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India’s Strategic Healthcare Journey: UJA Portrait Series 4 – Aurelien Breton (Servier) on Patient-Centric Innovation, Oncology Growth & Franco-Indian Collaboration

With a presence in over 140 countries, Servier combines a long-term vision with patient-focused research. Its journey in India emphasizes ethical, value-based innovation and the expansion of oncology care. India represents tremendous potential—not only as a market, but also as a partner for global manufacturing, R&D, and sustainable healthcare innovation.

Aurélien Breton
Aurélien Breton

Managing Director, Servier

Can you introduce Servier in France and globally?

Servier is an international, independent pharmaceutical group governed by a non-profit foundation, committed to therapeutic progress for the benefit of patients.

With our global headquarters in France, we operate in more than 140 countries and collaborate with 22, 000 employees worldwide.

Driven by a strong patient-centric mission, we focus our R&D efforts on four areas of excellence — oncology, immuno-inflammation, neuroscience and cardiovascular diseases — with oncology as a top strategic priority.

Our unique governance model enables us to reinvest a significant share of revenue into innovation and research every year, ensuring long-term vision and sustainability in serving patients and healthcare ecosystems.

When and with what strategy did your group decide to establish itself in India?

Servier’s journey in India began in 1986 with a clear long-term objective: to become a trusted healthcare partner for Indian patients, healthcare professionals and the broader medical community.

Our entry strategy focused on three pillars — introducing globally proven therapies, building strong scientific engagement and shaping a local presence rooted in medical ethics and value-based innovation. This strategy has remained consistent over the decades as we continue to expand our portfolio and medical footprint across the country.

What have been the key stages of this establishment and the evolution of your development in India?

Over the past four decades, our development trajectory in India has been marked by key milestones:

  • 1980s–1990s: Introduction of our cardiovascular and diabetes portfolio, laying the foundation for our presence in the segment.
  • 2000s: Rapid expansion of scientific outreach and increased collaborations with medical societies and experts. Launch of several iconic brands that have become trusted prescriptions for physicians.
  • 2010s: Strengthening of our organizational structure, investments in talent development.
  • 2020 onwards: A strategic shift towards targeted care, especially oncology, while continuing our strong commitment to cardiovascular – diabetes diseases. Since 2024, we have introduced two oncology therapies – Onivyde in 2024 for Pancreatic cancer and Tibsovo for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Cholangiocarcinoma, with a third (Voranigo) for brain cancer, planned for launch in the coming year.

Today, Servier India is recognized among the Great Place to Work in India laureates for five consecutive years. Moreover, this year we are recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Asia, reflecting the strength of our people-first culture and our purposeful commitment to the medical and patient community.

How do you see the future in India and, more broadly, in the region? What is your perception of India?

India is one of the world’s most dynamic healthcare landscapes — combining scientific depth, rising digital health maturity and growing patient needs.
For Servier, India is not only a key market but a strategic growth engine for the region. We see a strong opportunity to accelerate access to innovative treatments, strengthen oncology care pathways and broaden our collaborations with hospitals, experts and research networks.

India’s vibrant talent pool, spirit of innovation and high medical standards make it a deeply promising ecosystem for long-term investment and partnerships. The country embodies both momentum and purpose — two values that resonate strongly with Servier and shape our long-term vision in India.

Your role as CCEF

As a Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur de la France (CCEF), my role is to contribute to strengthening economic ties between France and India by sharing market insights, supporting French companies exploring opportunities in India and fostering bilateral collaboration.

In this role, I aim to:

  • Share real-world market insights from India’s fast-evolving healthcare landscape with French businesses considering entry or expansion here.
  • Help French companies by understanding regulatory, commercial and operational challenges in India, drawing on my experience in emerging markets and the evolving Indian pharma ecosystem.
  • Encourage bilateral collaboration — not just in trade, but in innovation, clinical research, contract manufacturing and export-hub potential, tapping into India’s growing capabilities.
  • Support initiatives under CCEF’s remit, including training and mentoring younger professionals for international careers — leveraging Servier’s presence to offer exposure to global pharma operations.

Because the CCEF role is voluntary, it allows me to bring an independent, strategic-oriented perspective: bridging French industrial and innovation strengths with Indian growth opportunities and encouraging synergies that benefit both countries.

This responsibility resonates deeply with my personal and professional belief that India offers tremendous potential — not only as a market, but as a partner for global manufacturing, R&D and sustainable healthcare innovation.

I remain committed to helping French organizations approach India with realism, confidence and long-term strategic ambition, while contributing to France’s global economic influence through the lens of healthcare and life sciences.

For more information on this portrait or on UJA contact olivia@uja.in