By Rishika Sadam

HYDERABAD, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Thermo Fisher Scientific ( TMO )

is eyeing a 15%-20% increase in its customer base in

India over the next five years, betting on the growing biopharma

research and manufacturing ecosystem, the head of its India unit

said.

The U.S.-based company, which makes lab and drug development

equipment and supplies analytical instruments, antibodies, and

genetic analysis products, said it is eyeing continued

double-digit growth in India driven by rising demand from

biopharma, semiconductor, and clean energy sectors.

"From a laboratory standpoint, as more laboratories create

quality standards in line with global standards, our products

will be found there. With more quality labs coming up, that's

where our customer base is growing," Srinath Venkatesh, managing

director for India and South Asia, told Reuters in an interview

last week, but declined to disclose its current customer base.

The company is also counting on rising demand from the

obesity-drug market as more pharmaceutical companies in India

work around the therapy area, he said.

Thermo Fisher serves customers globally, with the U.S. being

its major market. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for about 18%

of its revenue, with India among its fastest-growing markets,

the company said.

"We expect continued double-digit CAGR (compound annual

growth rate) growth from India. We have made deliberate

investments in the region, more so than in the past," said Tony

Acciarito, president for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa,

who was also present in the interview.

The company employs more than 5,000 people in India and

plans to expand its workforce, particularly in customer-facing

roles, as it broadens its presence in the country, Venkatesh

said.