B G Shirsat &Amp; P B Jayakumar

Stories by B G Shirsat &Amp; P B Jayakumar

Bad times for pharmacy chains in India

Bad times for pharmacy chains in India

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2008

Even as a heated debate goes on in the corridors of power and academic circles on the impact of large retail chains on small shops, in one sector it is clear that the big players are close to biting dust. At least two large pharmacy chains are up for sale, industry sources said. Some others have shaken up their top management, while a few have cut back on their expansions. One is trying to rediscover its business model by looking at rural markets. And all are woefully short o

Seven star performers of India Inc

Seven star performers of India Inc

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2008

Early birds post better profit growth than the preceding two quarters.A total of 345 companies have so far declared their results. Analysis of the results of a common sample of 237 companies showed that the net profit growth at 21.97 per cent was better than that recorded in the previous two quarters

R-Power's Butibori project to begin soon

R-Power's Butibori project to begin soon

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2008

The 300 mw Group Captive Power Project (GCPP) being set up by Vidarbha Industries Power (VIPL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by Reliance Power, at Butibori near Nagpur in Maharashtra, will soon enter the construction phase. Sources said the required land has been acquired and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has given the green signal for setting up the project. Reliance Power will soon award the EPC contract for the Rs 1500 crore project.

'Ranbaxy will gain from Orchid's R&D'

'Ranbaxy will gain from Orchid's R&D'

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2008

Ranbaxy Laboratories on Tuesday announced a business alliance with Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals across multiple geographies and therapies, for finished dosage formulations and bulk drugs. The new alliance will explore new products and markets without disturbing the existing alliances. The deal is independent of any commitment related to management control and is a pure arm's length, independent strategic biz alliance. Ranbaxy will benefit from Orchid's future products

Tatas to set up ayurveda centre

Tatas to set up ayurveda centre

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2008

In a move to catapult ayurveda to the main stream of healthcare in the country, the Tata Group is setting up the Indian Institute of Ayurveda Integrated Medicine in Bangalore. The institute will function in association with the Department of Science and Technology, and the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, a Bangalore-based NGO that supports traditional healing methods.

Reliance ropes in E&Y for Sasan upgrade

Reliance ropes in E&Y for Sasan upgrade

Rediff.com   17 Apr 2008

Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Power (R-Power) has roped in international consultancy firm Ernst & Young (E&Y) to upgrade its Sasan ultra-mega power project (UMPP) in Madhya Pradesh to conform to the norms for receiving carbon credits.

Dr Reddy's, Strides exposed to raiders?

Dr Reddy's, Strides exposed to raiders?

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2008

Dr Reddy's Laboratories & Strides Arcolabs are at a risk of raiders as their promoter holdings are less than 26%. Promoters of Dr Reddy's have 25.15% stake as on Dec 31, 2007 and the share value of the company has dipped 19.9 per cent since January 1 this year. The Bangalore-based Strides Arcolab had only 18.82% promoter-holding as on Dec 31, 2007. The stock price of the company has gone down 34% in the same period. The promoters are taking steps to correct the situation.

IT firms may see mixed Q4 results

IT firms may see mixed Q4 results

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2008

The fourth quarter (January-March) is usually a weak quarter for the Indian IT companies due to the lesser number of billing days. This time, however, the good news is that the rupee has depreciated by about 1.3 per cent during the quarter. Every increase/decrease of a percentage point in the rupee lowers/adds to the operating (EBIDTA) margins by 30-50 basis points (bps).

German baby foodmaker to enter India in a big way

German baby foodmaker to enter India in a big way

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2008

Germany-based Humana Milchunion eG, one of the largest baby food products and therapeutic multivitamins manufacturers, will soon foray into India and neighbouring markets in a big way.

Indian pharmaceutical M&As see unhealthy decline

Indian pharmaceutical M&As see unhealthy decline

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2008

While the April to September period (H1) saw as many as eight major deals worth over Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion), the second half of the year saw a sharp drop in the value of such deals to about Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion). Though the number of deals in H1 and H2 is almost the same, the sharp decline in value in the second half indicates a clear change in outlook and strategy of companies, say industry experts.

R-Power to spend Rs 3,000 cr to fuel Sasan project

R-Power to spend Rs 3,000 cr to fuel Sasan project

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2008

Reliance Power Limited, the flagship company of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), plans to invest about Rs 2,500-3,000 crore (Rs 25-30 billion) over a period of three years, to develop three coal mines to fuel its Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project in Madhya Pradesh. Reliance Power currently has access to coal reserves of about one billion tonnes in India and abroad, including a coal mine in Indonesia, which it acquired recently.

Sun Pharma US arm told to recall diabetes drug

Sun Pharma US arm told to recall diabetes drug

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2008

The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has asked Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, the US subsidiary of Mumbai-based Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, to withdraw many batches of its generic Metformin Hydrochloride tablets used for treating diabetes, citing efficacy and quality issues. According to a USFDA Class II withdrawal announced on March 19, Caraco will have to withdraw seven lots of Metformin Hydrochloride in bottles of 100, 500 and 1000 tablets each.

Nanotechnology: Great opportunity for innovators

Nanotechnology: Great opportunity for innovators

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2008

The next time you buy a shirt or trouser that claims to be stain- and wrinkle-free, thank nanotechnology for it. The Indian government has allocated Rs 1,500 crore (Rs 15 billion) for the development of nanotechnology which involves studying and working with matter on an ultra-small scale. The nanotech market globally is expected to cross $1 trillion by 2010. In India, the maximum research in nanotechnology is taking place in the biotechnology and medicine segments.

Slipping into a slowdown

Slipping into a slowdown

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2008

India Inc looks all set to grow at a slow pace in the current financial year. That is, if the financial performance of Corporate India for the first nine months of 2007-2008 is any indicator of things to come.

Matrix Labs' Belgian buy turns sour

Matrix Labs' Belgian buy turns sour

Rediff.com   29 Feb 2008

Analysts feel this decision is yet another example of big-ticket acquisitions turning sour for Indian pharma firms, as happened in the case of Dr Reddy's acquisition of Betapharm of Germany for Rs 2,250 crore (Rs 22.5 billion).

Sun Pharma challenges J&J's drug patent

Sun Pharma challenges J&J's drug patent

Rediff.com   28 Feb 2008

Mumbai-based Sun Pharmaceuticals has filed a post-grant opposition with the Mumbai patent office against a product patent granted to the extended release version of Johnson and Johnson's (J&J) blockbuster drug Risperdal, used in the treatment of psychological disorders and schizophrenia.

Sun Pharma buys 9% more in Taro

Sun Pharma buys 9% more in Taro

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2008

Sun Pharma has increased its stake in Israel's Taro by buying 9.5% more, raising its total holding to 34.4 per cent.

Sensex to be at 22,600 by Dec-end: UBS

Sensex to be at 22,600 by Dec-end: UBS

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2008

Report sees the index at 16,000 points in the worst-case scenario.

India Inc's margins shrink on higher costs

India Inc's margins shrink on higher costs

Rediff.com   14 Feb 2008

The rising cost of production and interest outgo have shrunk operating margins by 53 basis points to 15.16 per cent in the quarter ended December 2007, while net profit margin has slipped 39 basis points to 9.31 per cent as compared to 9.70 per cent in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

Asian nations unite against spurious drugs trade

Asian nations unite against spurious drugs trade

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2008

The initiative will include special training for Customs and drug regulatory officials to identify spurious drugs, their origin, distribution chain and follow-up action to raid premises and book culprits, in coordination with regulatory and police officials of various countries.