High capital allocations, low public relations. Long gestation businesses, short decision cycles. High absolute returns, low-to-nil asset attachment. This, in a nutshell, is Arun Kumar’s business philosophy. For someone who’s created three public pharma companies, incubated several smaller entities, and seals a new deal sooner than the ink on the previous one has dried, Kumar’s is an unusual wealth generation machine. One that is now being oiled for a different run.
Consider this: Bengaluru-based Strides Pharma Science Ltd grossed Rs 79.9 crore ($11.5 million) in profit (before tax) from continuing operations, but an eye-rolling Rs 625.8 crore ($90 million) profit from discontinued operations in the year ended March 2018.