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Context is everything.
Detailed stories on technology startups, business and economic current affairs.
Detailed stories on technology startups, business and economic current affairs.
The diagnostics firm was acquired at great cost, but is unable to support PharmEasy’s core online pharmacy business.
Editor's note: Just a few months ago, it looked like PharmEasy was well on the way to listing on the public markets at a valuation of over $5 billion. But with investors fast losing their appetite for technology stocks in recent months, the online drugs and medical services startup shelved its IPO in November. Now, some of the decisions it took in the run-up to the withdrawn public offer are beginning to bite. In particular, its acquisition of diagnostics chain Thyrocare in June 2021, which has become a millstone around its neck, threatening to thwart PharmEasy’s ambition to build India’s biggest pharmacy. Nothing could be more ironic. Currently, Thyrocare is the best business in PharmEasy’s portfolio, which includes retail and B2B sales of pharmaceuticals, doctor consultations and diagnostic services. Only Thyrocare makes a profit; in 2020-21, it clocked Rs 152 crore. In the same year, API Holdings, PharmEasy’s parent, recorded operational losses of Rs 3,992 crore and posted a net loss of Rs 2,731 crore. PharmEasy acquired Thyrocare almost a year and a half after the COVID-19 pandemic struck, hoping that the …
The diagnostics firm was acquired at great cost, but is unable to support PharmEasy’s core online pharmacy business.
Editor's note: Just a few months ago, it looked like PharmEasy was well on the way to listing on the public markets at a valuation of over $5 billion. But with investors fast losing their appetite for technology stocks in recent months, the online drugs and medical services startup shelved its IPO in November. Now, some of the decisions it took in the run-up to the withdrawn public offer are beginning to bite. In particular, its acquisition of diagnostics chain Thyrocare in June 2021, which has become a millstone around its neck, threatening to thwart PharmEasy’s ambition to build India’s biggest pharmacy. Nothing could be more ironic. Currently, Thyrocare is the best business in PharmEasy’s portfolio, which includes retail and B2B sales of pharmaceuticals, doctor consultations and diagnostic services. Only Thyrocare makes a profit; in 2020-21, it clocked Rs 152 crore. In the same year, API Holdings, PharmEasy’s parent, recorded operational losses of Rs 3,992 crore and posted a net loss of Rs 2,731 crore. PharmEasy acquired Thyrocare almost a year and a half after the COVID-19 pandemic struck, hoping that the …
Pricing constraints and uncertain daily-use demand cast doubt on instant help’s ability to replicate quick commerce.
The quick-commerce startup weighs a valuation cut or finding alternative funding to stay afloat as investor appetite for loss-making businesses weakens.
Bistro may look like a response to Swiggy and Rapido’s 'budget' food delivery apps, but the similarities end at affordability—the playbooks are fundamentally different.
Pricing constraints and uncertain daily-use demand cast doubt on instant help’s ability to replicate quick commerce.
The quick-commerce startup weighs a valuation cut or finding alternative funding to stay afloat as investor appetite for loss-making businesses weakens.
Bistro may look like a response to Swiggy and Rapido’s 'budget' food delivery apps, but the similarities end at affordability—the playbooks are fundamentally different.
