Cover Story
- In 2001, Lupin flagged off the Lupin Research Park in Pune, a centralised research centre.
- Habil Khorakiwala, Chairman, Wockhardt, like many of the CEOs BT spoke to, is keen to have a new drug on the market in five years.
- After working for two decades with big Pharma colossus Bristol Myers-Squib, Rashmi Bharbaiya returned to India four years ago to pursue his dreams of making the country a hot spot for drug discovery.
- True to its name, Biocon entered the biopharma market a decade ago after initially being a producer of industrial enzymes. Initially, the focus was on generics, one of the main objectives being to understand the regulatory issues.
- Conventional strategy in the Indian drug industry till date has been to wring the US generics market, along with Europe and even the domestic market, for all its worth, and pump those gains into drug discovery.
- Drug discovery is fraught with uncertainty, shrugs Ajay Piramal. But the Chairman of the innovation-driven Nicholas Piramal India Ltd (NPIL) appears at ease in such perilous environs.
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- When the drug molecule carrying his name let him down, Kallam Anji Reddy, the scientist Founder-Chairman of Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, hinged all his hopes on the Lord.
From the editor
The outcome in drug discovery may be fraught with many more uncertainties than a game of chess is-after all, in chess you or your opponent can win or both end a game in a draw. "SMS 2.0" takes off
Planning to sign up for the do-not-call registry or already have? Don’t bother. Marketers have figured out another way to reach you, the mobile phone user. They’re doing just fine in India, thank you. Can videos and brands work for each other? The Clarks Group of hotels enters the home-stay segment. Canara Bank wants to be a super-speciality supermarket. Another ad honcho gets lured by the great outdoors. Against all odds, it launches a good looking step-thru. Jagran Prakashan Ltd (JPL), which has topped round two of IRS 2007 with a readership of 53.6 million for its flagship brand, Dainik Jagran, has unleashed a slew of activities that launch it into new spaces. Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG), it appears, is drawing up plans of a serious foray into IT services. The group won’t comment, but it appears Ambani is willing to set up a war chest of $2 billion (Rs 8,000 crore) to exponentially grow Tech Reliance’s small headcount. Ever wondered why your 256 kbps broadband connection never seemed like broadband? Well, it seems service providers have been short-changing consumers. Investigations by the telecom regulator, TRAI, have revealed that many operators had circumvented the rule by offering services with speeds “up to 256 kbps”. That is, a maximum speed of 256 kbps as against DoT’s rule of 256 kbps minimum. Some time in mid-2007, those shadowy “investment banking sources” of the Indian business media let on that Infosys was preparing to acquire the France headquartered IT consultancy firm Capgemini. Last fortnight, that mill was grinding furiously with the same rumour—only this time it’s not Infosys but Wipro. So what is Anil Ambani going to do with the Rs 10,000-odd crore he plans to raise via an initial public offering (IPO) of Reliance Power, a subsidiary that’s 51 per cent owned by Reliance Energy? The IPO will part-finance Reliance Power’s game plan for putting up 7,060 MW of capacity. For years they’ve slung mud, called each other names and, when not busy doing that, had their respective award shindigs. The Indian advertising industry (fraternity wouldn’t quite be the right word) has, for some reason, had two apex bodies: The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and the Ad Club of Mumbai. A year ago, when cement prices pierced the Rs 200 barrier (for a 50 kg bag), Finance Minister in his Budget speech attempted to keep manufacturers in check by slapping an excise duty on the product if its price crossed a particular limit. The move backfired, what with cement producers simply passing on the increase in excise to customers. By the time you read this, the Tatas’ Rs 1-lakh car and to a lesser extent the new Indica will be the talk of the town. But at the other end of the spectrum, there are also the premium auto brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, which Tata Motors looks set to acquire from Ford. From the outside, there is little evidence of the angst locals feel over the proposed (and now seemingly scrapped) establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across Goa. The state may have set the course for the success (or failure) of SEZs. India's highest paid film stars
Surprise! Shah Rukh Khan is not the highest paid film star in India; in fact, he's not even among the Top 5. And here is a shocker: despite the hype, Aishwarys Rai does not even figure in the Top 15. The multilateral system that has underpinned world trade for over 50 years is facing serious challenges. The BT 50 index Developing nations see a robust growth in the inflow of remittances. Remittance flows to developing countries to reach $20 billion in 2007. Some media reports had put the figure at a whopping Rs 350 crore for the Rs 70-crore film—the costliest ever in India. The amount raised by companies through public issues in 2007, according to Prime Database and Bloomberg The government’s efforts to give more teeth to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has come in for censure from Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).UP joins, VAT reaches all states
Uttar Pradesh has also hopped onto the Value Added Tax (VAT) bandwagon. Trade and industry in the state have been brought under VAT from January 1, 2008. The competition, clutter and the fragmented media environment are forcing advertisers and television broadcasters to enter into multi-year contracts with each other to assure a regular flow of ad revenues and, in turn, offer advertisers assured spots on television."India is our key R&D destination"
David Goulden, Executive Vice President and CFO of EMC, a $11.1-billion (Rs 44,400 crore) information management company, spoke to BT’s Rahul Sachitanand on the company’s evolution and plans for India. Excerpts: Muscular federalism may threaten the India growth story. The fortnight’s burning question - Are SEBI’S new guidelines on insider trading good enough to stop this practice? A well-compiled list
21 for 21 was compiled well and includes leaders and entrepreneurs from non-conventional sectors as well. Developing markets are key to PepsiCo's growth: Indra K. Nooyi
As the Chairman and CEO of the $35 billion PepsiCo, Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi, 52, has her hands full, even though she is visiting her hometown for a vacation. In a free-wheeling interview with Rahul Sachitanand, she discusses her plans for PepsiCo, the industry and even her beloved baseball team, the New York Yankees. Of women directors, mile-high clubs and John Abraham
The Business Today-Aditya Birla Group Acumen 2007 finals saw the best B-school talent quiz and debate about women, mile-high clubs and breaking the glass ceiling, among other things. The 13th Business Today-Honda Pro-Am of Champions’ eastern leg saw some keen competition among Kolkata’s corporate bigwigs. Can this marriage work?
Kingfisher and Deccan are like chalk and cheese, with different operating philosophies and different target segments. The two airlines have different business models and cater to different passenger segments. What, then, is the rationale behind their merger? Kingfisher in Europe & US, Deccan in Asia: Mallya Kingfisher to fly abroad this year: PatelWind under their wingsBeyond the horizon If cash is going out of fashion, thanks to the credit card, it won’t be long before plastic makes way for another payment system. And this one could well be in your mobile handset. Indian pharma majors betting it big
India’s handful of innovation-driven pharma companies are running through hundreds of crores of rupees in their endeavour to put a new drug on the global market. There have been a few setbacks along the way, but nobody’s giving up—not yet. India’s cyber warsProduced by: Starry-eyed entrepreneurs & vcsDirected by: No one in particularStarring: Just about everyoneStarry-eyed entrepreneurs and eager vcs, coupled with the medium’s relatively low entry barrier, are spawning legions of dotcom clones in india. what are these guys thinking? Indian pharma's balancing act
Among the many industries that cater to our wants and needs, pharmaceuticals has to be the most unique. Makeover for mishti
In a bid to take their delicacies to a larger audience, Bengal’s sweet makers are adding a dash of international flavour. New Year bonanza
This winter, take your pick from the hottest launches that are begging for your attention.MirrorÂ… make it your best friend
Just getting the right outfit is not the end of it all. One wrong shade on the face and your entire look will take a beating… so, read on and get yourself the right look.The finest wheels your money can get
It’s a tough act, balancing your needs and your budget when choosing and buying that dream vehicle. Find out which automobile is just right for you and yet doesn’t punch a large hole in your pocket in this issue’s cover story.The best rides for every budget
This will be the year of the automobiles. And trust us; it won’t just be the Rs 1-lakh Tata car or the small cars from the Suzuki stable that will vie for your eyeballs and your wallet in 2008. Which are the fastest and smartest cars you can import? BT More gives you a few tips. With the arrival of Ferretti in India, luxury yachts are the topic of boardroom conversations. Which are the best yachts in India and how much do they cost? BT MORE helps you find out. Unlike the French, who make cerebral wines, the Italians make wines that are fresh, that go well with food and that can be drunk here and now without being intellectualised. One of the world’s favourite holiday destinations, the Maldives is sinking rapidly. This is probably your last chance to see these magical islands. Go pack your bags. Remember these golden oldies? BT More took some of the oldest mobile handsets, inserted new SIM cards into them and tried out various features. The results are worth a read. Ever since 2737 B.C., when tea was believed to have been brewed for the first time, it has remained a favourite drink for millions around the world. Tea is still the second most consumed liquid after water. A look at what is in the cuppa that kick-starts your day. Dazzle the damsels this winter at every wedding you attend (except yours). Lest too many exchanged vows leave you feeling confused, we came up with four ensembles that can solve your sartorial dilemmas. Pal Zileri’s master tailor Bruno Magnaguagno speaks about how precise measurements and cuts play a defining role in creating the perfect suit, and provides expert advice on the latest trends in formal wear. Driving around on a swank set of wheels does not necessarily mean you have to break the bank, or rather break into a bank. There are some great deals going on a few very desirable pre-owned, imported cars. When you’re at the top, where do you go from there? In this new music review section, we feature new releases from icons who need no introduction. All three have come out with albums that boast of some of the best works they’ve done. Collector’s items these. India ‘lives’ in different eras even as Indians happily co-exist. In this issue, we give you glimpses into three new books—all first of their kind attempts by the authors—which delve into different cultures, beliefs and surroundings that we see around us even today. A chronic back pain is the most common occurrence for all those sitting and working on their laptops or desktops through the day. BT More seeks expert advice on how to cure a bad back through four simple asanas. Want to indulge like there’s no tomorrow? Try out one of these amazing new chill zones. Enjoy the aroma of freshly made chocolate while you discover some great new dishes. Scotch whisky itself does not seem to do the trick anymore for a large number of tipplers. So, Scotch makers are trying different things to add some zing to this age-old favourite. Asked what is the biggest hindrance in the way of a club golfer achieving nirvana or at least a consistent level of skill in the game, Llewellyn came up with this brief but well thought out answer. “Ego,” he replied. Help, Tarun!
The mixed sentiment of the last quarter continues into the New Year, reveals the sixth quarterly BT-TeamLease Employment Outlook Survey. Surge in demand for auto design engineers. The new Henry Ford
Over the last 12 months, the 70-year-old Chairman of the Tata Group has wrested back the position of #1 Indian business house. The top picks for 2008
There are still quite a few undervalued stocks that could see big upsides in the new year. We shortlist 10 such gems. Short-selling makes a comeback. It can be rewarding for investors, but there are downsides as well. Online and offline brokering work better in combination than alone. Property investing is set to become hassle-free. When Mutual Fund investors started out at the beginning of 2007, many viewed the year ahead with circumspection. It has been a great year for mutual funds, but some stood out from the others. Insurance rates nosedive
Insurance rates have nosedived in the general insurance industry following the IRDA decision to deregulate the market in phases from January 1, 2007.Delhi Metro claims carbon credits
The United Nations has registered the Metro (guided largely by Managing Director E. Sridharan, pictured alongside) under the clean development mechansim, enabling it to claim carbon credits. A pictorial delight
This has all the makings of a picture-perfect dream. Punj Lloyd’s Chairman Atul Punj has launched the group’s Photographic Foundation and its first limited edition calendar for the year 2008. That sinking feeling
In Madhya Pradesh, Sardar Sarovar oustees are still battling corrupt officials and greedy middlemen to claim fair and prompt rehabilitation. It's raining IPOs
With a strong line-up of public issues, big demand from investors and bullish secondary market, 2008 promises to be another good year for the primary market. Yes, the stock markets have been on a roll for four years now and the Sensex is at 20,000 plus. But a surging economy is expected to keep the FIIs interested in India this year. Global crude prices
Rising crude prices (which have topped $100 per barrel on intraday trade) are playing spoilsport. It’s bad news for the economy as an oil price hike is now a certainty. What is it? It isn’t steamed Tibetan dumplings; rather, it is short for Mobile Monday. They are derivatives contracts introduced by both NSE and BSE to improve liquidity and attract more retail investors. Easier norms for mergers
The government is making efforts to simplify norms for mergers. Under a new proposal, companies may be exempt from seeking High Court sanctions. Finally, TRAI has decided to do away with the Access Deficit Charge (ADC), a levy paid by private players to BSNL for providing services in the rural areas. SEBI is making renewed efforts to crack down on the menace of insider trading. News Maker - Anand Mahindra
Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), admits that he isn’t a sprightly young man anymore, but the 52-year-old has been tying up deals with a slew of international manufacturers. 
