P B Jayakumar In Mumbai

Stories by P B Jayakumar In Mumbai

Ranbaxy deal may spur hostile bids in India

Ranbaxy deal may spur hostile bids in India

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2008

Aurobindo pharma, cipla, orchid chemicals are the prominent takeover targets.

Unwell? Get counselling before treatment

Unwell? Get counselling before treatment

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2008

Health experts point out that it will take decades for India to reach the level of health education and infrastructure in developed countries. Our per capita health expenditure is estimated at $23, which is only 6.1 per cent of the gross domestic production.

Wanbury eyes contract research firms in US

Wanbury eyes contract research firms in US

Rediff.com   16 May 2008

"We are looking at targets with a bottom line of Rs 50-60 crore (Rs 500-600 million) to expand our CRAMS business in various markets," said Ashok Shinkar, director, Wanbury. The company plans to increase its turnover to over Rs 900 crore (Rs 9 billion) within the next three years.

Pharmaceutical firms opt for inlicensing

Pharmaceutical firms opt for inlicensing

Rediff.com   15 May 2008

According to analysts, Indian drug makers are forging alliances with overseas companies such as CD Pharma, Gnosis SpA, Crawford Healthcare and Syrio Pharma to sell drugs for chronic and acute cases. According to analysts, Indian drug makers are forging alliances with overseas companies such as CD Pharma, Gnosis SpA, Crawford Healthcare and Syrio Pharma to sell drugs for chronic and acute cases.

Novartis' Voveran regains top position

Novartis' Voveran regains top position

Rediff.com   5 May 2008

Voveran, Novartis India's flagship pain killer medicine, has become the largest selling domestic drug with sales of more than Rs 11 crore (Rs 110 million) in March 2008, displacing Pfizer India's cough and cold syrup Corex, which had sales of Rs 10 crore (Rs 100 million). Cipla, on the other hand, maintained its leadership position as the largest domestic pharmaceutical company edging out Ranbaxy Laboratories with a market share of 5.24 per cent.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.