MAM
R Ashwin teams up with Colgate to talk about oral care for diabetics
Mumbai: Colgate India has roped in cricketer R Ashwin for it’s awareness campaign about oral health for people dealing with diabetes. The campaign has been conceptualised by VMLY&R, in partnership with Redfuse Media.
In the campaign film, Ashwin speaks from his experience of witnessing his father’s experience after being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. The film aims to create awareness of how gum infections can complicate diabetes management.
Run in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Bengali languages, the campaign will be visible across digital platforms.
The cricketer gives a glimpse of the changes his family had to incorporate into their daily life following the diagnosis. It brings to the forefront the relatively unknown connection between diabetes and its oral complications and highlights the importance of oral health management and the benefits of Colgate’s special oral care toothpaste for people with diabetes.
“Few people realise that diabetes and oral health are very closely related. In fact, nine out of 10 diabetics suffer from oral health problems and these oral health problems further complicate diabetes management. Colgate has launched a special toothpaste for diabetics and an information campaign to educate diabetics about this connection. We are committed to reach millions of people across the country with this educational campaign and make the Colgate for diabetics toothpaste available across the country,” said Colgate-Palmolive (India) vice president marketing Arvind Chintamani.
Research done in India and around the world suggests that people with diabetes are three times more likely to get gum infections as compared to the non-diabetic population. Colgate has launched a special toothpaste for diabetics to address these specific problems, said the statement.
Speaking about the idea behind the campaign, VMLY&R chief creative officer Mukund Olety said, “Colgate toothpaste for the oral health of diabetics is an ayurvedic solution designed with diabetes experts to help with better diabetes care. While the product is clinically proven, we wanted to keep the storytelling warm and emotional. For this campaign, we picked a celebrity not only for his popularity but also because he is a genuine care giver. Ashwin’s father has type-2 diabetes and Ashwin, despite his busy schedule, takes time out to help his father in diabetes care. They have made changes in their lifestyle as well. And all of this can be seen in the film. The film is a slice of their life, a day in their household.”
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.
