Two top-50 Indian firms are speculated to be on the block with valuations expected to be richer than past multiples paid by buyers. A small, less known life sciences solutions provider is also keen to rope in a CDMO partner. Scrip speaks to a cross-section of experts on the action in deal street.

In an interview with JB CEO Nikhil Chopra, Scrip discusses talk of a stake sale by private equity fund KKR, gains from acquisitions including select Novartis brands, plans to ascend to the top five in cardiology and a ramp up of the CDMO business, which has clients including J&J.

C-suite remuneration at leading listed foreign and domestic drug firms in India rose in double digits for the most part in 2022-23, data compiled by Scrip show. While MDs/CEOs at domestic firms continue to take home sizeably higher earnings, the arrival of women leaders at the helm in some foreign firms puts the spotlight on gender pay parity.

The UK firm has got the green light in the US to conduct two Phase IIb/III trials of its cancer cachexia candidate S-pindolol but a lot more money needs to be raised to complete them.