Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dilsad Babayigit, Managing Director of ageneo Life Science in Germany and Chairwoman of the International Network of Recruiting Agencies in Life Sciences (INRALS). Our conversation reinforced something I’ve believed for many years: successful international recruitment isn’t just about finding great candidates—it’s about understanding the local market.
As life sciences companies continue to expand globally, hiring across borders has become increasingly complex. Every country has its own employment landscape, cultural expectations, hiring practices, and regulatory environment. Navigating these differences requires more than a recruitment process; it requires trusted local expertise.
That’s one of the reasons I’m proud to be part of the International Network of Recruiting Agencies in Life Sciences (INRALS).
A global network built on local expertise
INRALS is a network of owner-managed recruitment firms dedicated exclusively to the life sciences industry. With established partners in 17 countries and coverage across more than 60 markets, the network brings together experienced specialists who truly understand their local markets.
Unlike larger global recruitment models, every INRALS partner is deeply rooted in their own region. That means clients benefit from local knowledge, established talent networks, and practical insights that simply can’t be replicated from afar.
Recruitment is about more than filling roles
When companies expand internationally, recruitment quickly becomes more than a hiring exercise.
Questions around salary expectations, labour laws, market competitiveness, and cultural differences all come into play. Having a trusted local partner helps businesses navigate these complexities with confidence while avoiding costly mistakes.
In my experience, the best recruitment partnerships don’t stop at introducing candidates. They provide guidance, market intelligence, and strategic advice that support long-term business growth.
The power of collaboration
During our discussion, Dilsad shared a great example of how collaboration within the INRALS network creates real value for clients. A US-based biopharma company was preparing to launch an oncology product across Europe and needed to establish operations simultaneously in Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Spain.
Rather than expanding country by country, multiple INRALS partners worked together, combining their local expertise while operating as one coordinated team. The result was a successful recruitment strategy that enabled the client to build leadership and commercial teams across five markets within a demanding timeframe. It’s exactly the kind of collaboration that demonstrates the value of combining global reach with local knowledge.
Why this matters for life sciences companies
International expansion brings enormous opportunity, but every market presents unique challenges.
Working with recruiters who understand the local business environment means gaining more than access to talent. It means having advisors who can help you understand market dynamics, hiring expectations, cultural nuances, and the practical realities of building a team in a new country. Those insights often make the difference between simply hiring people and building a successful business.
Whether you’re entering a single new market or expanding across multiple countries, having experienced local partners allows you to make better hiring decisions, minimise risk, and accelerate growth.
Morunda’s role in the global network
As the exclusive INRALS partner in Japan, Morunda works closely with specialist life sciences recruitment firms across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.
Our clients benefit from a truly collaborative approach—one that combines local expertise with global reach. Whether we’re helping an international company establish a presence in Japan or supporting Japanese organisations with overseas expansion, our goal remains the same: to connect exceptional life sciences talent with organisations poised for growth.
The life sciences industry is global, but successful recruitment is always local. By working together through trusted partnerships like INRALS, we can help businesses navigate new markets with confidence and build teams that drive long-term success.
Key takeaways
As my conversation with Dilsad highlighted, successful international recruitment is built on more than access to talent. It requires:
- Local market expertise to navigate hiring practices, regulations, and cultural differences.
- Strong collaboration between trusted recruitment partners across borders.
- Strategic recruitment advice that goes beyond filling vacancies.
- A global network with local knowledge to support businesses wherever they choose to expand.
For life sciences companies, these factors can significantly reduce the challenges of entering new markets while helping to build high-performing teams more efficiently.
Final thoughts
The life sciences industry continues to evolve, and opportunities for international growth have never been greater. But global expansion is only as successful as the people who drive it.
One of the key messages from my discussion with Dilsad is that local expertise remains invaluable, no matter how global your ambitions are. Having trusted partners who understand each market, share knowledge openly, and work together towards a common goal creates a significant advantage for businesses expanding internationally.
At Morunda, we’re proud to bring that philosophy to every client engagement. Through our partnership with INRALS, we’re able to combine deep local knowledge with a truly global network—helping life sciences companies build exceptional teams and grow with confidence, wherever their journey takes them.
Book a Discovery Session with us today to discuss your hiring needs and discover how local expertise can support your global ambitions.
