Abhineet Kumar &Amp; Joe C Mathew

Stories by Abhineet Kumar &Amp; Joe C Mathew

Mumbai-based cos shying away from terror victims

Mumbai-based cos shying away from terror victims

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

In the two weeks since the terror attacks in Mumbai, most of the large Indian business groups in the city have been conspicuous by their absence in offering help to terror victims.

GE Shipping cuts its dry bulk fleet

GE Shipping cuts its dry bulk fleet

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2008

GE Shipping, the country's largest private sector shipping company, is bringing down its exposure to the dry bulk segment to withstand the 93 per cent downfall in freight rate for such vessels.

Roche to sell arthritis drug in India

Roche to sell arthritis drug in India

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2008

Roche expects to start selling Actemra by April 2009, company sources said. India will be the second country to launch the drug, Japan being the first. The Indian drug regulator Drug Controller General of India usually approves a new drug marketing application based on safety and efficacy data cleared by regulators in the US, EU and other developed countries.

Choppy trade: Shipping biz strives to float

Choppy trade: Shipping biz strives to float

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2008

In a wide-ranging interview with Abhineet Kumar, SCI chairman and managing director S Hajara discusses the problems facing the shipping industry.

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2008

After launching mid-income houses, real estate companies are now targeting low-priced homes in the sub-Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) category to improve cash flows and beat the slump in the property market that has been driven by high borrowing rates.

HC orders review of Roche's drug patent

HC orders review of Roche's drug patent

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

First time, an Indian court revisits a patent office order.

'India has to work on its patent laws'

'India has to work on its patent laws'

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

Paul Herrling, global head of Novartis' corporate research, spoke to Business Standard about the changing concepts in R&D and Novartis' strategy.

Ship owners avoid ransom insurance, seek naval hel

Ship owners avoid ransom insurance, seek naval hel

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2008

Indian shipping companies' reluctance to take piracy insurance is probably linked to sky-rocketing costs. According to the site of London-based corporate security firm BGN Risk, piracy in the Gulf of Aden could increase insurance and transport costs by $400 million. Special risk insurance for crossing the Gulf has soared from $500 a voyage last year to $20,000 now, the company said.

Japanese pharma firm sets up Indian subsidiary

Japanese pharma firm sets up Indian subsidiary

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2008

While Daiichi Sankyo acquired a majority share in the country's biggest drug-maker Ranbaxy, Eisai and Astellas have chosen to set up wholly-owned subsidiaries to promote their patented medicines in the country. In a communication to the Nikkei Stock Exchange on November 18, Astellas said its subsidiary Astellas Pharma India in Mumbai was set up as a marketing arm to sell its immunology and urology medicines.

USFDA to set up office in India

USFDA to set up office in India

Rediff.com   18 Nov 2008

The US Department of Health and Human Services has decided to employ 10 full-time officials in Delhi -- a country director, four drug inspectors, two senior technical experts in medicines, two technical experts in medical devices and one from the food sector. 'The purpose of the appointment is to help develop food and medical product regulations and agencies improve product safety and conduct inspections in a more timely manner,' said Christopher Kelly, press officer, USFDA.

Novartis to shift 100 jobs to India

Novartis to shift 100 jobs to India

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2008

It plans to make Hyderabad as its back office hub for data management in clinical research and financial service segments. Novartis is putting infrastructure to put all these people in one place and the centre is expected to turn operational next year. It will be the back office for Novartis' pharmaceutical operations and will find many PhDs and post-graduates working there, said Jurgen Brokatzky-Geiger, head (human resources), Novartis.

Of Religare buy and mutual fund markets

Of Religare buy and mutual fund markets

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2008

It did come as a surprise when, last week, Religare Enterprises (promoted by the former promoters of Ranbaxy) decided to acquire a majority stake in the ailing Lotus India Asset Management Company. This is the first deal in India since the financial crisis caused the market to crash 23 per cent in October, and Lotus' assets under management from Rs 7,000 crore (Rs 70 billion) to about Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion).

Lower India price tag may help drug MNCs

Lower India price tag may help drug MNCs

Rediff.com   8 Nov 2008

A government committee that is looking into the possibility of pre-marketing price negotiation for patented medicines is likely to recommend a lenient view on such medicines, it is learnt. A government committee that is looking into the possibility of pre-marketing price negotiation for patented medicines is likely to recommend a lenient view on such medicines, it is learnt.

India working on GM herbs, says Greenpeace

India working on GM herbs, says Greenpeace

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2008

Even as the debate over safety and essentiality of genetically modified foods continues, Indian research institutes are trying to genetically modify some high-value medicinal herbs that are an integral part of ayurvedic medicine, a recent report of pro-environment group Greenpeace has said.

Firms may rethink land row-hit projects

Firms may rethink land row-hit projects

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2008

With recession threat looming large, Indian corporate houses may be forced to rethink their projects, which have been stalled following problems in land acquisitions, industry analysts said.

After Ranbaxy, US FDA turns the heat on Actavis

After Ranbaxy, US FDA turns the heat on Actavis

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2008

The US Congressional committee, which is inquiring into the country's Food and Drug Administration's handling of drug-marketing approvals of India's leading drug-maker Ranbaxy, has extended its probe into similar permissions given to Iceland's Actavis.

Govt moots special zones for drug firms

Govt moots special zones for drug firms

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2008

In a move aimed at encouraging the growth of innovation-driven industries, the Ministry of Science and Technology has proposed to set up special innovation zones that will offer a host of fiscal incentives for research and development companies in India.

WHO gives India five more mths to upgrade standard

WHO gives India five more mths to upgrade standard

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2008

The World Health Organization has given five more months to the Drugs Controller General of India to upgrade its performance to international standards. The extension of the current deadline of October-end came after a visiting WHO team found the modernisation programmes of the Indian drug regulator on track.

Sun Pharma expects 25% growth in the US

Sun Pharma expects 25% growth in the US

Rediff.com   29 Sep 2008

Sun generates 41 per cent of its annual revenues from the US market, a record of sorts among Indian drug firms. The company is bullish on its US prospects and expects 25 per cent growth in the country this year, higher than the 18-20 per cent growth projection it has given for other markets including India. The US is the world's largest market for medicines and accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the $780 billion global medicine sales.

Roche files 2 pleas against Cipla copycat drug

Roche files 2 pleas against Cipla copycat drug

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2008

The first petition alleges that Cipla Ltd, India's second largest pharmaceutical company, violated Roche's patent by launching a generic version of Valcyte. The second petition says Cipla violated the Swiss drug maker's trademark by launching the product in a phonetically similar name, 'Valcept'.