Brands
Bodycare Creations signs on as official partner of Punjab Kings
MUMBAI: In a testimony to the league’s immense popularity with female audiences, Indian innerwear brand Bodycare Creations has signed on as official partner of the Punjab Kings franchise in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which begins on 9 April.
Bodycare Creations managing director Sanjay Dawar says, "Punjab Kings is an exciting franchise in the IPL and we are delighted to be associated with the team that shares the same passion, dedication, never-say-die attitude and strength as Bodycare. At Bodycare, we're all for offering comfort, be it on the field or off-field and it gives us immense pride to roar as the official sponsor of Punjab Kings, the spirit of Punjab."
This is Bodycare's first association with the Punjab outfit and the brand is looking to capitalise on the high female viewership that the tournament draws.
Dawar elaborates further, "Cricket is undoubtedly the most-watched sport in the country and provides the perfect platform to connect with millions of young and vibrant sports enthusiasts. As part of our brand marketing strategy, we are all set to bat on a new pitch with this tie-up alongside garnering maximum visibility and viewership for the brand."
Bodycare's special campaign on body positivity will also spread the right message to viewers with this association.
Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon adds, "We are pleased to announce that Bodycare Creations will come on board as the team's official sponsor for IPL 2021. This partner confirms our belief in the rising viewership amongst women especially in the north of India. We are indebted to brands such as these that have taken the step to promote their products on platforms such as ours. Their support is our strength as we aim to excel on the field."
Bodycare Creations will be the official partner for the Punjab Kings team with branding rights and promotional activities throughout the IPL 2021-2022 cricketing season. The brand logo will appear on the team's leading trouser.
In a recent interview, Star Sports head Sanjog Gupta revealed that in 2020, female viewership of the IPL grew by 24 per cent.
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
