Our genesis dates back to 1999, when we set up Claris Lifesciences, a healthcare company which specialised in niche and high-entry barrier businesses with a focus on specialty injectables and infusions.

At its peak, the infusions business, which was India and emerging markets centric, had more than 50% market share in the IV fluids segment, in the regions and product SKUs where we were present. In the injectables space, Claris was one of the largest pure play sterile generic injectables companies in India, with approvals from some of the most stringent regulatory bodies in the world, such as the US FDA, MHRA (UK), and TGA (Australia), among others.

In the span of two decades, the company created nearly a billion-dollar valuation, established a world-class integrated business model, introduced over 130 products, built presence in over a 100 countries, had a team of over 4,000 staffers & workers, and was also listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange from 2010 until 2018.

The years 2017-2018 saw the exit of Claris from healthcare. The injectables business was sold to Baxter Inc., USA for a consideration of $625m (Rs4237cr) after delivering a year-on-year growth of 48% from 2013 until 2017. The infusions business, which was valued at $250m (Rs1300cr) in 2013 at the time of entering a JV with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc., Japan and Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Japan where they were given an 80% stake, was completely sold to Otsuka in 2017. The company also after having successfully raised Rs300cr through an IPO listing in 2010, voluntarily delisted from the BSE in 2018, with a payback of over Rs1073cr to investors.

Claris sets a classic example of a business that successfully transitioned from being family-centric to a professionally-run enterprise. At the helm since 2008, Vice Chairman and MD Arjun Handa brought accelerated growth that saw Claris leverage cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities. A former national-level football player, Arjun credits the game for driving his vision to target difficult-to-develop, complex products within the injectables space, which is characterised by high-entry barriers. The lessons he learnt on the pitch, from team spirit to perseverance, have reflected in his ability to strategise, inspire and lead.

Arjun’s commitment to a people-centric culture has helped Claris win The Economic Times and Great Place to Work® Institute, India’s ‘India’s Best Companies To Work For’ award, 8 years in a row. Other accolades included Fortune India’s ‘The Next 500’, Business Standard’s ‘BS 1000’ and Inc. India’s ‘Innovative 100 List’. Arjun has also been recognised for his entrepreneurial and leadership qualities by The Economic Times (Promising Entrepreneurs of India Award) and Enterprise Asia (Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award in the Most Promising category), amongst others.

Parallel to striving for excellence, Claris also serves as a socially responsible organisation, fulfilling goals beyond business commitments. We support and encourage various social causes and focus our capabilities on creating opportunities in the sports and fitness sector, building ecosystems for business and entrepreneurship, and turning the spotlight on art and culture.