our global growth vision. Guadalajara is one of only two centers of its kind in the world, the technological heart that drives AstraZeneca’s innovation engine. The GITC has evolved from operational excellence to become a true global innovation hub, thanks to the extraordinary talent here,” said Cindy Hoots, Chief Digital Officer & CIO of AstraZeneca. The company maintains a firm commitment to developing local talent with investments in technical training, particularly in AI and cybersecurity, leadership programs for women, and language development. Partnerships with more than 30 public and private institutions contribute to closing health equity gaps through early detection and improved access to innovative treatments.
Comprehensive investment: from digital innovation to sustainable manufacturing
The 2 billion peso plan was distributed across three strategic fronts: expansion of the GITC (Technical and Technical Center), strengthening the manufacturing site in the State of Mexico – the company’s first facility with net-zero emissions globally – and more than 1.4 billion pesos allocated to clinical research. Mexico currently participates in 25% of AstraZeneca’s global projects, focusing on chronic diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, with a special focus on women’s health.
The manufacturing site produces essential medications for type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, contributing to the care of millions of patients in Mexico and Latin America.
Economic and social impact in Jalisco
The expansion generates more than 400 direct specialized jobs in Jalisco, focused on high-value technology profiles: data scientists, AI engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and software developers. Additionally, initiatives such as Rain Nests have saved millions of liters of water, while Salud Joven has benefited more than 220,000 young people with prevention and health education initiatives across the country.
“Jalisco offers ideal conditions for investing in, researching, and developing world-class medical technology. AstraZeneca’s leadership in biomedical research, artificial intelligence, and pharmacology aligns with our commitment to innovation, biotechnology, and the development of specialized talent,” concluded Andrea Blanco Calderón, General Strategic Coordinator for Social Development representing the government of Jalisco.
We Need Your Support: While other local media outlets have retreated behind paywalls, at Banderas News, we believe news should be free for everyone. Would you help us provide essential information to our readers at no cost? We can’t do it without you. Your contribution helps us sustain and grow.