Published: January 17, 2012
Cigna and TTK Leaders Outline Details of New Joint Venture to Sell Health Insurance Across India
MUMBAI, India - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Global health service company, Cigna Corporation, and TTK Group, the
Indian conglomerate, today announced that their joint venture to sell
health insurance products across India will be named Cigna TTK and
will be headquartered in Mumbai. Sandeep Patel, Managing Director of
Cigna Health Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned Cigna subsidiary,
has been named chief executive officer of the joint venture.
An important business hub in India and a center of commerce for the
insurance sector, Mumbai was chosen as the corporate headquarters and
offers a very strong pool of talented local professionals.
Patel will be responsible for managing all aspects of the joint
venture's emerging business, including developing and deploying a suite
of innovative products and services, including: individual private
medical insurance; supplemental health and accident products; and health
benefits for expatriates. Since joining Cigna in 1998, Patel has served
in several leadership roles and functions including the expansion and
management of Cigna's business in the Middle East region.
Cigna TTK will focus on insurance and related services in the health
sector, one of the fastest growing segments of the Indian economy.
Pending approval by India's regulatory authorities, the joint venture is
expected to begin operations in early 2013 and will build its workforce
locally.
With 1.2 billion people - one-sixth of the world's total population -
India is experiencing major public health changes and challenges marked
by an increase in chronic conditions and lifestyle diseases such as
diabetes and hypertension, mirroring worldwide trends. Health care
spending is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, driving
the need for developing and leveraging successful health management
programs and systems.
Cigna and TTK said their joint venture will offer a new and innovative
approach to India's health service marketplace by offering consumers a
portfolio of innovative products that help support and improve health
and well being with high-quality care. "We have proven expertise in
offering solutions that seek to improve customers' health while managing
cost," said Cigna Chief Executive Officer David
Cordani.
Essential to the joint venture's success is the consumer and market
experience of TTK. "We recognize the value of TTK's deep insights into
the Indian consumer's interests and needs as well as their ability to
reach these consumers across the country," Cordani said.
T. T. Jagannathan, Chairman of the TTK Group, said, "We are very pleased
to partner with Cigna and continue to deepen our relationship with the
consumers of India. With its extensive global healthcare expertise,
Cigna has demonstrated a keen interest in India and the health and well
being of its citizens."
As the joint venture's new chief executive officer, Patel, has spent
several years working in the United States and internationally for
Cigna. "I am excited to be here in India to lead this important new
joint venture that is certain to benefit so many consumers," Patel said.
Cigna is the first U.S. insurer to apply for entry into India as part of
a stand-alone joint venture health insurance company. Cigna and TTK have
sought approval from India's Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority (IRDA) and plan to submit a comprehensive filing early this
year. Full license to operate is not expected until 2013.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company
dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense
of security. All products and services are provided exclusively through
operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Connecticut
General Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company,
Life Insurance Company of North America and Cigna Life Insurance Company
of New York. Such products and services include an integrated suite of
health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy
and vision care benefits, and other related products including group
life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales
capability in 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has approximately 70
million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about
Cigna, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com.
About TTK
TTK is widely recognized across India with a reputation built across
eight decades for quality consumer products and services. The three
letters in 'TTK' represents the corporate philosophy of
the Group - Trust, Transparency and Knowledge. TTK's various operations
include manufacturing and marketing of kitchenware, fast moving consumer
goods, pharmaceuticals, contraceptive devices, bio-medical devices, food
products, maps and atlases, and other services. The company's multiple
businesses sell brands that are household names including Prestige,
Woodwards, Eva, Kohinoor, Durex, Scholl, Fryums etc. TTK has its roots
in India but reaches every continent in the globe with its wide range of
products. The flagship company of the group, TTK Prestige, has won
several awards including the India's "Best SME Company for the year
2010" presented by the Prime Minister of India. TTK Prestige has earned
a spot in FORBES ASIA's list of "Best under a Billion" companies. To
learn more about TTK Companies, visit www.ttkhealthcare.com
or www.ttkprestige.com.

Cigna Corporation
Mariann Caprino, (US) Tel +1.860.226.7251
mariann.caprino@cigna.com
or
Fleishman-Hillard
India
Yusuf Hatia, Tel +91-98-2059-6908
yusuf.hatia@fleishman.com
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