India's drug authority has approved a paper-strip test for Covid-19 that shows results in less than an hour, the head of the government institute that invented the test told CNN. The test, called FELUDA—an acronym for FNCAS9 Editor-Limited Uniform Detection Assay—was named after a popular Indian fictional detective. It intends to "address...
Indian airline Spicejet turns to seaplanes to boost travel
India's biggest regional airline Spicejet has obtained approval for 18 seaplane routes within India. One of these routes is to Kevadia, the site of the world’s tallest statue – a 182-meter tribute to the country’s first home minister, Vallabhbhai Patel. During the pandemic, SpiceJet is focusing on new sources of revenue,...
Aurobindo Pharma inks pact to sell US-based unit for USD 550 mn
Aurobindo Pharma has announced reaching a definitive agreement to sell Natrol LLC, one of its American units to an affiliate of New Mountain Capital to combine with Jarrow Formulas. The all-cash transaction is valued at $550 million. Subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close...
Pidilite Industries acquires Huntsman Advanced Materials Solutions Pvt Ltd
India's Pidilite Industries Ltd, signed a definitive agreement with Huntsman Group for acquiring a 100 percent stake in one of its subsidiaries in India - Huntsman Advanced Materials Solutions Pvt Ltd (HAMSPL) — for over $300 million. HAMSPL manufactures and sells adhesives, sealants, and other products under brands such as...
Netflix Tests Free weekend access in India
Netflix plans to give users in India access to its service at no charge for a weekend as part of a test to expand its reach in the country, a top company executive said. The American streaming giant Netflix, which reported slow user growth for the quarter that ended in September,...
Uber is hiring hundreds of engineers in India
Uber said it is working to hire 225 engineers in India, strengthening its tech team in the key overseas market. The ride-hailing firm, which competes with Ola in India, said it has hired Manikandan Thangarathnam, who spent nearly 13 years as a director of engineering at Amazon, to lead the company’s rider and...