Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Limited, is a pioneering, fully integrated global biosimilars company dedicated to transforming healthcare and enhancing lives. Leveraging its ‘lab to market’ expertise, BBL delivers high-quality biosimilars to millions of patients across 120+ countries, ensuring affordable access to life-saving treatments.

Collaboration with Civica

Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), in collaboration with Civica, Inc. (Civica), a not-for-profit generic drug and pharmaceutical company founded in 2018 to tackle critical drug shortages and affordability challenges, today announced a strategic partnership to improve access to Insulin Aspart in the United States.

Under this agreement, Biocon Biologics will supply Insulin Aspart drug substance to Civica, which will manufacture the final drug product—a rapid-acting insulin analogue—at its state-of-the-art facility in Petersburg, Virginia. Following the completion of development and clinical trials, Civica will commercialise the medicine for patients across the United States. Notably, this partnership does not involve any technology transfer.

Statement from Biocon Biologics Ltd

“As a fully integrated global biologics leader, Biocon Biologics is uniquely positioned to drive commercial success through tailored go-to-market strategies that create enduring value for all stakeholders.” 

They further added, “Our collaboration with Civica exemplifies this commitment, enabling us to expand patient access to Insulin Aspart in the United States while reaffirming our dedication to addressing the growing needs of individuals living with diabetes. Together, we are working to ensure that more patients can obtain high-quality, affordable insulin.”

Share Price Performance

At 10:49 AM on March 7, 2025, Biocon Ltd. shares traded  0.98% up at ₹336.25 per share on the NSE.

Conclusion

In order to meet vital patient needs, Biocon Biologics and Civica have partnered strategically to improve Insulin Aspart’s accessibility and affordability in the US. The collaboration strengthens a shared goal to provide affordable, life-saving insulin to patients who need it most by utilising Civica’s dedication to lowering drug shortages and Biocon Biologics’ experience with biosimilars.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited (AZPIL), a subsidiary of AstraZeneca Plc, the esteemed British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology conglomerate, has been a pioneering force in India’s healthcare sector since its inception in 1979. 

Gets NOD to Import

On March 6, 2025, AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd announced that it has secured regulatory approval from India’s drug authority to import and market sodium zirconium cyclosilicate powder for oral suspension, an advanced treatment for hyperkalaemia—elevated potassium levels in the bloodstream—in adult patients.

The authorisation, granted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India, permits the importation of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate powder for oral suspension in 5g and 10g formulations (Lokelma). 

AstraZeneca Pharma India conveyed in a regulatory filing that this approval paves the way for the imminent launch of Lokelma in India, contingent upon the acquisition of requisite statutory clearances.

AstraZeneca Got Approval For Durvalumab

In a recent milestone, AstraZeneca, in February, secured CDSCO’s approval for the sale of its esteemed oncology medication, Durvalumab. 

This regulatory nod encompasses the import, sale, and distribution of Durvalumab solution for infusion in 120mg/2.4ml and 500mg/10ml variants (Imfinzi) for an additional therapeutic indication, reinforcing the company’s commitment to expanding its oncological portfolio in India.

AstraZeneca Pharma Q3 FY25 Results

AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd. exhibited an exceptional performance in Q3 FY25, reporting a remarkable 44% year-on-year surge in revenue from operations, reaching ₹440.29 crore, a substantial escalation from ₹305.79 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. 

The company’s net profit soared to ₹54.68 crore, a staggering increase from ₹15.80 crore in Q3 FY24, underscoring its robust growth trajectory and strategic excellence in the Indian pharmaceutical market.

Share Price Performance

At 10:45 AM on March 7, 2025, AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd. shares traded 0.40% up at ₹7,496.60 per share on the NSE.

Conclusion

AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd is set to expand treatment options for hyperkalaemia in adult patients, reinforcing its commitment to bringing innovative and effective therapies to the Indian healthcare market.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Britannia Industries has announced that Rajneet Singh Kohli, the company’s Executive Director and CEO, has resigned. Kohli submitted his resignation on March 5, 2025, and the board acknowledged it on March 6, 2025. He will be relieved from his position at the end of business hours on March 14, 2025.

Kohli’s Tenure and Resignation Details

Kohli joined Britannia as CEO on September 26, 2022. His resignation letter, addressed to Britannia’s Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Varun Berry, stated that he was stepping down to pursue an external opportunity. The company has not announced a successor.

“After much thought and deliberation, I have reached a tough and difficult decision to resign from the services of the company,” Kohli mentioned in his resignation letter, as per the filing. Before joining Britannia, he held leadership roles at Domino’s India (Jubilant Foodworks), Asian Paints, and Coca-Cola.

Other Recent Exit

Britannia’s Chief Marketing Officer, Amit Doshi, also resigned in February 2025 after a three-year tenure.

Financial Performance

For the quarter ending December 2024, Britannia reported a 4.8% year-on-year increase in net profit, reaching ₹582.3 crore. Revenue from operations grew 7.9% year-on-year to ₹4,592.62 crore. As per the reports, the company has raised prices across its portfolio by 2% and expects a 4-4.5% increase by the end of the financial year.

Britannia Industries Ltd was trading at ₹4,744.00 as of March 7, 11:58 AM, up ₹41.45 (0.88%) for the day, but down 2.60% over the past month and 20.13% over the past six months.

Conclusion

Britannia has stated that it does not plan to make major capital expenditures unless there is a rise in demand. The company’s estimated spending for expansion is capped at ₹150-200 crore for the next financial year.

The company has not provided any details on its leadership transition or long-term strategy following Kohli’s resignation.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Tata Steel Ltd has surpassed Trent Ltd in market capitalization, reclaiming its position as the fourth-largest company within the Tata Group. As of March 6, 2025, Tata Steel’s market capitalization stands at ₹1.88 lakh crore, which is ₹9,600 crore higher than Trent’s valuation of ₹1.78 lakh crore.

As of March 7, 12:13 PM, Tata Steel Ltd was trading at ₹150.10, down 0.23% today, but up 8.52% in the past month, while Trent Ltd is at ₹5,014.55, down 1.08% today and 8.06% lower over the past month.

Stock Movement and Market Cap Changes

Trent had previously overtaken Tata Steel in market cap seven months ago, when its stock hit an all-time high of ₹8,345 per share in October 2024. At that time, the gap between the two companies was ₹95,000 crore, with Trent holding a major lead. However, Trent’s stock has declined 40% from its peak, leading to a drop in its market capitalization.

Meanwhile, Tata Steel’s stock has increased by 21% from its January lows. On March 6, the stock saw a 3% rise on the BSE, contributing to its higher market valuation.

Market Cap Share

Tata Steel now accounts for 6.9% of the Tata Group’s total market capitalization, compared to Trent’s 6.5%. The Tata Group’s overall market capitalization currently stands at ₹27.5 lakh crore, making it India’s largest conglomerate.

In October 2024, Trent’s market cap stood at ₹2.93 lakh crore, briefly surpassing Avenue Supermarts (D-Mart), which had a valuation of ₹2.73 lakh crore at the time. However, a decline in Trent’s stock price has since reduced its market cap.

Performance of Tata Group Stocks in 2025

Among Tata Group companies, only three stocks have delivered positive returns in 2025 so far:

• Benares Hotels: 47% gain
• Tata Steel: 21% gain from January lows
• Tata Consumer Products: 4% gain

Conclusion

Tata Steel’s increase in market capitalisation has changed its ranking within the Tata Group, while Trent’s decline reflects a shift in stock performance trends over recent months.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

JioHotstar, the newly formed media company backed by Reliance Industries through Viacom18 after the merger of Viacom18 and Disney’s Star India, is to lay off approximately 1,100 employees. The layoffs, which began in early February, are expected to continue until June 2025. The job cuts are aimed at eliminating overlapping roles across departments, as per the reports.

As of March 7, 12:59 PM, Reliance Industries Ltd is trading at ₹1,249.75, up ₹40.15 (3.32%) today, but down 1.34% over the past month and 15.50% over the past year.

Departments Affected

The layoffs will primarily impact corporate functions, including finance, commercial, legal, and distribution teams. Employees across different levels, from entry-level positions to senior directors, are reportedly affected by the restructuring process.

Severance Package Details

JioHotstar is offering severance packages based on tenure. Employees who are laid off will receive between six and 12 months’ salary. Additionally, for every year completed at the company, an extra month’s full salary will be provided. The notice period ranges from one to three months.

JioHotstar’s Ownership and Market Position

JioHotstar is valued at ₹70,352 crore ($8.5 billion) and is backed by Reliance Industries and The Walt Disney Company. Reliance holds a majority stake through Viacom18, while Disney owns 36.84%. Nita Ambani serves as the chairperson, and Uday Shankar is the vice chairperson.

JioHotstar Launch and Streaming Consolidation

As part of its restructuring, JioHotstar recently launched JioHotstar, a merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. The platform, which launched on February 14, offers free content access for limited hours and has subscription plans starting at ₹149.

The combined platform integrates content from both streaming services, with Disney+ Hotstar reporting 333 million monthly active users as of December 2023, and JioCinema reaching 225 million monthly active users in FY24.

Conclusion

The layoffs are part of the broader integration process following the Viacom18-Disney merger. The company has not responded to queries regarding the job cuts. The restructuring is to align resources across different divisions as JioHotstar continues consolidating its operations.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Laurus Labs Ltd. has approved an ₹833 million investment in KRKA Pharma Private Limited, its joint venture with KRKA d.d., Novo mesto, Slovenia. KRKA d.d. will contribute ₹867 million, maintaining the 51:49 shareholding structure between the two companies.  

Following the announcement, as of March 7, 12:50 PM, Laurus Labs Ltd is trading at ₹571.20, down ₹9.35 (1.61%) for the day. Over the past month, the stock has declined by 10.94%, but it remains up by 35.36% over the past year.

Investment Details

Laurus Labs will complete its ₹833 mn investment by March 31, 2025, through a cash subscription to 83.3 million equity shares of KRKA Pharma at ₹10 per share. KRKA d.d. will invest ₹867 mn, ensuring no change in the existing shareholding ratio, with KRKA d.d. holding 51% and Laurus Labs 49%.

As per the filing, the investment will go towards land acquisition and setting up a manufacturing facility for KRKA Pharma. The joint venture was incorporated in April 2024 and has not yet started operations. The manufacturing unit will focus on finished pharmaceutical products for new markets, including India.

The company has not provided further details on the timeline for the facility’s completion.

Regulatory Compliance

Since KRKA Pharma is a joint venture of Laurus Labs, the investment falls under related party transactions. However, Laurus Labs has stated that the transaction is being conducted at arm’s length. The company also confirmed that no additional regulatory or government approvals are required for the investment.

KRKA Pharma’s Background

KRKA Pharma was incorporated on April 12, 2024, under the Companies Act, 2013. The company has an authorized share capital of ₹270 crore, divided into 27 crore equity shares of ₹10 each. Its paid-up share capital currently stands at ₹45 crore, with 4.5 crore equity shares of ₹10 each.

Conclusion

Overall, the investment will be used for setting up a manufacturing facility, with no change in the existing shareholding structure between Laurus Labs and KRKA d.d.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.

The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) has filed a petition with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against leading quick commerce platforms—Blinkit, Swiggy’s Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto. 

The petition, submitted on February 28, accuses these platforms of selling products at 50% lower prices than those available in traditional and modern trade outlets. The distributors argue that this practice is unfair and harms both offline retailers and FMCG distributors by disrupting market competition.  

Impact on Retailers and Traditional Trade

 AICPDF claims that such deep discounting has resulted in the closure of over 2,00,000 local retail shops in nearly 75-80 cities where these quick commerce platforms operate. The petition highlights that if FMCG companies are funding these discounts, it raises concerns about why quick commerce, which currently accounts for only 9% of overall trade, is being prioritised over established retail formats. The industry body has also submitted evidence of 25 discounted products to support its claims of predatory pricing and possible exclusive supply agreements.  

Previous Complaints and Regulatory Actions

 This is not the first time AICPDF has raised concerns. In October 2024, it had written to CCI and the Ministry of Commerce, urging an investigation into Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart. This time, the organisation has directly approached the antitrust regulator, reinforcing its stance against the growing dominance of quick commerce platforms. The petition also suggests introducing a minimum discount limit of 10% on FMCG products to maintain a fair playing field for all sellers.  

Market Growth and Investor Interest in Quick Commerce

Despite the controversy, quick commerce has been expanding rapidly. A March 4 research note by Bernstein states that the sector has grown to a $10 billion market within two years, with projections to surpass $75 billion by 2032. Research firm Datum Intelligence found that 82% of buyers have shifted at least 25% of their purchases from Kirana stores to quick commerce platforms. Zepto alone raised $1.2 billion in funding last year and is preparing for an IPO in 2025.  

Concerns Over Market Monopoly and Future Challenges

AICPDF warns that the deep pockets of quick commerce firms enable them to engage in deliberate losses through predatory pricing, pushing small retailers out of business. 

In response to similar issues, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has also filed a separate case against Zomato and Swiggy over their 10-minute food delivery services. While analysts predict that quick commerce firms may reduce discounts due to profitability pressures, traditional retailers continue to demand stricter regulations to prevent market monopolies.  

Conclusion

The petition by AICPDF has reignited the debate on market fairness and competitive practices in India’s retail sector. While quick commerce platforms provide convenience and competitive pricing to consumers, their rapid expansion raises concerns about sustainability, fairness, and the survival of traditional retailers. The CCI’s response to this complaint will be crucial in shaping the future regulatory framework for quick commerce in India.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.