What Makes Intas The Most Valuable Privately-Held Pharma Company In India

The fourth edition of Outlook Business ‘The Power of I’ features companies from diverse sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals, packaged foods, auto ancillaries, consumer products, defence equipment and value-added spices. Our oldest entrepreneur HS Shankar of Alpha Design Technologies is 74 years old and the youngest, PC Musthafa of iD Fresh Food is 44. All of them have one thing in common: they went all out to create marquee businesses from modest beginnings. These companies have managed to beat all odds and emerge as market leaders, be it Vini Cosmetics, KRBL or iD Fresh Food, or become preferred partners of the best in the business globally, be it Intas Pharma, Shilpa Medicare or Synthite. Read on to know what sets these companies apart

- Krishna Gopalan

Early Mover

After coming into being in 1985, Intas Pharma had a slow start for about a decade. Its strategy was always to gain a foothold in the chronic therapeutic business, which included neurology and psychiatry. The big break came with the foray into oncology, which has given the company a serious foothold in the international markets. Intas’ strength lies in its ability to identify segments before competition. It managed to do so in oncology and later on with infertility. Now, with the acquisition of Actavis’ assets in the UK and Ireland, its position in the European market will only get stronger. It is hoping to replicate the success story with its entry into biosimilars after having been the first company to launch its offerings in the EU. Even in the domestic market, Intas is among the top ten. Its sustained growth story has helped it in attracting private equity funding and making it the most valuable unlisted Indian pharma company