Brands
Vida and KKR team up for a three season electric partnership
MUMBAI: Cricket jerseys are getting an electric upgrade and this one comes with serious wattage. Vida, Hero Motocorp’s emerging electric mobility brand, has signed on as the title partner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), locking in a three-season association that places the EV maker front and centre on one of the IPL’s most recognisable kits. The deal marks a decisive push by Vida into mainstream sport as it looks to tap younger, aspiration-driven audiences.
The partnership pairs two brands pitching themselves as future-facing. On one side is KKR, a franchise known for its bold branding and on-field aggression; on the other, Vida, positioning itself as a challenger in India’s fast-evolving electric two-wheeler market. The common thread: performance, ambition and a pitch to a generation keen to move faster whether on the crease or the road.
Under the agreement, Vida becomes the front-of-jersey title sponsor for KKR for the upcoming season, with the association running for three years. Beyond branding, the partnership will roll out a slate of fan engagement initiatives through the season, spotlighting performances defined by speed, agility and leadership cues carefully aligned with Vida’s electric-first mobility narrative.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore said the franchise looks to partner with brands “shaping the future”, adding that Vida’s electric mobility ambitions fit neatly with the team’s forward-looking ethos. For Vida, the tie-up offers visibility at the intersection of sport, culture and technology, a space increasingly crowded but still powerful.
Hero Motocorp chief business officer for emerging mobility business unit Kausalya Nandakumar said the association mirrors the confidence and resilience of what brands often describe as a “new India”, one that is comfortable with change and willing to embrace more sustainable choices.
The deal underlines a broader trend, electric mobility brands moving beyond functional messaging to tap emotion, fandom and cultural relevance. Cricket, with its unmatched reach and ritualised loyalty, remains the fastest lane into that conversation.
As the season unfolds, Vida and KKR will both be chasing momentum, one on the scoreboard, the other on India’s roads hoping that a shared jersey can help power progress in more ways than one.
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.
