BREEZING IN: Ahmednagar Forgings Ltd
(AFL), a Pune-based company, has
set its sights on
wind power generation and infrastructure development. "The diversification into
generation of power by windmills
and other renewable or non-
conventional resources is being
seriously considered in view of
the incentives being offered by
income tax and sales tax laws,"
company officials said. Windmill
equipment companies including
NEPC Micon have offered to take
up the installation works on
build-operate-transfer basis for the
Rs 82-crore company.
GREEN TECH: Chevron Nigeria, a
leading oil company, took the
first step towards turning environment-friendly by processing the gas
found during oil extraction instead
of flaring it. Until recently, more
than 90 per cent of gas in Nigeria was
being flared during oil production.
The resulting environmental repercussions have led to protests from
local communities in affected parts
of the country and international
activists. "The driving force for this
project is environmental," a Chevron
official said.
HERBAL VENTURE:
With a view to
expanding its market in the US,
Ahmedabad-based
Cadila Pharmaceuticals has tied up
with the US herbal
major Murdock Madaus Schwabe
(MMS). The Indian company will
combine its expertise in research and
development with the wide distribution network ofMMS in the US to sell
herbal drugs. Cadila will introduce
10 to 15 products initially. The company is a leading manufacturer of
bulk drugs, formulations and hospital products.
PREVENTIVE PUFF: All those who are
trying to quit smoking can now look
forward to an inhalable alternative
that simulates a typical smoker's
behaviour. The US Food and Drug
Administration recently gave its
approval to Nicotrol Inhaler, a
nicotine inhalation system for
prescription use. By inhaling
through a cartridge placed in a
mouthpiece, a smoker gets a nicotine
replacement therapy. The device has
been developed by Advanced
Therapeutic Products Inc, which
claimed that it was the first kind of
therapy that fulfIls one of the behavioural patterns of smokers -the
habit of moving hand to the mouth.
HEALTH BYTES: OCS
International Ltd, a
Bangalore-based
software company,
is all set to make its
mark abroad by
bagging a prestigious US $20 million contract to supply health information software to
South Africa (SA). Its 'Medicom software' has been selected for use in 47
hospitals in the northern province of
SA. The project encompassed the
implementation of24 modules covering patient administration, patient
care, medical, financial and administrative services. The company will
also provide consultancy, training
and implementation services to its
local partner IBM.
CROP CONGLOMERATE: The Swiss
agrochemical and drug giant,
Novartis AG, is planning to acquire
the worldwide crop protection
operations of the US drug company
Merck & Co for US $910 million.
The deal will help Novartis plug gaps
in marketing and manufacturing
crop protection products in which it
is already the world leader. Forty-two per cent of Merck's revenue
comes from the US and Novartis
officials expect significant potential
to boost sales in Europe, Asia and
Latin America, where it has a strong
marketing base.
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