Ranbaxy to follow hybrid business model: Daiichi CEO

India���s largest pharma company Ranbaxy���s board was reconstituted on December 19, following Daiichi Sankyo���s acquisition of nearly 64% of its equity capital. Daiichi Sankyo president and CEO Takashi Shoda and Ranbaxy chairman Malvinder M Singh in their joint interview outlined the company���s focus and future plans.

Q1 What will be the focus of Daiichi Sankyo after gaining management control? Will it continue to pursue first-to-file patent challenges?

Shoda:

Ranbaxy will follow a hybrid business model��� not only of innovation, but also generics.

Singh:

Our business model in US will continue and we will continue to look for first-tofile opportunities in the world���s largest market. At present, we are pursuing around 15 FTF cases, after a few were settled recently.

Q2 Doesn���t the aggressive focus of Ranbaxy in challenging patents in US, clash with Daiichi, an innovator company that respects intellectual property?

Singh:

We will work with Daiichi and its partners when we are finalizing our generic strategy . We will evaluate life cycle management of drugs before deciding our strategy and take into account Daiichi and its various alliances with world majors. There is a huge scope for generics even if there are innovator products available in the market.

Q3 Will the company���s focus on research and development change?

Singh:

R&D continues to be an integral part of the company. We have 8-10 new chemical entities (NCEs) in the pipeline at various stages. The most advanced is the malaria molecule in Phase III trials. Now we can work with Daiichi on many areas and on innovative products to leverage each others strengths and create a new model for sustainable growth.

Q4 What will be Daiichi���s focus in India?

Shoda:

Daiichi has a wide portfolio of therapeutic medicines like cardio-vascular , autoimmune disorders, oncology and diabetes.