Cipla Global Ltd. (CGL) is a real-life, undisguised selection case. CGL is one of the top pharmaceutical companies in India. Because of India's process patent regime (1970-2005), Dr. Yusuf Hamied, the company's chairman, managed to catapult the company to its position as a top generics manufacturer. Nevertheless, in 2005, India changed its Patents Act to make it TRIPS compliant. Faced with Western pharmaceutical companies' 'evergreening', CGL became a leading crusader against multinationals. It fought and won patent cases in Indian courts.
On the other hand, the government of India took advantage of the TRIPS provisions to authorize Indian businesses to make copies of patented drugs with no patent holder's permission. Western pharmaceutical companies infuriated because they viewed this provision as an infringement on their rights, which will result in decreased sales. As a consequence, they began lobbying their respective governments to put pressure on the Indian government. The case ends using a dilemma about the best course of action for CGL going forward, given the various options offered by the sector, on the other, on the one hand, and the dreams of its own chairman.
PUBLICATION DATE: December 17, 2015 PRODUCT #: HEC116-HCB-ENG
This is just an excerpt. This case is about STRATEGY & EXECUTION
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