Pharmaceutical Sector

Ranbaxy posts quarterly net loss of Rs 761 crore; third loss in a row!

Ranbaxy posts quarterly net loss of Rs 761 crore; third loss in a row!Exhibiting one of its worst quarterly performances ever, Ranbaxy Laboratories – now owned by Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo - has posted its third straight quarter of losses, for the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Citing foreign exchange instability, a 14 percent drop in its US market, and pricing strain in key markets, Ranbaxy posted a net loss of Rs 761 crore during the quarter – a dramatic turnaround from the Rs 153 crore net profit figures in 2008. In the previous two quarters, Ranbaxy posted losses of Rs 680 crore and Rs 394 crore.

Shantha Biotechnics To Roll Out Bivalent Oral Cholera Vaccine ‘Shanchol’

Shantha BiotechnicsShantha Biotechnics, a pioneer in the biotechnology field, has made announcement about the launching of its bivalent oral cholera vaccine, 'Shanchol'.

Shanchol, which is believed to the first of its kind in the world, will be launched on Sunday during a two-day seminar on Continuous Medical Education (CME) of National Infectious Diseases organized by Indian Academy of Pediatrics at Kolkata.

Piramal Healthcare’s Net Profit dips 13% in Q4

Piramal HealthcarePiramal Healthcare on Friday informed that its consolidated net profit slipped 13.49% to Rs 114.90 crore in the fourth quarter ended 31 March, 2009, over the corresponding period a year ago.

The pharmaceutical firm had posted a net profit of Rs 132.82 crore in the March quarter of FY'08.

However, company’s net sales surged 9.34 per cent at Rs 850.91 crore in the March quarter, against Rs 778.20 crore in the same period last fiscal.

Piramal on Global acquisition spree; to hire 300-400 professional by this year

Piramal on Global acquisition spree; to hire 300-400 professional by this year     Indian drug maker Piramal Healthcare Ltd, which is presently scouting for acquisitions in the US and Europe, expects the same level of growth during the current fiscal year as it witnessed in the in FY09.

The company expect to buy 2-3 companies in advanced markets like the US and Europe.

Apart from acquisitions, the company has also decided to hire 300-400 professionals in the super-specialty marketing division, by the end of this year across the country, taking its total employee base to 7,400.

In 21 horses' deaths, Florida pharmacy admits possible mistake

In 21 horses' deaths, Florida pharmacy admits possible mistake Washington - A Florida pharmacy that mixed medication for 21 polo horses before they mysteriously died over the weekend said Thursday it incorrectly mixed the substance, the Palm Beach Post reported online.

The horses, which belonged to the Venezuelan team La Lechuza owned by Venezuelan multimillionaire Victor Vargas, died shortly before a quarter-finals match was to begin Sunday at the 105th US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.

Switzerland's Novartis beats expectations for first quarter 2009

Novartis ties up with USV to market Galvus in IndiaGeneva - The Swiss drug maker Novartis said Thursday its first quarter profits were down 14 percent, to 2 billion dollars, but still better than expectations that the fall would be worse.

The Basel-based company said its net sales stood at 9.7 billion dollars, down 2 per cent, but if valued in local currencies, this was an 8 per cent increase.

Basic earnings per share were at 87 cents in the first quarter compared to 1.02 dollars in the same period in 2008.

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