Sohini Das And Aneesh Phadnis

Stories by Sohini Das And Aneesh Phadnis

Big pharma firms shift tack, look to bet on trade generics as volumes dip

Big pharma firms shift tack, look to bet on trade generics as volumes dip

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2023

Trade generic drugs (medicines that are sold directly through distributors) are fast becoming a key segment for domestic pharma firms as volume growth slows in the overall market. Big companies like Cipla and Alkem have a significant presence in the segment but recently, players like Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) have also entered this market. What is driving big pharma's focus on trade generics? The volume growth in the Indian Pharma Market (IPM) has come down from 5.6 per cent in FY16 to 0.1 per cent in FY23.

M&M picks 3.5% stake in RBL Bank for Rs 417 cr, eyes to acquire more

M&M picks 3.5% stake in RBL Bank for Rs 417 cr, eyes to acquire more

Rediff.com   27 Jul 2023

Diversified business conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) has picked up a 3.53 per cent stake in private sector lender RBL Bank for Rs. 417 crore. "We may consider further investment, subject to pricing, regulatory approvals, and required procedures. However, in no circumstance will it exceed 9.9 per cent," M&M said in an exchange notification on Wednesday. Shares of RBL Bank jumped 7.1 per cent to settle at Rs. 238.8 apiece on the BSE on Wednesday, close to their 52-week high of Rs. 242.1.

Tata Motors applies for PLI benefits for Tiago electric car

Tata Motors applies for PLI benefits for Tiago electric car

Rediff.com   27 Jul 2023

Tata Motors, the market leader in electric four-wheeler space, has sought incentives for its Tiago EV under the government's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, group chief financial officer P B Balaji said on Tuesday. The Mumbai-headquartered firm has applied for all variants of the Tiago, which recently hit a sales milestone of 10,000 units. "The Automotive Research Association of India certification is done.

US drug shortage, stable pricing set to boost pharma revenues

US drug shortage, stable pricing set to boost pharma revenues

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2023

An acute drug shortage in the US and stable pricing along with product launches are likely to boost revenues of India's pharmaceutical companies during the first quarter of this financial year, analysts said. Most brokerages estimate a top line growth of around 14-15 per cent, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) growth of 24-30 per cent for Q1 of FY24. Hospitals are, however, likely to report lower occupancy rates, and diagnostics companies may witness an impact from delayed monsoon.

Price hikes, lower input costs to aid auto firms' Q1

Price hikes, lower input costs to aid auto firms' Q1

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2023

Auto industry volumes have grown by 2.5 per cent overall, led by domestic sales of three-wheelers, two-wheelers and passenger vehicles (PVs) in the first quarter of this financial year. Analysts predict an 18 per cent growth in revenues for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and profit growth of 69 per cent year-on-year (YoY). However, on a sequential basis, a decline in revenues as well as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) margins is expected.

What is Schedule M and why it's mandatory for all pharma units

What is Schedule M and why it's mandatory for all pharma units

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2023

With an eye on improving quality assurance in the wake of increased global scrutiny on Indian pharma products, the Centre on Tuesday said that Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 will be made compulsory for small and medium scale manufacturers in a phased manner. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked micro-small and medium enterprises in pharma manufacturing to move towards good manufacturing practices (GMP) through self regulation. "This will help in quality assurance and also reduce compliance burden," Mandaviya.

How Air India Got Funds To Buy Planes

How Air India Got Funds To Buy Planes

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2023

'The funds were arranged from multiple banks at a very competitive rate and converted into dollars at the best rates.'

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

The EV industry is at an inflection point and batteries will play a critical role ahead -- batteries and related components typically constitute 35-45 per cent of an EV's costs.

'Mercedes To Launch 10 Cars In 2023'

'Mercedes To Launch 10 Cars In 2023'

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

'And a majority will be in the top-end vehicle range.'

By 2025 Indian Trucks Will Have AC Cabin

By 2025 Indian Trucks Will Have AC Cabin

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

'Instead of ACs, the government should do something to increase our salary.'

2,300 Indian Students Return To Ukraine!

2,300 Indian Students Return To Ukraine!

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2023

About half of the students, who have been affected by the war, have taken admission to universities in other countries.

Regulatory woes torpedo PE/VC deals in e-pharma sector

Regulatory woes torpedo PE/VC deals in e-pharma sector

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2023

With regulatory uncertainties clouding the future of online pharmacies, deals in the space are showing signs of slowdown, as also fresh investment from private-equity (PE) firms and venture capitalists (VCs). The data from Venture Intelligence shows so far in 2023 (as of June 13) there has been one deal with PE-VC funding. In 2022 there were four, a sharp fall from the 12, totalling $1,520 million, the sector had attracted in 2021.

Lenders set to clear Rs 400 crore to give wings to Go First

Lenders set to clear Rs 400 crore to give wings to Go First

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2023

Go First's lenders have agreed in principle to support the airline's request for Rs 400 crore interim funding to restart its operations. The airline temporarily halted operations on May 2, and its insolvency plea was admitted by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on May 10. On Wednesday, the airline's resolution professional Shailendra Ajmera submitted a business plan and a request for over Rs 400 crore funding to airline's committee of creditors (CoC).

US drug shortage a shot in the arm for Indian pharmaceutical companies

US drug shortage a shot in the arm for Indian pharmaceutical companies

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2023

Drug shortages in the US are at an all-time high, and price erosion has stabilised, which could benefit Indian pharmaceutical (pharma) companies with a US focus, according to analysts. Nuvama Research analysts said that US price erosion seems to have normalised to its old levels of 6-8 per cent and volumes are picking up with easing of inventory. Similarly, an ICICIdirect analyst noted: "Price erosion intensity has now moderated to a single digit and is expected to tone down a

IndiGo has flexibility to decide 2035 size, says CEO Pieter Elbers

IndiGo has flexibility to decide 2035 size, says CEO Pieter Elbers

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2023

IndiGo has the flexibility to decide what would be the precise size of its aircraft fleet by 2035, its chief executive officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers said on Monday. IndiGo - the country's largest airline - has 312 aircraft in its fleet. Elbers said the airline will double in size by 2030, indicating the airline will have a fleet of about 625 by 2030.

Nigeria flags 2 India-made drugs as substandard, having toxins

Nigeria flags 2 India-made drugs as substandard, having toxins

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2023

Oral paracetamol and another cough medicine manufactured by companies based in Mumbai and Punjab were found to be "sub-standard or found to be containing toxins", reports Sohini Das.

Can Maruti Jimny Compete With The Thar?

Can Maruti Jimny Compete With The Thar?

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2023

Jimny will be priced between Rs 12.7 lakh and Rs 15.05 lakh.

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Air India upgrading crew rostering, customer notification system: Wilson

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2023

Air India has been a subject of its passengers' ire this week as more than half of its flights have been delayed, primarily because of an old crew rostering system. Due to the existing system, the airline has not been able to handle the disruption created by cyclone 'Biparjoy' on India's western coast. The sudden grounding of two planes also added to the carrier's woes.

Jettwings, new regional airline for Northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

Jettwings, new regional airline for Northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

Rediff.com   15 Jun 2023

Sanjive Narain, owner of Assam's oldest news channel, and Sanjay Aditya Singh, promoter of a cabin crew training academy, are coming together to launch a regional airline providing business and premium economy services in the Northeast. Jettwings Airways will be based in Guwahati and will connect places with twin-class Embraer E175 aircraft. The airline has secured an initial no-objection clearance from the civil aviation ministry and plans to launch services in October.

Better chip supply fuels passenger vehicle production by 16%: Siam

Better chip supply fuels passenger vehicle production by 16%: Siam

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2023

Amid better semiconductor chip supplies, the Indian automotive industry posted an 8 percent growth in production of vehicles across categories for the month of May, with three-wheelers (20 per cent) and passenger vehicles (16 per cent) leading the pack. Exports, however, dipped 21 per cent at an industry level. The industry also recorded its highest-ever May wholesales of domestic passenger vehicles (334,802 units), riding on high demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and better supplies of semiconductor chips.