An out-of-the-box decision-maker who is raring, daring and ambitious...perhaps that sums up the quality traits of Malvinder Mohan Singh, the man who heads India's biggest multinational pharmaceutical company, Ranbaxy.
Thirty four-years-young Singh, who has been in charge of $1.2 billion Ranbaxy as CEO and managing director for exactly a year now, has already spearheaded eight significant acquisitions within and outside the country for his company. And the best pick may be just months ahead - with this young entrepreneur announcing his plans to bid for the world's third biggest generic maker Merck KGaA's assets.
Though it is too early to rank the chances of Ranbaxy in winning the bidding race, what makes the development special to experts is the courage shown by an Indian entrepreneur to aspire for the toughest race. For the same reason, Singh belongs to the rare breed of pathbreakers.
It was on January 18, 2006 that Singh took charge of the entire operations of the company promoted by his family. The previous year, 2005, was not so good for Ranbaxy due to reduced profits and it was for Singh to see a turnaround - which he did - in its fortunes. The company is expected to show at least 15 per cent jump in its profits this year.
Singh joined Ranbaxy in 1998 and worked through various functions of general management, sales and marketing, finance and business development. Prior to being appointed as CEO and MD, he was responsible for the company's global operations, as president-pharmaceuticals.
Singh dreams about expanding his business multifold to become a $5 billion firm by 2012. Acquisitions in the US, Europe and emerging markets based on the value and synergies, that can be unlocked from such transactions, is what he is looking at.
As his public stance on Merck opportunity clearly signifies, he is determined to evaluate acquisition opportunities based on their strategic fit and commercial viability.
His business outlook towards key markets is to continue to launch new products and focus on expanding the product basket through vanilla generics, niche/value added products, complex technology products and first to file (para IV) products.
His emphasis is on improving product prescription market shares, increasing product listings with chain store customers and on expanding Ranbaxy's distribution reach with major wholesalers and retail chains in the key markets.
An MBA from the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, USA and an alumni of Delhi's prestigious St Stephen's College, Singh is a member of the Young Global Leaders Forum, an initiative of the World Economic Forum.
Malvinder Mohan Singh hails from a family that not only owns majority stake in Ranbaxy, but also has diversified interests in the healthcare segment. Thus, Singh is a board member in Fortis Healthcare Limited, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre Limited and SRL Ranbaxy.
He is also the chairman of Religare Enterprises Limited and heads the National Committee on Technology and IPR of the Confederation of Indian Industry.