The Morning Brief

Stefan Oelrich, Global Head of Pharmaceuticals at Bayer AG, shares insights on the dynamic pharmaceutical landscape. He discusses challenges, such as Europe's struggle with innovation amid rising competition from the US and China, and underscores the need for faster regulations. Oelrich highlights Bayer's focus on new drug launches to counter revenue losses and emphasizes the importance of equitable access to breakthroughs, particularly as they explore cell and gene therapies. His optimism for India's market potential showcases Bayer's strategic partnerships and a tailored approach to local needs.

Basant Kaur, Country Head of C2FO India and expert in early payment solutions, joins Ramesh Dharmaji, Senior Advisor at the Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship, to tackle India's staggering 7.3 lakh crore rupee payment backlog for MSMEs. They discuss the flaws in the 45-day payment rule and why regulations are failing. Insightfully, they explore the role of banking in MSME credit expansion and advocate for incentivizing buyer behavior rather than penalties. The conversation wraps up with potential fixes to streamline dispute resolutions and improve TReDS participation.

Mallika Noorani, a lawyer at Parinam Law Associates specializing in digital media regulations, discusses critical compliance gaps in microdrama apps. She highlights the absence of age gating and health disclaimers, revealing how these platforms operate outside the law. Noorani explains why they qualify as publishers under current guidelines, the need for proper grievance systems, and the implications of weak content ratings. The conversation sheds light on the regulatory blind spots and the importance of protecting users from hidden dangers in curated digital content.

In a compelling discussion, Ashish Thusoo, co-founder and CEO of CurieTech AI, shares his journey from Oracle to transforming data processing at Facebook. He explores the emergence of AI-driven automation and its implications for Indian IT, emphasizing the need for adaptation and leveraging domain knowledge. Thusoo addresses concerns about the AI bubble, circular investments, and H-1B visa policies affecting talent flow. He articulates how CurieTech's AI-first approach can redefine software delivery and accelerate development cycles in enterprise systems.

In this insightful discussion, Uday Kotak, founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, emphasizes the importance of political stability and long-term investment for India’s growth. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a senior lawyer, highlights the urgent need for judicial reforms and timelines to enhance contract enforcement. The conversation explores the paradox of strong economic indicators juxtaposed with concerns over private capex and R&D underinvestment. Panelists also celebrate rising rural incomes and the entrepreneurial spirit emerging beyond major metros.

In this insightful discussion, Sachin Taparia, founder of Local Circles, shares alarming findings that about half of quick-commerce packaged foods are unhealthy, particularly impacting Gen Z's impulsive ordering habits. Dr. Arun Gupta, a public-health expert, highlights the serious health risks of ultra-processed foods, linking them to diseases like obesity and diabetes. Both guests advocate for urgent regulatory changes, including effective front-of-pack warning labels, to address this growing health crisis while emphasizing the need for platforms to support healthier choices.

Jonathan Silber, Co-founder and Director of Google's AI Futures Fund, shares insights on why Google chose India for its inaugural AI investment initiative. He discusses the growing demand for AI solutions in India, highlighting a rising willingness among consumers and businesses to embrace these technologies. The collaboration with Accel aims to mentor ambitious founders and provide access to advanced Google DeepMind models. Silber emphasizes India's strong potential for global AI innovation and outlines how the program supports startups in scaling internationally.

Krish Ramineni, Co-founder and CEO of Fireflies.ai, shares his journey from a young engineer manually taking notes as 'Fred' to leading a profitable AI company. He reveals how early access to OpenAI transformed their product and discusses the shift towards AI employees handling routine tasks. Krish emphasizes prudent growth by resisting fundraising pressures and evaluating M&A offers, focusing instead on sustainable adoption in a competitive market. This engaging conversation dives into the future of AI in diverse sectors and the importance of real-world applications.

In a gripping discussion, Arindam Majumdar, an Economic Times aviation reporter, delves into IndiGo’s operational collapse, detailing the impact of ignored fatigue rules and poor planning. Ameya Joshi, a network planning expert, analyzes pilot rostering failures and the resultant chaos. Capt. Amit Singh, a former head of pilot training, highlights the flaws in regulatory oversight and safety protocols. The trio explores whether the crisis was mismanaged or a deliberate push for regulatory exemptions, revealing deep cracks in India’s aviation industry.

Diego Bianchi, Vice President of Global Hubs at Sazerac, is on a mission to elevate bourbon's presence in India, traditionally dominated by Scotch. He discusses the brand's strategy, focusing on education, cocktail versatility, and appealing storytelling. With India's vibrant cocktail culture and a curious consumer base, Bianchi emphasizes balancing volume with value across price points. He shares insights on navigating local regulations, partnering with John Distilleries, and targeting younger drinkers. Plus, he expresses admiration for innovative Indian single malts like Amrut.