&w=3840&q=100)
5 launches ahead; leading the GLP-1 market: Biocon Biologics MD & CEO
Achieving 15 per cent year-on-year growth, with nearly four biosimilars with $200 million in revenue, is a big feat, says Tambe
Anjali Singh Aneeka Chatterjee
Listen to This Article
Biocon Biologics (BBL) reported robust growth in 2024-25 (FY25), driven by rising biosimilar market share in the US and emerging markets (EMs). Its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shreehas P Tambe, in conversation with Anjali Singh and Aneeka Chatterjee, outlines the company's product pipeline, insulin strategy, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) plans, and efforts to strengthen global presence. Edited excerpts:
What were the key drivers for BBL's growth in the fourth quarter of FY25?
Achieving 15 per cent year-on-year revenue growth, with nearly four biosimilars generating $200 million in revenue, is a huge feat. It reflects strong customer confidence in our
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
12 hours ago
- NDTV
All About O-1 Visa, Entry Route To US Gaining Popularity Among Indians
Washington: As Indians face challenges in getting a work visa in the United States due to long queues and the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, the O-1 visa is emerging as an alternative for professionals seeking job opportunities in the US. The O-1 is a specialised non-immigrant visa for individuals with "extraordinary ability" in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), arts, education, business, athletics, or the film or television industry. Established under the Immigration Act of 1990, the O-1 visa is being touted as an alternative to the increasingly competitive H-1B visa, but "with no lottery system." What Is An O-1 Visa? The O-1 offers a temporary entry into the US to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim, or a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture and television industry. To get this visa, applicants are required to meet at least three of eight rigorous criteria, such as major awards, scholarly publications, or original contributions to their field. Unlike the H-1B, which has a mere 37 per cent approval rate due to intense scrutiny, the O-1 allows high-skilled talent to bypass systemic uncertainties. It gives more eligibility flexibility to applicants, as it requires no minimum salary or formal degree, and accepts international awards or media coverage as proof of an individual's achievements. However, an O-1A visa application is typically much costlier than the H-1B application. Its costs range from $10,000-$30,000, around 10 times higher than H-1B fees. But, it has a success rate of 93 per cent and offers initial validity for up to three years with unlimited extensions. O-1 Visa Gaining Popularity Among Indians According to the US Department of State data, O-1A issuances surged from 8,838 in FY2020 to 18,994 in FY2023, with Indians driving much of this growth. Per the FY2023 data, Indians were the third-largest cohort of O-1A visa recipients globally, by receiving 1,418 O-1A visas, trailing only the U.K. and Brazil. The visa is not only becoming increasingly popular among solo entrepreneurs, but also among multinational firms like Google and Tesla. Highlighting its accessibility beyond traditional employment, Soundarya Balasubramani, a 28-year-old founder of educational venture The Curious Maverick, told Ecanomics Times (ET), recounted the ease with which she secured an O-1A as a solo entrepreneur. "I got my O-1A (visa) approved as the solo founder and 100 per cent owner of an educational venture that publishes books and builds communities," she said. Another reason for its popularity is no lottery system in the O-1 category. Sahil Nyati, founder at Jinee Green Card, describes the O-1A as an H-1B visa without a lottery. "There's definitely higher interest in O-1A, simply because it's like an H-1B without a lottery, although it's not a piece of cake," Nyati told ET. In FY2024, a total of 225,957 H-1B visas were approved as compared to only 22,669 O-1s. But since then, the demand for H-1B has seen a declining trend, while O-1s are witnessing nearly 10 per cent year-on-year growth. Aslam Ahmed, Partner, Singhania & Co, told the publication that companies like Google, OpenAI, Tesla, and McKinsey are among those open to recruiting promising new talent from India and attracting well-established players in their fields to their US headquarters. "Top universities like Harvard, Yale and Columbia are always looking to hire the best faculty and researchers globally," he added.
Economic Times
14 hours ago
- Economic Times
Forget weight-loss jabs: These nutritionist-approved foods can naturally cut fat without side effects
iStock Dubai-based dietitian suggests that everyday foods like avocados, oats, eggs, and chia seeds can mimic the effects of popular weight-loss injections—without the side effects. These natural options support digestion, suppress cravings, and help regulate blood sugar. (Image: iStock) In an era where weight-loss injections are making headlines for their dramatic results, one nutrition expert argues you might not need a prescription to slim down—just a better grocery list. Maria AbiHanna, a Dubai-based dietitian and certified eating disorder practitioner, recently told The Daily Mail that several simple food groups can naturally mimic the effects of popular weight-loss medications that stimulate the GLP-1 hormone. These jabs—originally designed for diabetes and now used widely for weight loss—work by slowing digestion and promoting satiety. But they also come with a host of unpleasant side effects, from nausea and diarrhoea to long-term dependency concerns. AbiHanna's point? Your fridge can do what the pharmacy does—without the backlash. At the top of her list are healthy fats like avocados, nut butters, and oily fish such as mackerel. These aren't just calorie-rich snacks—they help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like D and E, promote heart health, and most importantly, curb cravings. While fats were once the villains of weight loss, science now champions them as satiety superstars. Protein is another powerful player. Eggs, Greek yogurt, and edamame beans pack in protein that doesn't just fuel your muscles—it also 'turns off cravings before they even start,' AbiHanna explained. A single serving of Greek yogurt offers up to 20 grams of protein, helping you stay full for hours without snacking. Then there's fibre—the often-overlooked hero of gut health and sustained fullness. Foods like oats, lentils, and chia seeds not only slow digestion but also help keep blood sugar steady. Chia seeds, for example, expand in your stomach, literally creating a sense of fullness. Lentils and oats, with their mix of fibre and resistant starch, offer long-lasting satisfaction without a calorie spike. Despite these benefits, most people fall short. According to the British Dietetic Association, the average Brit consumes only 18g of fibre daily—well below the recommended 30g. Yet a 2023 study in Science confirmed that those on fibre-rich diets lost significantly more weight than others, even when calorie intake was roughly the same. Leafy greens and high-volume, low-calorie veggies like cucumber and broccoli play a clever trick on the body: they stretch the stomach without loading it with calories. 'To feel fuller on fewer calories,' AbiHanna advised, 'add greens to every meal.' And when it comes to carbohydrates—often blamed for weight gain—it's the type that counts. Slow-burning carbs like sweet potatoes and quinoa release energy gradually, preventing the spikes and crashes that lead to cravings. 'Think long-term fuel, not fast-burning fire,' she said. 'If it stabilises your blood sugar, it stabilises your hunger.' Even snack time can be strategic. Green tea and matcha can suppress hunger pangs naturally, and simple combinations like apple slices provide the ideal balance of fibre and fat to keep you satisfied without reaching for sugary alternatives. AbiHanna sums it up best: 'This isn't about dieting or willpower—it's about working with your biology, not against it.' Weight-loss drugs have skyrocketed in popularity, some users report losing up to 20% of their body weight in mere months. But the side effects—and the dependency risks—are leading many to seek sustainable, food-based alternatives. While medications have their place in combating obesity, this fresh perspective reminds us that sometimes the simplest solutions lie not in a syringe, but in a salad bowl.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Forget weight-loss jabs: These nutritionist-approved foods can naturally cut fat without side effects
In an era where weight-loss injections are making headlines for their dramatic results, one nutrition expert argues you might not need a prescription to slim down—just a better grocery list. Maria AbiHanna, a Dubai-based dietitian and certified eating disorder practitioner, recently told The Daily Mail that several simple food groups can naturally mimic the effects of popular weight-loss medications that stimulate the GLP-1 hormone . These jabs—originally designed for diabetes and now used widely for weight loss—work by slowing digestion and promoting satiety. But they also come with a host of unpleasant side effects, from nausea and diarrhoea to long-term dependency concerns. AbiHanna's point? Your fridge can do what the pharmacy does—without the backlash. Avocados Over Injections? At the top of her list are healthy fats like avocados, nut butters, and oily fish such as mackerel. These aren't just calorie-rich snacks—they help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like D and E, promote heart health, and most importantly, curb cravings. While fats were once the villains of weight loss, science now champions them as satiety superstars. Protein is another powerful player. Eggs, Greek yogurt, and edamame beans pack in protein that doesn't just fuel your muscles—it also 'turns off cravings before they even start,' AbiHanna explained. A single serving of Greek yogurt offers up to 20 grams of protein, helping you stay full for hours without snacking. You Might Also Like: Alia Bhatt's nutritionist guarantees this weight loss diet plan is the only one that always works The Fibre Factor Then there's fibre—the often-overlooked hero of gut health and sustained fullness. Foods like oats, lentils, and chia seeds not only slow digestion but also help keep blood sugar steady. Chia seeds, for example, expand in your stomach, literally creating a sense of fullness. Lentils and oats, with their mix of fibre and resistant starch, offer long-lasting satisfaction without a calorie spike. Despite these benefits, most people fall short. According to the British Dietetic Association, the average Brit consumes only 18g of fibre daily—well below the recommended 30g. Yet a 2023 study in Science confirmed that those on fibre-rich diets lost significantly more weight than others, even when calorie intake was roughly the same. iStock Foods like oats, lentils, and chia seeds not only slow digestion but also help keep blood sugar steady. (Image: iStock) Volume Eating: The Trick of Feeling Full Leafy greens and high-volume, low-calorie veggies like cucumber and broccoli play a clever trick on the body: they stretch the stomach without loading it with calories. 'To feel fuller on fewer calories,' AbiHanna advised, 'add greens to every meal.' And when it comes to carbohydrates—often blamed for weight gain—it's the type that counts. Slow-burning carbs like sweet potatoes and quinoa release energy gradually, preventing the spikes and crashes that lead to cravings. 'Think long-term fuel, not fast-burning fire,' she said. 'If it stabilises your blood sugar, it stabilises your hunger.' You Might Also Like: Want to lose weight faster? This science-backed diet plan can help you lower weight and cholesterol levels faster than intermittent eating iStock Leafy greens and high-volume, low-calorie veggies like cucumber and broccoli play a clever trick on the body: they stretch the stomach without loading it with calories. (Image: iStock) Snack Smarter, Not Harder Even snack time can be strategic. Green tea and matcha can suppress hunger pangs naturally, and simple combinations like apple slices provide the ideal balance of fibre and fat to keep you satisfied without reaching for sugary alternatives. AbiHanna sums it up best: 'This isn't about dieting or willpower—it's about working with your biology, not against it.' iStock Green tea and matcha can suppress hunger pangs naturally. (Image: iStock) The Bigger Picture Weight-loss drugs have skyrocketed in popularity, some users report losing up to 20% of their body weight in mere months. But the side effects—and the dependency risks—are leading many to seek sustainable, food-based alternatives. While medications have their place in combating obesity, this fresh perspective reminds us that sometimes the simplest solutions lie not in a syringe, but in a salad bowl. You Might Also Like: R Madhavan's weight loss and fitness secret is just one simple rule; literally anyone can follow it
