MAM
Robert Gilby steps down as CEO of Dentsu APAC
Mumbai: Rob Gilby has stepped down from his role as CEO of Dentsu APAC after two years to pursue new ventures. He took on the position in September 2022, following Ashish Bhasin, and was instrumental in driving growth and regional integration efforts within the company, aligning its operations under the “One Dentsu” strategy.
With nearly three decades of experience in media and entertainment and over 25 years of expertise in the Asia Pacific region, Gilby made a significant impact at Dentsu. During his tenure, he focused on strengthening leadership, enhancing the company’s core competencies, and aligning Dentsu’s practices with client-driven growth objectives.
Before joining Dentsu, Gilby served as president of Asia Pacific at Nielsen, where he worked closely with brands, agencies, and media owners to deliver audience insights. He also founded and led Blue Hat Ventures, a firm specializing in helping digital media companies grow in the Asia Pacific market. His experience spans key markets like China, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia, having held leadership roles at major companies such as The Walt Disney Company, WarnerMedia, and PwC.
Beyond his corporate work, Gilby has been involved in advisory roles with Singapore’s Ministry of Communications and Information and the InfoComm Media Development Authority, and he chaired the Singapore Media Festival.
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.
