Brands
Shandi Global stirs India with chickpea-based Chanza, targets 10 million dollars in ’25
MUMBAI: Call it chickpeas with a twist. Singapore-based food-tech innovator Shandi Global has landed in India with its flagship product Chanza: a protein-packed, plant-based alternative to meat and paneer that’s already winning fans abroad.
Made entirely from whole chickpeas: no soy, gluten, or artificial binders in sight. Chanza cooks, tastes, and feels like soft, fibrous chunks of meat. From curries to kebabs, stir-fries to tandoori, it’s designed to slip seamlessly into India’s kitchen classics while packing a nutritional punch.
The India launch marks Shandi Global’s biggest bet yet. The company has doubled its revenue every year, growing from 0.6 million dollars in 2023 to over 2.5 million dollars in 2025. With India now in its sights, it’s eyeing a bold leap to 10 million plus dollars revenue in 2025.
“Protein deficiency is a massive issue here, and we want to change that,” said Shandi Global, co-founder, Dr. Gaurav Sharma. “Our vision is simple: Protein for All, Without Compromise.” His fellow co-founder, Dr Reena Sharma, added that the move was “both personal and purposeful,” aiming to fuse nutrition, fitness, and sustainability in everyday Indian diets.
The rollout will start with restaurants, corporates, and institutions, before hitting retail shelves in metro cities by 2026. Partnerships with gyms and wellness communities are also planned to anchor Chanza firmly in India’s growing fitness culture.
Shandi Global’s portfolio abroad already includes plant-based meats, protein soups, and drinks under brands like Forever, Sprouty, and Proty. New snacks, cookies, and ready-to-eat meals are in the works, powered by its proprietary Canatein/Sproutin technology.
Recognition has followed too: at the ‘Vegan India Conference 2025’ in Mumbai, the company bagged the ‘Protein Innovation Icon of the Year Award’, presented by former mp Maneka Gandhi in the presence of cj D.Y. Chandrachud.
With India joining its global expansion map alongside Thailand, Canada, and Australia, Shandi Global isn’t just selling another plant-based product, it’s planting the seed for a protein revolution.
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.
