Zydus Cadila eyes acquisitions in Mexico, S. Africa, CIS

Ahmedabad, July 26

After acquiring companies in Japan and Brazil this year in its quest to emerge among the top 10 global generic companies with sales of $1 billion by 2010, Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Zydus Cadila) is now eyeing acquisitions in Mexico, South Africa and the CIS countries in Central Asia.

Strengthening its base in the world’s second largest pharma market in Japan, Zydus Cadila had, through its subsidiaries, acquired 100 per cent stake in Nippon Universal Pharmaceuticals Ltd for an undisclosed consideration in April and a Brazilian company, Nikkho do Brasil Ltda, for $26 million in June this year.

Dr Ganesh Nayak, Executive Director (Global Business), told Business Line that the company is now focusing on Mexico in the Latin American market.

After acquiring Alpharma in France (2003) and consolidating it, Zydus is talking to companies in Spain and Italy, where the market was good.

Zydus was also exploring South Africa and the CIS countries with similar aims. However, he declined to give details. According to Dr Nayak, Zydus Cadila is now leading the pack amongst the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in India.

In June 2007, for instance, its growth was 29.9 per cent against the average industry growth of 10.8 per cent. Lupin, with 20.5 per cent, followed Zydus, he added.

Taken from Business Line

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