Managing Director Bikram Basu says The Collective is designed to be acquired on pre order by serious collectors rather than sold at scale
Category: Business
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Sixty bottles, three decades, and one collector vision shape ABD Maestro’s first ultra luxury expression
Mumbai, 5 February 2026: ABD Maestro has unveiled The Collective, a new ultra luxury spirits initiative defined by extreme rarity, long aged provenance, and a deliberate focus on collectors rather than volume led distribution.
The whisky is presented in a handmade wooden outer box, with visible evidence of craftsmanship and individuality. Each bottle is accompanied by a personally signed letter from Ranveer Singh, who is a co founder of ABD Maestro. The expression is priced at ₹11 lakh for a 700 ml bottle in Maharashtra and is available strictly through pre order, travel retail, and select cities in India.
Commenting on the release, Bikram Basu, Managing Director of ABD Maestro, said the intent behind The Collective is to curate spirits that are acquired rather than sold. He said each edition is shaped by quiet luxury, uncompromising craftsmanship, and a belief that rarity and provenance carry value in themselves for collectors and connoisseurs.
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A Universal Anticoagulant Reversal Therapy Moves Closer to Late Stage Trials with Fresh Capital
Dr Sasha Bakhru says 108 BioCapital’s $20 million investment into Pinwheel Therapeutics will fund a Phase 2b trial of Ciraparantag, a late stage anticoagulant reversal asset.
India, February 5, 2026: Pinwheel Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing differentiated therapeutic assets, has raised $20 million from US based growth equity firm 108 BioCapital. The capital will support a Phase 2b clinical trial of Ciraparantag, a universal anticoagulant reversal therapy.
The investment follows the first close of over $40 million by 108 BioCapital, which is in the process of registering a Gift City feeder vehicle. The fund is backed by several prominent investors, including the family office of Mike Bingle of Silverlake Partners, Claypond, the family office of Dr Ranjan Pai, Chairman and Managing Director of Manipal Group, the Daftary family, promoters of Bharat Serum, Suresh Vazirani of Erba TransAsia Group, and Siddharth Parekh, Founder of Paragon Partners, along with other US based and global institutional investors.The transaction represents a special situation recapitalisation of a late stage clinical asset acquired following the sale of PE backed Covis Pharmaceuticals to Azurity Pharmaceuticals. The investment comes ahead of a defined late stage clinical inflection point for Ciraparantag.
Commenting on the investment, Sasha Bakhru, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of 108 BioCapital, said the transaction marks the fund’s inaugural investment and reflects its focus on next generation clinical stage opportunities addressing high impact unmet medical needs. He added that Ciraparantag has the potential to address a significant gap in emergency anticoagulant reversal following the withdrawal of Andexxa from the US market in December 2025.Ciraparantag was originally invented and developed by Perosphere Pharmaceuticals and is designed to reverse the effects of direct oral Factor Xa inhibitors such as Eliquis, Xarelto, and Lixiana, as well as direct thrombin inhibitors like Pradaxa, and both low molecular weight and unfractionated heparins. The therapy is being developed as a ready to use intravenous injection for emergency settings including trauma, intracranial haemorrhage, and urgent surgical procedures.
Pinwheel Therapeutics holds worldwide rights and patents for Ciraparantag until at least the first quarter of 2034. The company also retains the flexibility to re license territories, creating potential non dilutive revenue streams and further de risking the asset ahead of a strategic exit.General Partners at 108 BioCapital, Shom Jagtiani and Shahryar Oveissi, said the US healthcare market presents a strong opportunity, with the fund maintaining a pipeline of pre identified portfolio companies. They noted that the firm follows an operationally engaged investment approach, working closely with management teams to navigate critical clinical and commercial milestones.
The global anticoagulant reversal market is estimated at approximately $1.4 billion and continues to expand as the use of direct oral anticoagulants increases among aging populations in the US and Europe. Despite the scale of the market, limited approved therapies and clinical competition have historically constrained effective reversal options.At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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Digital Safety and Financial Protection Emerge as Key Stress Points in the अ-Nishchit Index 2.0, Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance
The nationwide study highlights lower uncertainty among financially prepared individuals, with insurance coverage, digital risks, and socio economic segmentation shaping anxiety levels across cities.
Hyderabad, February 3, 2026: India continues to experience elevated levels of uncertainty driven by financial pressures, health related challenges, digital risks, and broader societal factors. With the national uncertainty index at 79, concerns around financial readiness, personal safety, healthcare costs, and long term stability remain persistent, according to findings from the अ-Nishchit Index 2.0 commissioned by Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance.
The study records Hyderabad’s uncertainty index at 76, lower than the national average but higher than the South Zone benchmark of 71. Digital safety emerges as the most dominant theme shaping anxiety levels in the city. Residents ranked personal data safety, security of online financial transactions, and vulnerability to online scams as their top three concerns.Beyond digital risks, respondents also cited rising crime rates, increasing pollution, and the impact of government tariffs on the cost of living as contributors to city wide stress. Infrastructure related concerns were evident, with doubts around whether urban systems can keep pace with rapid population growth. Workplace stress, mental health pressures, and the effect of global conflicts on prices further compound uncertainty.
The data highlights a strong relationship between financial protection and confidence. Uncertainty declines steadily as insurance coverage increases, dropping sharply to an index of 64 among individuals holding four or more insurance policies, compared to 77 among those with one or two policies. A similar pattern is observed in investment ownership, where lower uncertainty is reported among individuals holding either one or four plus investment instruments.Socio economic segmentation reveals significant variation. Respondents from SEC B and SEC C reported uncertainty levels of 82 and 83 respectively, markedly higher than the score of 64 recorded among SEC A respondents. The findings underline how access to financial buffers, resources, and preparedness plays a critical role in shaping confidence.
Across demographics, uncertainty levels remain broadly consistent, though women reported slightly higher anxiety than men. Older age groups, particularly Baby Boomers and Gen X, showed higher uncertainty compared to Millennials and Gen Z. Business owners and salaried professionals reported nearly identical anxiety levels, while married individuals with children indicated marginally higher stress than singles or married individuals without children.Overall, the findings reinforce that uncertainty in urban India is shaped by a combination of digital safety concerns, financial responsibilities, health preparedness, and lifestyle pressures across life stages. The study underscores the importance of proactive planning and adequate financial protection in helping individuals build resilience and reduce anxiety over time.
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Cross continental collaboration opens new pathway for integrated workplace delivery with ANJ
India and UK based firms align capabilities to serve multinational clients with coordinated design and build solutions
Mumbai, 3 February 2026: ANJ Group has entered into its first international strategic collaboration, establishing a cross continental framework to deliver integrated workplace solutions for multinational organisations through a partnership with United Kingdom headquartered WFG Group.
The collaboration brings together complementary strengths across workplace strategy, design, and build execution, enabling coordinated delivery across India, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The arrangement is designed to support multinational clients seeking consistent service standards, shared innovation, and seamless project execution across time zones and geographies.Through the alliance, both organisations will work closely to align design intent, delivery processes, and operational frameworks, allowing them to respond more effectively to evolving workplace requirements. The partnership also facilitates creative exchange and knowledge sharing, strengthening the ability of both groups to deliver integrated solutions at scale.
Jay Kularia, Executive Director of ANJ Group, said the collaboration reflects a strategic progression in the company’s global journey. He said as workplace requirements become increasingly borderless, the focus has shifted toward ensuring consistency, quality, and insight across markets. He added that combining ANJ’s integrated design and build expertise with WFG Group’s established multi brand presence in the UK and Europe creates a platform for deeper collaboration and faster innovation.WFG Group operates through specialist brands including Modus, Ambit, Two, and Platfform, each offering expertise across workplace strategy, design innovation, fit out delivery, and furniture consultancy. Together, these capabilities support a multi disciplinary approach to workplace transformation for clients across sectors.
A spokesperson from ANJ Group said the collaboration is grounded in a shared vision around people centric, future ready workplaces. The spokesperson said the alliance strengthens the ability to support global clients with locally grounded expertise while advancing how workplaces are designed, delivered, and experienced.The partnership is intended to deepen service capability, enhance creative exchange, and support the delivery of workplaces that respond to changing organisational needs. Both organisations said the collaboration reinforces a shared commitment to innovation, quality, and long term client value in an evolving global workplace landscape.
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First time access to formal credit scales for women dairy farmers with ₹100 crore milestone at Dvara E Dairy
Agri fintech platform reaches over 11,000 borrowers across 700 villages through cattle based lending model
Chennai, 3 February 2026: Dvara E-Dairy has crossed ₹100 crore in cumulative loan disbursements, marking a significant step in expanding formal credit access for women dairy farmers through a technology led and scalable dairy finance model.
The disbursements have reached more than 11,000 women dairy farmers across over 700 villages, many of whom are accessing institutional credit for the first time. The financing has supported farmers in expanding dairy operations, typically increasing herd sizes from two to three cattle to ten to twenty cattle over a three to five year period, while building more stable and predictable farm incomes. In many households, dairy represents a primary source of independent income and economic agency for women.Small and marginal dairy farmers have historically remained underserved by formal finance due to the absence of conventional collateral, fragmented documentation, and the complexity of livestock based cashflows. Dvara E Dairy was established to address these structural challenges by applying fintech driven innovation to dairy underwriting and credit delivery, designing systems anchored in dairy economics rather than proxy indicators.
Central to this approach is Surabhi, the company’s proprietary dairy operating platform, supported by an AI led cattle intelligence stack that brings predictability and risk transparency to dairy lending. The platform enables end to end workflows covering farmer onboarding, cattle level assessment, cashflow based underwriting, doorstep verification, and field execution.Surabhi uses a unique bovine biometric identity known as Surabhi ID, along with cattle imagery, health data, breed characteristics, and productivity indicators, to assess income potential and align lending decisions closely with actual dairy economics, even in the absence of formal records such as printed milk slips.
By recognising cattle as productive economic assets, the platform reduces reliance on land records and traditional documentation, enabling faster, lower friction, and more responsible lending decisions at the village level.Commenting on the milestone, Balaji Lakshmanan, Co Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dvara E Dairy, said crossing ₹100 crore in disbursements was an important institutional marker, but its real significance lay in thousands of dairy households gaining access to credit designed around their lived realities. He said the integration of cattle level intelligence with dairy cashflow analysis demonstrates how fintech can meaningfully extend formal finance to livelihoods that have long remained excluded.
John Vincent, Co Founder and Chief Operating Officer, said the company has focused on building institutional capabilities that combine deep field engagement with technology driven underwriting. He said platforms such as Surabhi enable informed and responsible credit decisions while ensuring finance directly supports herd growth, productivity, and income stability.As it continues to scale, Dvara E Dairy said it remains focused on deepening its village footprint, strengthening field execution, and using fintech infrastructure as a core institutional capability to sustainably extend dairy finance to underserved farmers.
Dvara E Dairy Solutions Private Limited is an agri fintech company focused on supporting small and marginal dairy farmers through technology enabled financial services and cattle management solutions. The company is part of the Dvara Holdings portfolio and the Dvara Venture Studio cohort working toward systemic change in financial inclusion.At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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The Distance Between Choosing a Two Wheeler and Securing a Loan Is Shrinking, AU Small Finance Bank and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India
The two organisations have signed an MoU to enable paperless, digitally supported financing with faster credit decisions across Honda dealerships nationwide.
Mumbai, February 3, 2026: AU Small Finance Bank has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India to simplify and accelerate financing for customers purchasing Honda motorcycles and scooters across India.
Under the agreement, AU Small Finance Bank will serve as a preferred financing partner for Honda two wheelers, offering digitally enabled and paperless loan journeys at the dealership level. The collaboration is designed to shorten the time between vehicle selection and loan approval through STP enabled, analytics based credit decisioning supported by the Account Aggregator framework, along with digital repayment solutions.The partnership aims to improve access to two wheeler ownership for a wide range of customers, including first time buyers. Faster eligibility assessment and end to end digital processing are expected to reduce friction during purchase while enabling customers to benefit from competitive schemes, promotional offers, and pre approved financing options.
Customers of AU Small Finance Bank will gain direct access to Honda’s portfolio of motorcycles and scooters through HMSI’s extensive dealership network across the country. The system integration allows customers to apply online, track application status in real time, and complete the financing process seamlessly at the point of sale.Commenting on the collaboration, Uttam Tibrewal, Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer at AU Small Finance Bank, said that the tie up marks an important step in expanding mobility finance across India. He said that the collaboration supports the bank’s focus on customer first solutions, national distribution strength, and transparent financial offerings as it progresses toward becoming a Universal Bank.
Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said that strengthening the financing ecosystem remains central to HMSI’s customer centric approach. He added that the collaboration will simplify the purchase journey at HMSI dealerships while offering customers affordable and convenient credit solutions built on trust and transparency.Through the integrated operational framework, both organisations aim to deliver a consistent and efficient financing experience that supports mobility aspirations across urban, semi urban, and emerging markets in India.
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Senior leadership role expands as Deepmala Chaudhary takes on sales and revenue mandate at The LaLiT
Hospitality group elevates long serving executive to General Manager role following sustained revenue performance
New Delhi, 3 February 2026: The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has promoted Ms Deepmala Chaudhary to the role of General Manager for Sales and Corporate Revenue, recognising her long standing contribution to the organisation and her leadership across the group’s revenue strategy.
Ms Chaudhary has been associated with The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group since 2013 and has progressed through several senior leadership positions. She most recently served as Head of Corporate Revenue, a role she has held since 2016. With over 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality revenue management, she has played a key role in strengthening the group’s commercial performance across its portfolio in India and international markets.In her expanded mandate, Ms Chaudhary will oversee sales and corporate revenue functions across the group. Her responsibilities will include driving integrated strategies spanning rooms, food and beverage, MICE, and digital revenue channels. She will continue to lead group wide pricing, demand forecasting, distribution strategy, and revenue optimisation, working closely with unit general managers, cluster sales teams, marketing communications, and digital functions.
During her tenure at The LaLiT, Ms Chaudhary has been instrumental in building national and international partnerships, improving the performance of online and direct booking channels, and establishing centralised revenue and demand analysis systems. Under her leadership, the group has recorded growth in online verticals and improved yield management across multiple destinations, including India and London.Prior to joining The LaLiT, Ms Chaudhary began her career with ITC Hotels, where she held progressive roles across properties such as ITC Maurya, ITC Welcome Hotel Chola, and ITC Grand Chola. Her experience across these marquee hotels contributed to her grounding in operational and revenue functions within the luxury hospitality sector.
Commenting on the promotion, Vivek Shukla, Chief Executive Officer of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, said Deepmala’s journey reflects dedication, resilience, and a strong understanding of the hospitality business. He said her elevation was a natural progression and a reflection of her leadership and consistent performance.
The promotion underscores The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group’s focus on developing internal talent and building leadership capabilities aligned with the group’s long term growth objectives.At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
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Global Brand Growth Research Draws Indian Marketers as Ehrenberg-Bass Scientist Visits Delhi and Mumbai
Senior Marketing Scientist Justin Cohen leads closed-door sessions and masterclasses in India, sharing evidence-based insights on long-term brand growth and marketing effectiveness
Justin Cohen, Senior Marketing Scientist at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science at the University of Adelaide, recently visited India to engage with senior marketing leaders across Delhi and Mumbai, sharing the Institute’s latest global research on how brands grow. The sessions focused on the widely cited Laws of Brand Growth, a body of evidence-based principles that explain how sustainable growth is driven by building mental and physical availability, reaching all category buyers, and using distinctive brand assets consistently over time.
During his India visit, Cohen conducted a series of masterclasses and closed-door discussions with marketing leaders, where conversations centred on moving away from short-term performance-led tactics towards long-term, broad-reach strategies grounded in scientific research. He said that India’s marketing community is demonstrating a growing appetite for evidence-based decision-making, noting that long-term brand building delivers more predictable and scalable business outcomes across markets and categories.Cohen also shared insights from recent global studies undertaken by the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute, highlighting how brands that invest in consistency, reach and availability are better positioned to translate marketing effectiveness into sustained commercial impact. He said it was encouraging to see Indian marketers actively questioning traditional assumptions and engaging with research-led frameworks to guide growth strategies.
As part of the visit, Cohen led an exclusive workshop in Mumbai with the team and select clients of Admatazz, where discussions focused on applying the Ehrenberg-Bass growth framework to real-world marketing and business challenges. Reflecting on these interactions, Cohen said the conversations indicated a clear shift towards long-term brand thinking, with organisations increasingly looking beyond immediate metrics and embracing proven principles to build enduring brands.The visit underscored the growing relevance of the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute’s research in the Indian market, as brands seek scalable, scientifically grounded approaches to marketing effectiveness. During the sessions, Cohen also introduced the Institute’s How Brands Grow Live! for Executives programme, which brings together the latest Ehrenberg-Bass research with practical application for senior business leaders.
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Cosmo PPF, Cosmo Consumer, Cosmo First Unveil Gold+ and Silver Paint Protection Films at Automechanika 2026
Cosmo PPF showcases complete automotive protection portfolio at Automechanika New Delhi, featuring new Gold+ and Silver PPF ranges alongside window films and coatings
Cosmo Consumer, the consumer-facing vertical of Cosmo First, announced the launch of two new paint protection film solutions for the automobile industry at Automechanika, while showcasing its complete portfolio of automotive protection products at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka. The exhibition, held from 5 to 7 January, brought together installers, detailers, distributors and automotive professionals from across the country.
The new introductions include Gold+ and Silver paint protection films, expanding Cosmo PPF’s offering across different protection levels and finish preferences. The Matte and Black variants are backed by a five-year warranty and were formally presented at the exhibition. As part of its tiered product strategy, Gold Plus is positioned with a seven-year warranty, while the Silver range carries a three-year warranty. The Gold+ PPF has been manufactured using high-grade TPU and adhesive systems to deliver enhanced protection and long-term durability suited to Indian driving conditions.Leading with Cosmo PPF on the event fascia, the company presented its expanding portfolio of automotive solutions, including paint protection films, automotive window film kits, and coatings and compounds. The showcase reflected Cosmo Consumer’s focus on addressing both functional protection requirements and evolving aesthetic preferences within India’s growing auto detailing and aftermarket segment.
Commenting on the development, Abhineesh Das, Business Head – Sunshield and PPF, said that Automechanika provided an opportunity to present the full width of Cosmo PPF’s automotive protection portfolio on a single platform. He said the company is outlining a clear product structure through defined tiers and warranty coverage, while building quality Made-in-India products for installers, detailing studios and customers in response to rising demand and more specialised needs in the aftermarket.Automechanika New Delhi served as a key platform for Cosmo PPF to engage directly with industry stakeholders and formally introduce niche products aligned with market requirements. The participation and full-range display underscored the company’s strategy of expanding its automotive solutions with an emphasis on clear segmentation, defined warranty frameworks, sustainability and suitability for everyday Indian usage.
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