Sanofi, a French pharmaceutical business, said on June 2 that it has agreed to purchase Blueprint Medicines Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company based in the United States that specialises in systemic mastocytosis, a rare immunological condition.
Sanofi would pay $129.00 per share in cash under the terms of the transaction, which translates to an equity value of about $9.1 billion. According to Paul Hudson, CEO of Sanofi, the acquisition is a strategic move ahead for the company’s immunology and rare disease portfolios.
It improves Sanofi’s pipeline and speeds up our development into the top immunology business in the world.
Acquisition Adding More Muscle to Sanofi’s Portfolio
The agreement will expand Sanofi’s portfolio to include a promising advanced and early-stage immunology pipeline, as well as the US and EU-approved medication Ayvakit/Ayvakyt (avapritinib), which is used to treat rare immunology diseases.
According to the companies, Blueprint’s well-established reputation among immunologists, dermatologists, and allergists is also anticipated to strengthen Sanofi’s expanding immunology pipeline.
For advanced and indolent systemic mastocytosis, a rare immunological illness marked by the accumulation and activation of aberrant mast cells in the gastrointestinal tract, skin, bone marrow, and other organs, Ayvakit/Ayvakyt is the only licensed medication.
Along with BLU-808, a highly effective and selective oral wild-type KIT inhibitor that may be used to treat a variety of immunological disorders, the acquisition will also provide elenestinib, a next-generation treatment for systemic mastocytosis.
Contingent Value Right to Blueprint Shareholders
At the closing of the transaction, Blueprint shareholders will receive $129.00 per share in cash in addition to one non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR), which will grant the holder the right to two potential milestone payments of $2 and $4 per CVR, respectively, for the accomplishment of future development and regulatory milestones for BLU-808.
On a fully diluted basis, the transaction’s entire equity value, including any future CVR payments, is roughly $9.5 billion.
Hudson said that Sanofi still has a sizable capacity for other purchases and that the deal complements recent acquisitions of other early-stage medications that continue to be the company’s primary area of interest.
About Sanofi
An AI-powered biopharma firm focused on research and development, Sanofi is dedicated to enhancing people’s lives and fostering remarkable growth.
With a cutting-edge pipeline that could help millions more, it claims that the company uses its profound knowledge of the immune system to develop medications and vaccines that treat and safeguard millions of people worldwide.
Its team is driven by a single goal: to improve people’s lives by pursuing scientific miracles. This motivates Sanofi to advance and have a positive impact on its customers and the communities it serves by tackling the most pressing social, environmental, and healthcare issues of the recent times.
Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by Alzheon.
Neurodegenerative diseases are disorders that result in the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, negatively impacting cognitive and physical abilities.
As per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, around 50 million Americans are affected by over 600 neurologic disorders. And over 6 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s.
Drug discovery and development for neurodegenerative disorders is a complex process involving multi-stakeholders. Alzheon is an industry-leading clinical-stage biotechnology company involved in developing medicines for neurodegenerative diseases.
This article will tell you everything about Alzheon, from its startup story, founder, and products to funding, growth, investors, and plan.
Alzheon is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a Phase 3 program in Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, it is committed to developing innovative medicines by directly addressing the underlying pathology of neurodegenerative disorders.
The company leverages its expertise in inhibiting protein misfolding and aggregation to develop these disease-modifying treatments.
Alzheon – Industry
In 2021, the global biotechnology market size was estimated to be USD 1,023.92 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.9% from 2023 to 2030. The industry is driven by robust government support via initiatives to modernize regulatory framework, improvements in approval processes & reimbursement policies, and standardized clinical studies.
The Covid-19 pandemic positively impacted the global market by presenting increased opportunities and advancements for drug clinical research, development, and manufacturing of vaccines for diseases.
In addition to Alzheon, several other companies are involved in clinical research and developing drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. Biogen, Cleveland Clinic, Aquinnah, Genentech, Lilly, etc., are some companies supporting and conducting clinical trials for developing medicines to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Alzheon – Founders and Team
Martin Tolar is the founder of Alzheon. He completed his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and his Residency in Neurology from Boston Medical Center. Moreover, he graduated from the University of Michigan-Stephen M. Ross in Executive Management in 2006.
He has been an active Scientific Board member and Business Advisory Board & Scientific Review Board member at The Alzheimer Foundation and Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, respectively.
Presently, he is the president and CEO of Alzheon, Inc. In addition, Martin is the Founder and Chairman of the Executive Board of the International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center (INDRC).
Martin Tolar – Founder, President, and CEO of Alzheon
Alzheon is a team of over 20 experienced neuroscientists, pharmacologists, drug developers, clinicians, and business leaders.
Alzheon – Startup Story
A veteran of Alzheimer’s drug programs, Martin Tolar, is the founder of Alzheon. He founded the company in July 2013. It was in April 2015 that the company completed its $10 million Series A round and used the funds to commence the Phase 1b bridging clinical program for ALZ-801. This clinical program was completed in July 2016, and in 2017, ALZ-801 received a Fast Track designation for the FDA.
The company appointed former IV AX President Neil Flanzraich, JD, as the Board of Directors Vice Chairman in August 2018. Moreover, in August 2020, the US National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health, awarded a $47 million grant to Alzheon over five years. This grant was given to support the Phase 3 clinical trial of ALZ-801 that started in May 2021.
Alzheon – Mission and Vision
Alcheon strives to bring transformational therapies to patients with Alzheimer’s and other devastating neurodegenerative disorders.
Alzheon – Business Model
At Alzheon, the team uses its scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to apply a precision medicine approach to individual genetic and biological information so that the company can advance in the challenging field of therapeutics for Alzheimer’s and many other neurological disorders.
Alzheon – Products and Services
ALZ-801- Alzheon’s lead investigational product- is in Phase 3 for Alzheimer’s. It is an oral small-molecule prodrug of tramiprosate capable of entirely blocking the formation of neurotoxic soluble amyloid oligomers in the brain.
An easy-to-take tablet, ALZ-801, is evaluated on clinical trials constituting 2,000+ Alzheimer’s patients and, thus, builds on the safety and efficacy profile of its active compound tramiprosate.
Alzheon has undertaken 9 funding rounds in which it has raised a total amount of $138.2 million. Its latest funding round – Venture Round, was conducted on January 11, 2023, and raised $1.7 million. 3 investors fund the company, including National Institute on Aging and Ally Bridge Group.
FDA approval of debated Alzheimer’s drug is tremendous for society: Alzheon CEO
Alzheon – Growth
The estimated annual revenue of Alzheon in 2022 is $1.6 million per year ($73,182 per employee), with its current valuation standing at 1.3 billion. Moreover, the monthly web visits grew by 509.72%, with 18,505 visits. And its employee count increased by 22% last year.
Alzheon – Partners
Alzheon has entered into a collaboration and license agreement with IOCB (Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences) to develop the first Alzheimer’s diagnostic assay to measure neurotoxic beta-amyloid oligomers in the human brain.
Alzheon’s next-generation candidate is ALZ-1903- a new chemical entity that is a more potent inhibitor of amyloid misfolding.
FAQs
Who is the founder of Alzheon?
Martin Tolar founded Alzheon in 2013.
What is Alzheon and what does it do?
Alzheon is a private clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a Phase 3 program in Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, it is committed to developing innovative medicines by directly addressing the underlying pathology of neurodegenerative disorders.
Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by Biocon Limited.
The healthcare marketplace is drastically evolving with many therapeutic solutions. Biopharmaceutical is one such discovery in the healthcare sector that is treated as one of the most significant achievements in modern science and technology. The biopharmaceutical industry is different from pharmaceutical startups in terms of the manufacturing process.
Biopharmaceutical products or medicines are manufactured in or, extracted from living organisms or biological sources, unlike pharmaceuticals, which are manufactured using chemical substances.
Known as an international pioneer, Biocon Limited, is an Indian biopharmaceutical firm founded by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in 1978. The company is based in Bangalore, India, and produces generic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that are distributed in over 120 countries worldwide.
Founded in 1973, Biocon Limited produces both new biologics and biosimilar insulins and antibodies, and generic APIs across the globe covering more than 120 countries, the major being the USA and Europe markets. The company consists of a talented and dedicated workforce of 13,500 employees.
For 40 years, Biocon has been consistently creating a culture of continuous innovation with four global businesses such as – generics, biosimilars, research services, and novel biologics. Its research and development are focused on prevention, relief, treatment, and medicines to enhance the lives of millions of patients. They believe in offering affordable quality medicines for many people. It strives to give reasonable access to a specialty portfolio of medications to everyone, everywhere.
As a global brand, Biocon is leveraging economies of scale by consistently investing in the development of new treatments for diabetes, cancer, and immunology. Biocon’s subsidiaries are –
Biocon Biologics and Syngene International Limited (Syngene).
Biocon Limited – Industry details
The Covid-19 impact has led to the growth of the Biopharmaceuticals industry in recent times. As per records, the global biopharma industry market growth is expected to reach $26.49 billion in 2028. This growth will see a CAGR of 12.6% during the period from 2021 to 2028.
Biocon Limited – Founder and Team
Biocon Limited is founded by Indian billionaire entrepreneur, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw in 1978.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Founder of Biocon
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Awarded the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 and the first woman to head the board of governors of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an inspiration for many women. She was born to Gujarati parents on March 23, 1953, in Bangalore, Karnataka. Rasendra Mazumdar, her father, was the head brewmaster of United Breweries.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw attended Mount Carmel Institution in Bangalore, a women’s college affiliated with Bangalore University, where she studied biology and zoology, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1973. Listening to her father’s advice, Kiran went to Ballarat College, Melbourne University in Australia to study malting and brewing attaining a master’s degree in brewing in 1975.
Before Biocon, Kiran was a trainee brewer at Carlton and United Breweries in Melbourne, as well as a trainee maltster at Barrett Brothers and Burston. Between 1975 and 1977, she also served as a technical consultant at Jupiter Breweries Limited in Calcutta and as a technical manager at Standard Maltings Corporation in Baroda.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has done many philanthropic activities such as the Biocon Foundation. Through this foundation, she has supported Arogya Raksha Yojana (Disease Protection Program/Health Help) and numerous other health and education programs. She has also supported the Bangalore Agenda Task Force, to improve the city’s infrastructure and standard of living.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is the Chairperson of Biocon Limited. In her lifetime, she is the recipient of many prestigious awards. Just to name a few, she was conferred the prestigious Quality Ratna Award for the year 2020 by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy, she received the Othmer Gold Medal in 2014 for exceptional contributions to the progress of science and chemistry. Kiran also received the Padma Shri in 1989 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005 from the government of India. Not to forget, she was ranked #68 on the Forbes list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2020.
Kiran is married to John Shaw. He is a Scotsman and Indophile who was Chairman and Managing Director of a renowned textiles MNC Madura Coats before joining Biocon in 1999 and serving as Vice-Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Biocon for almost 22 years before retiring recently in July 2021.
Dr. Arun Chandavarkar
Dr. Arun Chandavarkar is the Managing Director of Biocon Biologics Limited. He formerly served as the CEO and Joint Managing Director of Biocon Ltd. from April 2014 until November 2019, when he left after nearly three decades with the company. Before becoming CEO, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Biocon.
Dr. Chandavarkar earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai and a doctorate in biochemical engineering from MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Under his management, the company has made significant investments in cutting-edge R&D and efficient, compliant operations, resulting in a distinct and differentiated product portfolio that includes fermentation-derived complex generics, biosimilars, and novel biologics aimed at a global patient population. For the 2016-17 fiscal year, Dr. Chandavarkar chaired the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) National Committee on Biotechnology.
Siddharth Mittal
Siddharth Mittal is the CEO and Managing Director of Biocon Ltd. He has more than 20 years of comprehensive international expertise in strategic finance and accounting, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, and general management.
Siddharth Mittal was formerly Vice-President, Finance, and Corporate Controller at Symphony Teleca, a renowned US-based international IT business. He began his career in Bengaluru with the audit division of S.R. Batliboi & Co. (the Indian branch of Ernst & Young). He then worked for the US division of Xchanging Plc, an FTSE-listed firm located in London that specializes in business processing, technology, and procurement services.
Siddharth graduated from the Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce in Pune with a Bachelor of Commerce. He is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and a Colorado Certified Public Accountant. Presently, he is also Co-Chairman of the CII Southern Regional Task Force on Pharmaceuticals and Co-Chairman of the CII Southern Regional Healthcare & Life Sciences 2020 – 21.
Biocon Limited – Startup Story
The story of Biocon started in 1978. It began as a joint venture with an Irish biotech business to develop and export enzymes for the brewing industry internationally. The company then gradually created a solid-state fermentation technique to manufacture innovative bio-enzymes for worldwide clients in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
Unilever Plc purchased its Irish partners in 1989 and produced Biocon India as a member of the Unilever system, which allowed the company to quickly professionalize by adopting worldwide best practices.
In the 1990s, Syngene was established as a ‘pure play’ research services firm catering to the worldwide pharmaceutical industry’s R&D needs. Biocon moved beyond insulins to create monoclonal antibodies.
During its journey, Biocon found that most of the developing world couldn’t afford all the advanced therapeutic solutions. To support its purpose, Biocon raised capital through an IPO in 2004 and sold its enzymes business in 2007. Through constant research and developments, Biocon acquired a worldwide reputation as a genuine biosimilars player through a series of groundbreaking milestones, beginning with the approval of the world’s first bTrastuzumab in India in 2014 and the Japanese approval of bGlargine in 2016. It was the first in the world to receive approval in the United States for bTrastuzumab in 2017 and bPegfilgrastim in 2018.
Biocon’s investments on a global scale helped the company rank among the world’s top 15 biomanufacturing companies.
Currently, Biocon has emerged as one of the leading global biopharmaceutical companies with consolidated revenues of $1.1 billion (Rs 8,396.70 crores) and a more than 15,000 strong workforce.
Biocon Limited – Mission and Vision
Biocon’s vision statement reads, “To enhance global healthcare through innovative and affordable biopharmaceuticals for patients, partners, and healthcare systems across the globe.”
The company aims to deliver high-quality and reasonable healthcare products by prioritizing patients, focusing on science, and sustainable growth.
The mission of Biocon is, “To be an integrated biotechnology enterprise of global distinction”
Biocon Limited – Name, Tagline, Logo
The logo of Biocon can be seen to have a similar appearance to human DNA.
The overall tagline of Biocon as a company is, “Hope.saves lives.”
Biocon also has taglines for each of its subordinates:
Biocon Academy’s tagline is, “Adding Value, Enhancing Skills”
Biocon Limited – Business & Revenue Model
The business model of Biocon can be said to have five global business verticals – Generics, Biosimilars, Research Services, and New biologics, Research and development, and manufacturing of revolutionary biopharmaceutical medications. This developing paradigm is nicely linked with its business objective of offering inexpensive innovation. The company’s integrated business strategy encompasses the whole therapeutic value chain, from pre-clinical discovery to clinical development and beyond.
Biocon has three main business divisions that are its strength and backbone. This consists of – Syngene, Clingene, and Biocon, which are engaged in preclinical, clinical, and commercialization activities, respectively. Its business operations also involve the manufacturing of therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Diabetes, and Immunology.
Biocon’s business also includes developing enormous brand equity with physicians and patients by expanding its footprint into specialist sectors through which it earns its revenue. It has also produced medicines for Covid-19 such as – Alzumab-L, Dynalix, RemWin, etc.
Biocon’s CSR Activities
The company has no space when it comes to serving society. With its motto, “Driving Sustainable Social Change”, the company aims to be devoted to bettering lives and strengthening marginalized communities for a brighter future. The CSR initiatives of Biocon can be divided into two categories:
Biocon Foundation – Through this, Biocon has emphasized many healthcare solutions, providing for the environment and people through programs that promote social and economic inclusion. The company has set up eLAJ Smart Clinic platforms, an Oral Cancer Screening program, did a Community Vaccination Drive, supplied oxygen concentrators, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) monitors, digital X-Ray machines, ultrasound machines, pulse oximeters, and other medical equipment to support the COVID care infrastructure at the Anekal General Hospital and a lot more other social initiatives.
Biocon Academy – In conjunction with JSS University, Mysuru, Biocon Academy, helps to establish an ecosystem for biotech-related skills in India. The programs offered by the academy aim to provide advanced learning and industrial competence to life science graduates and post-graduates through job-skills development, which is required to create a rewarding career in the Biotech sector.
It recently launched a new course in Global Regulatory Affairs. The Academy was established 8 years ago. Till now, more than 850 students have enrolled in the academy.
Biocon is involved in offering many sustainable activities to provide a rewarding workplace through the EHS management system and to improve ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).
Biocon Limited – Revenue & Growth
As per reports, Biocon’s consolidated revenues increased 14% year on year to Rs 83,967 million, led by Biosimilars and Research Services revenue increases of 24% and 19%, respectively. Furthermore, for the fiscal year, Biosimilars earned Rs 34,643 million, Generics earned Rs 23,409 million, and Research Services earned Rs 26,042 million.
The company also claimed that its EBITDA climbed 14% year on year to Rs 21,829 million, with a respectable margin of 26%. Core EBITDA for the year increased 18% to ‘26,690 million, representing a margin of 32% after adjusting for licensing, forex, gain on dilution in Bicara, mark-to-market loss on investments, and R&D expense. Biocon’s net profit was $6,484 million. Certain extraordinary events, mark-to-market losses on investments, and a gain on dilution in Bicara all influenced net profit. After adjusting for these things, Biocon managed to increase its Net Profit by 23% for the whole year.
Biocon has announced that in FY22, Biocon Biologics increased its sales by 24% over the previous year, to Rs 34,643 million, with interchangeable bGlargine achieving double-digit market share in the United States, as well as ongoing improvement in the market share of other major existing products.
Biocon also saw some growth in its business segments. Syngene increased its bio-manufacturing capacity by commissioning a cutting-edge microbial facility and expanding its mammalian plant. Besides this, Biocon Biologics successfully progressed two unpartnered antibody projects to the clinical stage, bUstekinumab and bDenosumab.
Biocon Limited – Funding and Investors
Biocon Biologics has raised $24.4 billion in funding over four rounds. Their most recent fundraising came on January 7, 2021, in the form of a Venture Series Unknown round. Biocon Biologics is supported by four investors. The most recent investors are ADQ and Goldman Sachs.
Date
Funding Round
Fund Amount
Investors
January 7, 2021
Venture Round
₹5.6 billion
ADQ
November 9, 2020
Private Equity Round
₹11.3 billion
Goldman Sachs
July 31, 2020
Private Equity Round
₹2.3 billion
Tata Capital
January 6, 2020
Private Equity Round
₹5.4 billion
True North
Biocon Limited – Mergers and Acquisitions
On February 28, 2021, Biocon Biologics bought Viatris Biosimilars. They paid $3.3 billion for Viatris Biosimilars. Viatris Biosimilars is a USA-based company that has primary areas of focus on Oncology, immunology, endocrinology, ophthalmology, and dermatology.
On September 16, 2021, Biocon Biologics Limited (“BBL”) entered into a merger cooperation agreement with Serum Institute Life Sciences Private Limited (“SILS”) and Covidshield Technologies Private Limited (“CTPL” or Transferor business), a fully owned subsidiary of SILS.
Biocon Limited – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
In 2020, Biocon Biologics released a series of videos with the #StoriesofHope. The campaign was launched on Women’s Day to share the stories of two women who have survived deadly diseases like cancer and breast cancer.
Biocon Limited – Awards and Achievements
Here’s is the list of Biocon’s awards and recognitions in the last few years:
2022
Biocon Group Communication Team moved up to no.6 among 30 Top Corporate Communication Team Nationally
Biocon Biologics was conferred with the prestigious Legal Era Award, “Pharmaceutical In-House Legal Team of the Year” for 2021-22
Biocon Biologics was conferred with the coveted ‘20th Annual Greentech Safety India Award 2021’ during the Safety India Summit.
2021
Biocon won the ‘UN Women India WEPs Awards – 2021’in the “Transparency and Reporting”
Biocon made it to the Top 15 Indian Companies in the Emerging Market Index of Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)
Biocon Biologics received the ‘Unnatha Suraksha Puraskara’ on September 9, 2021, by the National Safety Council (NSC), Karnataka Chapter.
2020
Biocon was recognized at the ‘UN Women 2020 India WEPs Awards’ for promoting a Gender-Inclusive Workplace and Gender-Responsive Marketplace amidst COVID-19.
Biocon Limited was ranked among the Top 5 Global Biotech Employers for 2020
Biocon bagged the ‘Best Biotech Patents Award 2018-19’ by Indian Drug Manufacturing Association (IDMA)
2019
Biocon won 2 awards at the TISS-Leapvault CLO Summit: ‘Learning and Development Team of the Year’ and ‘Best Diversity & Inclusion Program’.
Biocon moved up to Rank No. 6 on Science Careers’ Top 20 Global Pharma and Biotech Employers List 2019.
Biocon showcased a strong presence at Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019 for which it won the ‘Best Exhibitor Award’.
2018
Biocon Foundation, the CSR arm of Biocon Ltd. and Syngene International Ltd., was felicitated with SABERA Awards in New Delhi.
Biocon was honored at Pharmexcil Outstanding Exports Award 2017-18 for outstanding contribution to India’s Pharmaceutical Exports during the year 2017-18.
Biocon was honored with the prestigious IDMA Corporate Citizen Award in 2017.
Right now, Biocon’s main focus is to expand its diverse product portfolio to become a trustworthy global brand. The company plans are gaining global leadership by utilizing its size and cost advantages. it is further building a company with flawless quality compliance, world-class ethics, and a strong corporate governance framework. Through digital and data analytics, it plans to get closer to patients and reach a broader patient base. It believes that its three business categories, Generics, Biosimilars, and Research Services, are all well positioned for future expansion.
FAQs
Who is the CEO of Biocon?
Siddharth Mittal is the CEO of Biocon Limited.
Who is the founder of Biocon?
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is the founder and executive chairman of Biocon.
Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved by Cipla Limited.
Pharma industries are one of the most crucial industries as they are considered the largest contributors to a country’s economy. We know, that the pharma industries are responsible for creating several medicines. In India, pharmaceutical companies are growing at a rapid rate, which makes India among the top pharmaceutical exporting countries.
Pharmaceutical companies have made tremendous advancements in the field of biomedical science and offer numerous solutions to mankind with their innovative and effective medicines.
Cipla is one such Indian multinational pharmaceutical company that develops various medicines to treat different types of diseases. It was founded in 1935 and has its headquarters in Mumbai.
Read on to find out more about Cipla. In this article, you will come across Cipla’s startup story, its founders, business model, revenue growth, challenges faced, awards achieved by Cipla, and more.
The Indian multinational pharmaceutical business, Cipla Limited is based in Mumbai. Founded by Khwaja Abdul Hamied in 1935, the pharma company focuses on creating medications to treat a variety of illnesses, including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, diabetes, depression, and many others.
Cipla aims to never stop working to make sure that patients in need have access to high-quality, reasonably priced medications. For the past eight decades, medical professionals and patients worldwide have trusted Cipla because of this.
Care has been the cornerstone on which Cipla as an organisation has been constructed, brick by brick. The company has expanded its footprint to 80+ markets and provides more than 1,500 medications across numerous therapeutic categories in 50+ dosage forms. Currently, Cipla is expanding its footmark in key areas including India, South Africa, and the United States as well as other developing nations’ economies in an effort to make healthcare more accessible globally. Cipla is also present in countries like – Kenya, Australia, South Africa, the USA, Europe, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and United Kingdom.
Cipla – Industry
The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the world’s 3rd largest by volume and 14th largest in terms of value. According to the Indian Economic Survey 2021, the domestic market is expected to grow 3 times in the next decade.
It is reported that India supplies around 20% of the generic medicines globally in terms of volume. As already mentioned, the Indian pharmaceuticals industry is among the top 10 for having the highest value of drugs and medicines during 2020.
Cipla – Founders and Team
Cipla Limited is founded by Dr. Khwaja Abdul Hamied in 1935.
Khwaja Abdul Hamied
Dr. Khwaja Abdul Hamied – Founder of Cipla Limited
Dr. Khwaja Abdul Hamied laid the foundation of Cipla in 1935. Dr. Hamied was born to Khwaja Abdul Ali and Masood Jahan Begum in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh in 1898. He was a follower of M.K. Gandhi and also a founder professor along with Zakir Husain of Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh, which is now based in Delhi. Dr. Hamied received his undergraduate degree from Allahabad University, Uttar Pradesh, and his Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany. Dr. Hamied was a scientist who opposed imperialism and was a nationalist and freedom fighter in India.
Dr. Khwaja Abdul Hamied started Cipla with a very strong aim, “Never again will India be starved of essential drugs.“
Yusuf Khwaja Hamied
Yusuf Khwaja Hamied – Non-Executive Chairman of Cipla Limited
Yusuf Khwaja Hamied is the Non-Executive Chairman of Cipla Limited. An Indian scientist and billionaire businessman, Yusuf took over the company after his father, Dr. Khwaja Abdul Hamied. His popularity is known outside the national boundaries as he is best recognised for fighting against powerful Western pharmaceutical companies to offer affordable generic AIDS medications and therapies for other illnesses that largely afflict people in developing nations. Additionally, he was chosen as a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy.
Umang Vohra
Umang Vohra – Global CEO of Cipla Limited
Umang Vohra is the Managing Director and Global CEO of Cipla Limited. He has done Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka and got his degree in Master of Business Administration from T.A.Pai Management Institute, Karnataka. Umang was also Head of the North America business at Dr Reddys Laboratories, and Manager, Financial Planning at Pepsico India.
The history of Cipla goes back to 1935 when Dr. Khwaja Adbul Hamied founded one of the leading pharma companies in India. Initially, the company was known as, ‘The Chemical, Industrial & Pharmaceutical Laboratories.’ Later on, in 1984, the company was named ‘Cipla Limited.’
It was in 1968 when Cipla’s revenue crossed over Rs 1 crores. Soon after, at Mumbai Central Headquarters, an ORG 2001 computer was installed by the company to streamline the payroll and financial accounting processes, saving 20 days of labour from seven people. Then in 1991, the turnover of Cipla crossed Rs 100 crores.
The first oral iron chelator in history, Deferiprone, was introduced by Cipla in 1995. Antiretrovirals for HIV treatment were made available by the company in 2001 for less than $350 per patient annually.
In order to give patients with real-time monitoring, coaching, and advice, Cipla has partnered with Wellthy Therapeutics in India and Brandmed in South Africa in 2019. This collaboration combines behavioural science, actual clinical evidence, and artificial intelligence.
During the covid-19 outbreak, the establishment of Maharashtra’s only pediatric isolation facility specifically for COVID-19 is supported by Cipla Foundation.
The company completed its 85 years on 17th August 2020. The Cipla Foundation is said to have given funds to set up a world-class chemistry research laboratory at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune.
Now, the company has over 25,000 employees working in the organisation all over the world.
Cipla – Name, Logo, and Tagline
Cipla Limited – Logo and Tagline
The company was first established as ‘The Chemical Industrial & Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd. and then later changed its name to Cipla Limited in 1984.
Cipla goes by the slogan, “Caring for Life.”
Cipla – Mission and Vision
Cipla’s values include guiding and conduct in every conversation, organisational decision, and action of its employees.
The mission of Cipla is to be the top global healthcare provider, utilising innovation and technology to cater to all patients’ basic needs.
The mission and vision of the company in the words of Dr. Y K Hamied, Chairman Cipla, “Our work is not just making medicines. It is about making a difference.”
Cipla – Business Model
The business model of Cipla can be called a Generic Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) business model. Cipla is one of the largest pharmaceutical firms in India. The company operates in more than 80 countries and has 47 manufacturing facilities spread across the globe.
Cipla has a wide portfolio of drugs across therapies. Let’s take a look at what Cipla offers:
Therapies
Cipla offers various treatments for diseases like heart failure, MI, lipid abnormalities, angina, hypertension, arrhythmia, diabetes, and obesity.
Respiratory
Cipla has introduced products for Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Allergic Rhinitis (AR), and more recently other diseases such as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), lung cancer, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Some of the common respiratory products by Cipla are Salbutamol tablets and Salbutamol inhalers.
HIV/AIDS
Cipla is dedicated to the cause of HIV/AIDS by staying true to its motto, ‘None shall be denied.’ To help eradicate AIDS, Cipla introduced the first ever prescribed 3-in-1 fixed-dose combination in the year 2001 (stavudine, lamivudine, and nevirapine). In contrast to the average annual cost of over $12,000 per patient in most developed nations, it was made available for around $350 per year. The WHO and FDA have also approved Cipla’s biggest selection of antiretroviral medications.
Oncology
Cipla was the first company in India to introduce the drugs Vincristine and Vinblastine in 1984. To provide free care for cancer patients who were nearing the end of their lives, the Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre in Pune was founded in 1997. More than 11,000 patients and their families have received assistance from the Center over the years.
Urology
With products for BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), prostate cancer, urinary stones, hypogonadism, and sexual dysfunction conditions, Cipla has a sizable presence in the field of urology.
Cardio Metabolism
Products like Propranolol, which was introduced in 1972, were the company’s first fight against heart problems. For diabetes, Cipla has introduced several pills like Metformin, Metformin plus Glimepiride, and Metformin plus Glimepiride plus Pioglitazone.
Cipla is present in nine essential pediatric therapeutic segments like Anti-bacterial, Gastrointestinal, Anti-asthmatics, Chelation therapies, etc.
Infectious Diseases & Critical Care
Cipla has products like Tazobactam + Pipercillin, Colistin, Vancomycin, Paracetamol Infusion, etc. to fight various types of infections caused by viruses or bacteria.
Hepatitis
Cipla has managed to produce drugs to treat diseases like Hepatitis B & C.
Women’s Health
Cipla launched Clominphene citrate for infertility in women in 1979. Since then, the company has created a range of products to improve the overall health of women. The company has medication to help women at every stage of their lives, from managing polycystic ovarian syndrome to maintaining early pregnancy, from reducing post-partum haemorrhage to hormone treatment, to addressing menopausal difficulties. It has expanded its global product offering for women’s health to a number of nations.
Ophthalmology
Cipla Ophthalmology is aimed at treating diseases like glaucoma, infective keratitis, and endophthalmitis in association with the All India Ophthalmology Society.
Cipla’s R&D main areas of interest were the creation of novel formulations, drug delivery methods, and APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients). In addition, Cipla collaborates with other businesses on projects involving consultation, commissioning, engineering, project evaluation, quality control, know-how transfer, support, and plant supply.
Some of the major products under the label of Cipla are:
Cofsils – Provide relief from sore throat and cough
Ciphands – Range of hand sanitisers, hand rubs, and surface sprays.
Nicotex – A range of products to quit smoking.
CIPREMI – Gilead Sciences’ Remdesivir for emergency COVID-19 treatment for critical patients.
Cipla also offers many Covid-19 diagnostics products for easy accessibility. It has products like- CIPTest, CIPtest Plus, and ViraGEN.
Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre
To treat patients who have a serious illnesses and support them with the best possible facilities and care. The company has teamed up with the government, public health institutions, local administration, NGOs, and frontline workers to treat and take care o people who were affected because of covid.
Cipla’s main area of focus is onhealth, education, skill development, and environmental sustainability & disaster response.
Cipla – Revenue Model
Cipla Limited Revenue from FY2016 to FY2022
Cipla mainly generates its revenue by selling active pharmaceutical ingredients to other manufacturers as well as pharmaceutical and personal care products.
The company’s revenue for FY21-22 is $2.7 billion ( Rs 21,763 crores). This was nearly a 14% Y-o-Y growth in the revenue from $2.4 billion (Rs 19,160 crores) in FY20-21. The profit recorded by the company in FY21-22 stood at $315 million (Rs 2,517 crores) which was nearly a 4% increase from $301 million (Rs 2,405 crores) in FY20-21.
Cipla – Investments
As of 2022, Cipla has made four investments. Their most recent investment was on June 28, 2022, when GoApptiv raised ₹260 million. The other investments are:
Cipla has acquired six organizations. Their most recent acquisition was Mirren Pty Ltd. for $33 million on July 12, 2018. The other acquisitions are:
Acquiree Name
Date of Acquisition
Amount
Mirren Pty Ltd.
July 12, 2018
$33 million
Exelan Pharmaceuticals
September 4, 2015
$50 million
InvaGen Pharmaceuticals
September 4, 2015
$500 million
Quality Chemicals Ltd.
May 25, 2015
$30 million
Cipla Medpro South Africa Ltd.
July 16, 2013
$512 million
Meditab Specialities
Nov 23, 2011
$16.7 million
Cipla – Shareholding
Cipla Limited Shareholding Pattern 2022
The equity shares of Cipla are traded on the National Stock Exchange of India (CNX Nifty) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The Luxembourg Stock Exchange lists its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs). The prominent shareholders of the company include the Promoter and Promoter Group, Foreign Institutional Investors, Indian Institutional Investors, GDR, and Others.
Cipla – Online and Social Media Presence
The company have a very influential social media presence. It can be seen from the number of social media accounts they have on popular platforms like:
Facebook Page – 78,712 followers
LinkedIn Page – 958,173 followers
Instagram Page – 9.9K followers
Twitter Page – 32.2K followers
YouTube – 8.63K subscribers
The followers and subscribers count are as of August 2022.
Cipla – Advertisements and Social Media Campaigns
Quite recently, Cipla has launched an ad on various digital mediums, TV, cinema, and social media platforms with their new brand ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The company through this advertisement wants to raise people’s awareness of the value of taking multivitamin pills daily. The brand wanted to capture people’s attention through Ayushmann about keeping oneself fit and having stamina and energy in day-to-day life.
Cipla Health Campaign starring Ayushmann Khurrana
Another major campaign by Cipla is the ‘Berok Zindagi campaign’ with hashtags like – #InhalerHainSahi and #SayYesToInhalers. There are many campaigns featuring different actors who share their stories of having asthma and how using an inhaler is absolutely safe and easy to use even for kids as well. With regard to this campaign, there is also a song that was launched with the song name ‘Inhalers Hain Sahi’. It is sung and composed by renowned music composer Amit Trivedi.
Cipla – Berok Zindagi Campaign
Cipla – Awards and Achievements
Here’s the list of major awards won by Cipla:
Cipla received Economic Times Family Business Award.
Cipla won the 4th India Logistics and Warehousing Excellence Awards 2022.
BW Businessworld featured Cipla amongst the Top 40 BW Most Sustainable Companies in India.
Cipla bags the first prize in the GOQii Corporate Challenge at an organisational level.
Cipla was recognised at the 35th Goa Statehood Day for contributing significantly to healthcare in the state of Goa.
ET Brand Equity Kaleido Awards 2022.
Best New Product Introduction/ Promotion in the U.S. Generic Industry – Cipla USA Inc.
Cipla won Silver in Public Awareness Campaign in Healthcare & Wellness Category – Berok Zindagi.
Cipla receives the India Pharma Leader of the Year Award.
Cipla receives US-INDIA Trade Award – “Pharma & Healthcare” Category.
Cipla won Bronze in Best Integrated Report (Large Company) Category – Cipla Integrated Report.
Cipla was recognised as an Industry Mover in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022.
Cipla – Challenges / Controversies faced
Just like any business, Cipla had to go through some challenges and criticism. An over-the-counter emergency contraceptive medication known as the “i-pill” was introduced by the company in August 2007. The company faced a lot of objections because it could be purchased without a prescription and carried a significant amount of medication in each dose.
Presently, Cipla is planning to scale-up injectables with five packings in the USA. Additionally, it is also thinking to gear up and launching high-quality products for generic versions.
With the rising cases of monkeypox, Cipla is also looking for opportunities to tie up with different partners in combating the new virus.
FAQs
Who founded Cipla?
Khwaja Abdul Hamied founded Cipla Limited in the year 1935. The Indian pharma company has its headquarters in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Who is the owner of the Cipla medicine company?
Yusuf Khwaja Hamied is the non-executive chairman and owner of the medicine company, Cipla Limited.
Who is Umang Vohra?
Umang Vohra is the current Managing Director and Global CEO of the Indian pharmaceutical company, Cipla Limited.
What is Cipla’s revenue in 2022?
Cipla Limited revenue for FY21-22 is $2.7 billion ( Rs 21,763 crores).
Company Profile is an initiative by StartupTalky to publish verified information on different startups and organizations. The content in this post has been approved byPfizer.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said that the US was currently manufacturing doses for all six potential vaccines backed by President Donald Trump’s government across more than 23 manufacturing facilities. These includes vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, which are all in late-stage testing.
Pfizer is a research-based multinational biopharmaceutical corporation that develops, manufactures, and distributes healthcare products. Medicines and vaccines are part of its global portfolio. The Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine that is marketed under the brand name Comirnaty. It is given to people aged 16 and up to protect them from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.
This article will give you a complete Company Profile of Pfizer. Know all about Pfizer history, business model, founders, revenue, acquisition, covid-19 vaccine & more…
Pfizer/BioNTech has filed an application with the US Food and Drug Administration for full FDA approval of its Covid-19 vaccine for people aged 16 and up as of May 2021, according to the companies. This is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be evaluated by the FDA for complete approval in the United States.
The FDA has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Pfizer’s mRNA two-shot vaccine for use in the United States. To date, 170 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed throughout the United States, according to the firms.
“We are proud of the tremendous progress we’ve made since December in delivering vaccines to millions of Americans, in collaboration with the U.S. Government,” Albert Bourla CEO of Pfizer, said in a statement.
“We look forward to working with the FDA to complete this rolling submission and support their review, with the goal of securing full regulatory approval of the vaccine in the coming months.”
Pfizer is a research-based multinational biopharmaceutical corporation that develops, manufactures, and distributes healthcare products. Medicines and vaccines are part of its global portfolio.
Cholesterol-lowering Lipitor, pain-relieving Celebrex and Lyrica, pneumonia vaccine Prevnar, and erectile dysfunction medication Viagra, as well as arthritis medicine Enbrel, antibiotic Zyvox, and blood-thinning Eliquis, are among the company’s top prescription items. Generic medications and consumer health goods are also manufactured and sold by the company.
In partnership with BioNTech SE, a German biotechnology firm, Pfizer recently produced an mRNA-based vaccine for COVID-19. The vaccine’s efficacy has been verified in several trials to be between 90 and 100 percent.
Pfizer – Mission and Vision
The vision statement of Pfizer is – “Innovate to bring therapies to patients that significantly improve their lives.”
Pfizer mission statement is “to become the world’s most valued company to all of these people.” It zeroes down on the achievements that the company desires while at the same time meeting the expectations of all its patients. It focuses on the company’s desired outcomes while still meeting all of its patients’ needs.
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, cousins who had immigrated to the United States from Ludwigsburg, Germany, founded Pfizer in1849.
The company, which was based on Bartlett Street in Williamsburg, New York, developed chemical compounds, including an antiparasitic called santonin. Both in their mid-20s, the two men started a fine chemicals company in a Brooklyn factory with a loan from Pfizer’s father. Pfizer’s chemist skills were combined with Erhart’s confectioner training in the company’s first product, a palatable anti-parasitic drug that tasted like toffee. It was a huge success, and it set the tone for the company’s future growth.
The American Civil War, which broke out shortly after in 1862, had an equal effect on the emerging pharmaceutical industry as it did on American society as a whole. Drug manufacturers were just as much a part of the “first industrial war” as arms manufacturers. The sudden demand for massive amounts of painkillers and antiseptics for the Union armies, like that of their rival Squibb, presented a huge opportunity to increase production. Pfizer’s sales had doubled since the beginning of the war in 1868, and their product ranges had greatly expanded.
Following the battle, Pfizer began to concentrate on industrial chemicals rather than drugs, manufacturing citric acid for the burgeoning soft drink industry, which fueled the expansion of brands including Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper in the 1880s. For several years, this was their mainstay, setting the groundwork for their continued expansion. When the supply of tartaric acid was interrupted by the civil war and higher tariffs, Pfizer expanded its production to become the leading chemical supplier in the United States.
Pfizer – Covid-19 Vaccine
In April 2020, Pfizer collaborated with BioNTech to start developing a COVID-19 vaccine in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The BNT162b2 vaccine candidate is an mRNA vaccine. The drug-maker announced in November 2020 that results from Phase 3 clinical trials showed the vaccine was safe and reliable, with a 95 percent efficacy rate. It needs two doses, separated by 21 days.
Pfizer and BioNTech submitted an emergency use permission request to the FDA a few days after the positive clinical trial results were announced. The FDA approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for distribution in the United States on December 11, 2020.
Pfizer’s company name is after the founder Charles Pfizer and its logo is shaped like a tablet of medicine. The oval-shaped logo is a powerful brand identity that conveys a message of optimism, well-being, and progress. As opposed to the initial limit “P,” the letter “f” is intentionally made larger.
The tagline outlines Pfizer’s purpose, “Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.”
Pfizer’s Company Logo
Pfizer – Business Model
Pfizer Innovative Health and Pfizer Essential Health are the company’s two commercial divisions.
Pfizer Innovative Health is dedicated to the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Internal medicine, vaccination, oncology, inflammation and immunology, rare diseases, and consumer healthcare are among IH’s therapeutic fields.
Legacy labels, branded generics, generic sterile injectable drugs, biosimilars, and infusion systems are all included in the Pfizer Essential Health category. EH also has a research and development department, as well as a contract manufacturing division. Prevnar 13, Xeljanz, Eliquis, Lipitor, Celebrex, Pristiq, and Viagra are some of the company’s brands.
The table below highlights some of the key financial metrics of Pfizer (extracted from the company’s annual reports)
Financial Metric
2020 (In Millions)
2019 (In Millions)
Total Income
$9,616
$16,273
PAT(Margin)
-11.89
219.75
Equity Share Capital
45.75
45.75
Net Fixed Assets
2513.05
2127.65
Pfizer – Revenue and Growth
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine sales exceeded analyst expectations by about 60%. As of mid-April 2021, the company produced 1.6 billion doses of the vaccine under signed contracts. Pfizer’s operating sales increased by 8% even without revenue from the COVID-19 vaccine.
With exclusivity for Pfizer’s second-best-selling medication, Lyrica, expected to expire in June, the pharma expects a $2.6 billion sales hit from competitive pressures, almost $1 billion more than in 2018.
As of November 2020, Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, made in partnership with the German firm BioNTech, was stored at subzero temperatures, and there were lots of distribution challenges in rolling it out in the weeks ahead.
Pfizer is “running at critical supply limitations,” Dr. Bourla, the CEO said, adding that he hopes the government deploys the Defense Production Act to solve the problem.
Meanwhile, the FDA contacted Pfizer about a different problem with its vaccine. According to some press accounts, several pharmacists giving the shots found that each vial contained more than the planned five doses. They wondered if they could eke out another dose, or even two, from the leftovers.
Pfizer – Future Plans
Pfizer has revealed plans to increase sales in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia, which are all developing markets. The organization will use its global reach and product portfolio to provide health solutions to the rising and underserved population of middle-income patients in these areas.
The company identified four factors that will aid its expansion in the developing Asian pharmaceutical market, which is worth $47 billion. Expanding its current presence in high-growth markets, establishing leadership in oncology, tailoring portfolio offerings to local consumer needs, and leveraging global manufacturing and R&D in Asia are among these factors.
Pfizer expects to spend $5 billion in capital projects in the United States over the next five years, including expanding its manufacturing footprint in the country. In 2019, it announced an additional half-billion-dollar investment in Sanford, North Carolina, for the construction of a cutting-edge gene therapy manufacturing facility.
Pfizer – FAQs
What does Pfizer do?
Pfizer is a research-based multinational biopharmaceutical corporation that develops, manufactures, and distributes healthcare products. Medicines and vaccines are part of its global portfolio.
Who founded Pfizer?
Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, cousins who had immigrated to the United States from Ludwigsburg, Germany, founded Pfizer in 1849.
Which companies do Pfizer compete with?
The top competitors of Pfizer are Merck, Novartis, BMS, Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Abbott, Cipla, Roche, Eli Lilly, Bayer.
