Dr Reddy's Lab: WPO award for packaging
Hyderabad: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has got the 'World Star 2003 Award' from the 'World Packaging Organization', for the anti-counterfeit packaging design for Omez capsules. Omez (omeprazole) is one of Dr Reddy's leading pharmaceutical brands and is marketed in India and in other countries such as Russia. In a press release here on Friday, the company said that this year, Dr Reddy's was the only pharmaceutical company to get an award for anti-counterfeit features.

The company said the Omez capsules pack is exclusive with combination of many overt and covert anti-counterfeit features, making the pack difficult to copy. It addresses counterfeiting problems through unique features that include embossing of the brand name, ink jet coding of batch details, and circular printing on capsule shells. Secondary pack features include using `macromedia freehand' developed invisible matrix containing a photo graph on the side panel and brand name 'OMEZ' in the grey band on the front panel of carton that can be seen only with a matching film screen (HYSEP) and cannot be scanned or photo copied, and Coin reactive printing.
Back to News Review index page  

Biocon in nine year contract with Bristol-Myers
Bangalore: Biocon Ltd has entered into a nine-year export contract with US major Bristol-Myers Squibb co. to supply the bulk form of its recombinant human insulin. Biocon hopes to launch its own insulin brand, Insugen, during the second quarter of this fiscal. According to the company, the drug has completed phase 3 clinical trials and is awaiting the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee's (GEAC) approval. Biocon was the first Indian company to file a drug master file with the USFDA on the recombinant human insulin. The product would be a major driver of its growth, along with immunosuppressants, statins and branded formulations.

The USFDA approval for its cholesterol-lowering statins and pioglitazone manufacturing plant would give the company access to the $6-billion market that would go off-patent in the US in 2006, the company said. During 2003-04, Biocon filed 88 PCT patents, among the largest set filed by Indian corporates. BIOCON Ltd's total income for 2003-04 has touched Rs 549.3 crore, a jump of 94 per cent from Rs 283.3 crore in 2002-03. Its profit after tax (PAT) has increased 219 per cent to Rs 138.6 crore from Rs 43.5 crore earlier. Operating profits moved up 142 per cent to Rs 179.5 crore (Rs 74.1 crore). The board has recommended a dividend of 20 per cent or Re 1 per share.
Back to News Review index page 

Eicher domestic sales up 52 per cent
New Delhi: Eicher Motors Ltd (EML) has registered 52 per cent growth in domestic sales of its commercial vehicles in April 2004 compared to April 2003. EML sold 884 vehicles in domestic market as against 580 in April last year. Sales of the light commercial vehicles range recorded a growth of 43 per cent at 754 (529).
Back to News Review index page  

GE and HSBC: Destination Kolkata
Kolkata: According to the West Bengal government, GE Capital and HSBC have firmed up plans to set up Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centres in Kolkata. The WB government has said that GE Capital and HSBC have asked for land to set up BPO centres. The West Bengal Government has already given the IT department 40 acres of land at the Rajarhat New Township near the city to accommodate requests from IT companies who wished to set up operations. The State Government has been requested to earmark an additional 200 acres at Rajarhat for the IT sector.
Back to News Review index page  

Tata Telecom Q4 revenues up 23 per cent
Mumbai: Tata Telecom has reported a 27 per cent increase in net profit, at Rs 10.55 crore, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2004. Turnover, for the quarter, has increased by 20 per cent to Rs. 132.5 crore. Revenues increased 23 per cent, to Rs. 401.93 crore. The board of the company has announced a dividend of 45 per cent for the year under consideration.
Back to News Review index page  

Idea Cellular offers mobile e-mail services
New Delhi: Idea Cellular Ltd has announced an advanced e-mail solution for its subscribers that allows their mobile number to function as an e-mail address. For instance, if the subscriber's number is 98910- 6789, he can receive e-mails on 989106789@ideacellular.net, even if he does not have a regular e-mail account. The subscriber can also send return mails to other users.
Back to News Review index page  

Rasna's new ad strategy
Hyderabad: Rasna has roped in actress Karishma Kapoor as a brand ambassador to suit its new ad strategy, which focusses on young mothers. The company is also planning to launch soft drinks in regional flavours such as kokum. For the current fiscal, Rasna hoped to achieve a turnover of Rs 280 crore, with sales of three billion glasses as against the present two billion glasses. The company, which claims to have a market share of 93 per cent in the SDC segment, sells its products in 40 countries. Of the Rs 50-crore exports, the Gulf contributed 60-65 per cent.
Back to News Review index page  

Hungama TV account for JWT and Starcom
Mumbai: Hungama TV, the kids' entertainment channel and UTV's latest venture, has appointed JWT as its creative agency and Starcom as the agency of record (AOR). This follows a focused two-agency pitch by JWT to look after its creative and media responsibilities. The 24-hour Hindi channel targeted at the 4-15 years age group is scheduled to go on air in August-September.
Back to News Review index page  

LML's new launches
New Delhi: Two-wheeler maker LML has announced the launch of three new products in the motorcycles category. The new bikes include the 150cc 'Graptor', 125cc 'Freedom Prima' and 110cc 'Freedom Prima 110' (a new variant of the existing Freedom bike). The products have been priced at Rs 49,500, Rs 45,000 and Rs 41,130 (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively. The 'Freedom Prima 125cc' comes with both four and five gears with optional disc brakes. According to LML, with these launches it is strategically placing two motorcycles in the smart commuter segment with two engine configurations - 110cc and 125cc while the 150 cc 'Graptor' would be catering to the fast growing lifestyle segment.
Back to News Review index page