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Defined by its unique corporate culture that has been described by Suprio Dasgupta, senior vice president and general counsel, as ‘collaborative, fast, and simplified, aimed at helping businesses achieve their goals in adherence to the law of the land and organisational values.’ The legal team at the core of the Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has undergone an immense functional overhaul over the last two years. ‘The goal was to let internal stakeholders everywhere know that it’s no longer a department which only offers support with sundry legal paperwork, but is also keen on creating strategic partnerships. That the team has the expertise and interest in addressing the unique needs of each geography, business and practice area, and can provide customised legal expertise and solutions,’ Dasgupta says. The department was renamed as a GLD (Global Law Department) and individual lawyers were separated in order for them to oversee specific geographical areas. At the same time, practice areas were segregated into distinct specialised areas. ‘With these new priorities, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, team members are now better positioned to manage their respective stakeholders worldwide,’ he elaborates further. ‘As a strategic business partner, GLD now works with stakeholders on joint priorities such as business criticality, cost consciousness, future growth opportunities, and cross-enterprise impact’. Other efforts to bring to life the team’s unique culture and ethos have included the introduction of an internal Centre of Excellence (CoE), the creation of the ‘Competency Framework’ concept and the introduction of the annual “Attorney Career Development Program”. Impressive transactions completed by the team include a deal with Teva Pharmaceutical and an affiliate of Allergan to acquire a portfolio of eight Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) in the United States, collaborations with Xenoport and Eisai Co, an acquisition of an eminent portfolio of over-the-counter (OTC) brands from Ducere Pharma, a strategic deal with Canon Pharma and an expansion of Dr Reddy’s collaboration with Amgen. Led by ‘top-notch’ professional Suprio Dasgupta, the team also features a number of prominent lawyers such as Gopala Krishna Gangavelli, Vidyadhari N and Ramchandar Rao.