Why BioLight Life Sciences' India entry is good news for Dilip Shanghvi
The medium-sized Israeli company specialises in cancer and glaucoma diagnostic products
Digbijay Mishra | New Delhi January 19, 2015 Last Updated at 19:32 IST
After a dream run with the Ranbaxy acquisition, Sun Pharma founder Dilip Shanghvi's fortune seems to be on an uptrend. Israel-based BioLight Life Sciences, in which Shanghvi holds a 21.45 per cent stake, is gearing up for its India foray in the next few months, it is learnt. The medium-sized Israeli company specialises in cancer and glaucoma diagnostic products.
BioLight keen on being present in India and is in discussions with Sun for a possible tie-up, sources said. The Israeli firm is yet to get a nod from the Indian regulator for its commercial entry into the country.
Suzana Nahum-Zilberberg, CEO of BioLight, was recently in India. According to sources, distribution gateway in India was one of Zilberberg's agendas during her visit. She has worked for 12 years at Teva Pharma as vice-president Asia and Pacific, driving Teva's business into Japanese and Chinese markets.
An email questionnaire sent to BioLight and Sun Pharma remained un-answered till the time of going to press.
While a possible arrangement between Sun Pharma and BioLight is yet to be finalised, industry sources say Shanghvi's personal investments have been made keeping in mind the long-term dividends those could offer.
BioLight focuses on investments in small, research-oriented biotech companies. The company has controlling stake in Micromedic Technologies, which has developed a range of cancer diagnostic tools. The other portfolio company is IOPtima, an ophthalmology specialty company. Sun has sizable presence in ophthalmology.
