Latest news with #Khorakiwala
News18
30-04-2025
- Business
- News18
‘Never Exported To Pakistan': Wockhardt's Khorakiwala Downplays Impact Of Trade Freeze Between Neighbours
Talking about the impact of Donald Trump's tariff terror on Indian pharma companies, Khorakiwala believes that Indian companies need to form new strategies and look for new markets The ongoing freeze in India-Pakistan trade ties is expected to have minimal impact on the Indian pharmaceutical sector as most companies, including most of the country's largest drug-makers, have never exported to Pakistan, Habil Khorakiwala, chairman of Wockhardt, told News18. 'We, in our 50-year history, have never exported drugs to Pakistan, and most Indian companies don't export there as the size of the market is unattractive, and a host of restrictions make the business restrictive," Khorakiwala, founder chairman of the Mumbai-headquartered firm told News18 in an exclusive interview. He was responding to a question on the growing strain on bilateral trade relations between India and Pakistan triggered by the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam. 'Hence, trade snapping may not mean anything to us in pharma." Talking about the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff terror on Indian pharma companies, Khorakiwala believes that Indian companies need to form new strategies and look for new markets. However, he said, 'Overall, any tariffs on pharmaceutical products would prove counter-productive for American consumers and healthcare providers." Headquartered in Mumbai, Wockhardt Limited is globally making headlines with its novel antibiotic, Zaynich, which has shown extraordinary efficacy against multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. While on one end, the company is planning to apply for US FDA approval for Zaynich in the next two to three months, on the other end, it has decided to exit the US generic business and focus only on specialty drugs. The company has steered its focus towards 'emerging markets' with its segment of biologics and insulin products in the 'anti-diabetic' or 'anti-obesity, weight loss' product category. BSE-listed Wockhardt Group operates in several fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and super-specialty hospitals. 'We offer a range of products, including generic drugs, bulk drugs, along with our biologics drug portfolio," he said, adding: 'We have a different plan to diversify. While we have decided to exit the generic business in the US market, we will focus on the emerging markets, leading with our biologics drug portfolio." The company plans to focus on its biologics portfolio, especially consisting of anti-diabetic medicines. 'We will remain in the anti-diabetic space in biologics and focus on it," he said, sharing examples of top pharma companies such as Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk withdrawing insulin brands Basaglar and Human Mixtard from the Indian market, hence creating opportunities for other players. 'Diabetic products are in focus, along with anti-obesity or weight loss drugs. We will introduce new products, but we have decided to remain in the emerging markets. There is a huge market opportunity, and competition is also limited." The company is known as the first mover in biotechnology in India, and it claims to be the first Asian company and the third in the world to synthesise, manufacture and successfully market recombinant insulin. Effect Of Trump Tariff Responding to the possibility of impact on the Indian pharma due to imposition of tariffs led by Trump, the Wockhardt chairman said, 'There is so much uncertainty and things are changing every day. However, in our industry, it's not easy to switch supplies." He highlighted that India supplies 40 per cent of total prescription drugs to the US and hence, India is not a marginal player. 'We are a very, very significant player, maybe the largest one supplying to the US." Khorakiwala estimates that the majority of the price surge will be borne by the consumer or healthcare providers. 'Partly by the government and partly by the private sector… 90 per cent of the prices of medicines are borne by insurance companies. The entire approach could end up being ineffective for the US." He highlighted that the technical procedures for switching medications are not easy as the USFDA approval process takes several years, maybe up to two to three years. 'Unlike other areas, here you cannot substitute one drug for another. Also, drug shortages have been a major issue in the US, and this move may also lead to some kind of drug shortages." What should Indian companies do now? Industry veteran Khorakiwala, who founded Wockhardt in 1967, advises Indian drug-makers to focus on other markets beyond the US. 'The US is a big advantage for Indian companies as it is a very important market both in terms of size and price points. However, because of this advantage, I think Indian companies are not focused enough on the other possible markets and geographical expansion." Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : bse donald trump Pahalgam attack pakistan US FDA Wockhardt Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: April 30, 2025, 08:49 IST
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
India's Wockhardt Group seeks strategic partnerships in Gulf
Indian pharmaceutical and biotech major Wockhardt Group is seeking strategic partnerships with healthcare providers and governments in the Gulf regionn to further expand its international presence in manufacturing and research initiatives. 'Our strategy in the Gulf market is focused on leveraging our expertise in research-driven pharmaceuticals and healthcare solutions rather than directly competing in the crowded space of clinics and hospitals,' said Dr. Habil Khorakiwala, founder and chairman, Wockhardt Group. He was in Dubai to participate in the Global Justice, Love & Peace summit, the world's largest peace conference, at Expo City Dubai organised by 'I-am Peacekeeper' Movement and Wockhardt Foundation and supported by Wockhardt Group. The Group, India's sixth largest drugmaker by revenue, is a research-based, global healthcare enterprise with relevance in the fields of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), and super specialty hospitals. 'While our hospital division currently operates in India, our pharmaceutical and biotech arm has already established a strong foothold in the Gulf region. The Group has built a $40 million manufacturing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai to produce antimicrobial drugs for sale globally. We can leverage this facility to serve as a hub for producing advanced therapies for global markets, including the GCC,' he said. Khorakiwala said the Jebel Ali facility is a cornerstone of the company's mission to address the world's most pressing health threats from the heart of the Middle East. 'By supplying innovative drugs that reduce hospital stays and combat resistant infections, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the region's healthcare capacity and resilience," he said. The Group is strengthening its partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, particularly in the UAE, to deliver innovative therapies that address critical healthcare challenges in the field of novel antibiotics and diabetes biosimilars. Healthcare industry outlook in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is extremely positive, projecting healthcare expenditure to reach $159 billion by 2029, needing 12,317 new hospital beds in the UAE alone, said a recent industry report. The projected growth in healthcare expenditure and infrastructure in the GCC, particularly the UAE, presents a tremendous opportunity to improve access to quality care. 'We view this as a call to action to support the region's healthcare ecosystem with our cutting-edge pharmaceutical solutions. While we are not directly involved in building hospital beds, our focus on developing breakthrough antibiotics and chronic disease treatments, like those for diabetes, positions us to alleviate the burden on healthcare systems,' he said. Wockhardt Hospitals' global footprint includes the US, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, and France. In India, the Group operates six super specialty hospitals. The chairman said the Group, at present, is not looking to operate hospitals in the Gulf. 'Expanding our hospital footprint here is something we evaluate continuously, but our immediate focus is on enhancing our pharmaceutical presence — delivering novel antibiotics and diabetes treatments tailored to the region's needs — while exploring collaborations with local healthcare providers to serve the diaspora and broader population effectively," he noted. (Reporting by Bhaskar Raj; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Khaleej Times
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Nobel laureates, influencers redefine love, discuss 'creating culture of peace' at summit
'The way I heard love being defined today was mind-boggling,' said Arif, a student of Arts and Statistics at Amity University. 'I always thought love just existed within family and close friends. But I have come to realise that real love is about humanity.' Arif was among the hundreds of students attending the Global Justice, Love and Peace Summit, themed 'One Planet, One Voice' on Saturday which took place in Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City. What he and many others took away from the event was more than inspiration; it was a shift in perspective. 'When we begin to love strangers and pray for them the same way we pray for ourselves, that's when love transcends,' Arif said. 'If everyone followed this, peace and justice wouldn't be ideals; they would be realities. This event has transformed the way I think about life, relationships, and the world around me.' Held under the banner of the 'I am Peacekeeper Movement' and chaired by Dr Huzaifa Khorakiwala, the summit brought together Nobel Peace laureates, thought leaders, youth, and influencers across diverse sectors in a call to action for a more compassionate and just world. 'We hosted this summit to bring together vital voices, from politics, business, Nobel Peace Prize winners, and even the glamour world, because when they speak on justice, love and peace, the world listens,' said Dr Khorakiwala. 'Justice protects dignity and rights, love brings kindness and compassion, and peace begins from within. If a person finds inner peace, they naturally create peace around them.' He highlighted that inner peace is rooted in seven core human values: gratitude, forgiveness, love, humility, giving, patience, and truth. 'Regardless of politics or religion, these values guide individuals to peace within, and that's the first step towards peace in the world,' he said. A key highlight of the summit was its focus on empowering youth. The organisers partnered with schools and universities to include students in the dialogue, believing that instilling values at a young age can have a lasting impact. 'Their minds are young, like soft clay,' said Dr Khorakiwala. 'It's like writing something now that will be etched on their hearts forever.' He added that youth are the torchbearers of tomorrow, and if moulded with the right values, can positively influence the course of humanity. 'We plan to organise this summit regularly and to use social media to spread our message far and wide.' Riya Malhotra, a psychology student from Amity, also shared how the summit left a lasting impression on her. 'Listening to global leaders talk about love, justice, and peace made me realise how interconnected we all are,' she said. 'I have always believed in mental well-being, and today I understood how inner peace is not just personal, it can influence families, communities, even nations.' Ahead of the summit, world-renowned voices joined the call for change. Lech Wałęsa, former President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, underlined the need for a new world order. 'We must build a global framework that integrates freedom, human rights, and universally accepted values,' he said. 'Even in discomfort, we search for better paths forward. Dialogue is how we'll find common ground.' Former President of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who will moderate a session titled 'Beloved Mother Earth, Our Home: Can Love for the Planet Inspire a More Sustainable Future?', pointed out how peace has become a political tool in some parts of the world. 'Peace brings stability, and stability brings prosperity,' she said. 'We must move away from war economies and focus on building infrastructure, livelihoods, and a culture of peace.' From royalty and judiciary to business icons and film stars, the summit served as a platform for a united call: to place humanity, inner peace, and shared values at the centre of the global dialogue.
