BUSINESS
Government to shortly announce RoDTEP rates to boost exports: Amitabh Kant of Niti Aayog
Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP), which became applicable with effect from January 1, 2021, was formed to replace the existing Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS). Under the MEIS regime, the government provided duty benefits at different rates depending on product and country.
BUSINESS
Bharat Biotech to come up with Phase-3 efficacy data of Covaxin in two weeks: Chairman Krishna Ella
Ella said the company is in the process of ramping up Covaxin production capacity to 40 million doses per month, with the commissioning of third manufacturing site by end of this week.
BUSINESS
Manufacturers may not require large randomised trials for updating COVID-19 vaccines against new variants: USFDA
'It will more likely be smaller immunogencity studies,' said Peter Marks, Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) at USFDA, speaking at BioAsia 2021 virtual event.
BUSINESS
Pharma wrap: Why India should consider extension of interval between two doses of Covishield vaccine
"In exploratory analyses, a single standard dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 had an efficacy of 76 percent against symptomatic COVD-19 in the first 90 days after vaccination, with no significant waning of protection during this period," Lancet study said.
BUSINESS
Aurobindo Pharma hopes to submit Phase 2/3 data of UB-612 COVID-19 vaccine by July 2021
Aurbindo has sought permission from Indian drug regulator CDSCO to conduct Phase-2/3 trial of the vaccine candidate in India, as the animal studies and Phase-I clinical trial were conducted in Taiwan.
BUSINESS
Adverse reaction claim | Madras HC issues notice to SII, ICMR and DCGI on petition against Covishield
The 41-year old volunteer who took part in the Covishield clinical trial alleged in the writ petition that he had suffered a serious adverse event after receiving the first dose in the trial.
BUSINESS
Novavax-COVAX deal for 1.1 billion doses COVID vaccine, Serum Institute to be biggest supplier
COVAX has already signed up with SII for 240 million doses of AstraZeneca-Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine at $3 per dose. SII has earlier indicated that it would supply a total of 1.1 billion vaccines to COVAX, making it the biggest supplier of COVID-19 vaccines globally.
BUSINESS
Explainer: Why UK human challenge trial is important, will it hasten COVID-19 vax development?
The aim of the UK study initially is to find out the smallest amount of virus it takes to cause COVID-19 infection in small groups of healthy young people, aged between 18 and 30, who are at the lowest risk of harm.
BUSINESS
Why high COVID-19 vaccine wastage is linked to low turnout and poor planning
High wastage inflates demand for vaccines and raises costs of procurement and supply chain.
BUSINESS
Thermo Fisher Scientific launches RT-PCR test kits designed and made in India
Amit Chopra, Managing Director, India and South Asia for Thermo Fisher Scientific said the new facility in Bengaluru is equipped with the capacity to manufacture up to 10 million tests every month.
BUSINESS
No decision taken on opening up private market for vaccines: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan
"This is an emergency use authorisation (EUA), and during the course of EUA, it is the responisbilty of the govt to keep things under control, that is why it is not been opened up for private market," the health minister said.
INDIA
As India completes one month of COVID-19 vaccination, here is all one needs to know
The process of jabbing needs to be fastened. On an average, about three lakh people are being inoculated every day against a government target of 13 lakh
BUSINESS
MNC drug body OPPI names S Sridhar as president
S Sridhar heads Pfizer's commercial business in India
BUSINESS
Pharma wrap: Why is global solidarity missing in COVID-19 vaccination response?
There is concern that neglect in inoculating high-risk groups, whether it is in rich countries or poor, will make fight against COVID-19 ineffective as the pandemic will continue to rage with new mutations.
BUSINESS
Metropolis Healthcare banks on non-COVID testing, as coronavirus cases drop
RT-PCR examinations during the pandemic have provided the much-needed cushion to diagnostic chains, which have seen a steep drop in the number of people getting themselves checked for non-virus ailments
BUSINESS
What made WHO back AZ-Oxford vaccine despite concerns of low efficacy to new variants and those aged 65 and above?
Despite the world health body’s green light for AZ, South Africa has paused its rollout after a study found it to be less effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variant circulating in that country. Instead, it is considering trading its doses with Johnson & Johnson jabs
BUSINESS
Fall in India’s Covid-19 case count: Is it sustainable, and why complacency is risky
Experts warn that the coronavirus’ behaviour is not something that can be predicted, as evident from the UK, Brazil and South Africa, where new and highly transmissible variants of the virus have led to a massive spike in cases. Complacence and vaccine hesitancy are a matter of concern
BUSINESS
COVID-19 vaccine | UK govt extends contract with Wockhardt by six months
The UK government in August 2020 contracted a fill-finish production line at Wockhardt's Wrexham manufacturing site for its exclusive use for 18 months in order to guarantee the supply of vaccines.
BUSINESS
E-pharmacy firm 1mg says investing in cold chain, training staff for COVID-19 vaccination
Prashant Tandon, chief of the e-pharmacy firm told Moneycontrol that 1mg is keen to participate in the COVID vaccination drive but is awaiting clarity on when and how the private sector can participate
BUSINESS
Novel blood cancer drug developed by Alembic Pharma's associate Rhizen gets US approval
Umbralisib has peak market size potential to reach $1 billion - $1.5 billion
BUSINESS
Supreme Court to hear IHH Healthcare's open offer for 26% additional stake in Fortis on February 10
The apex court blocked the open offer on a plea filed by Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo, which is trying to enforce a Rs 3,500 crore arbitration award it won in a Singapore tribunal against Fortis’ erstwhile promoters, brothers Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh.
BUSINESS
Zydus Cadila says it has more orders for COVID-19 vaccine than it can make
The company has completed Phase–1 and 2 trials, and began work on its Phase-3 trial, for which it plans to recruit around 30,000 volunteers across 60 clinical trial sites, last month. The vaccine can be stored at 2-8 degrees temperature, making it conducive for Indian cold chain conditions.
BUSINESS
Pharma wrap: Significance of ICMR's latest COVID-19 seroprevalence study
The latest survey illustrates that the COVID-19 is much widespread than the cases that were detected. India has reported 10.8 million cases so far.
BUSINESS
Will Dr Reddy's be able to reap the benefit of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine?
The vaccine windfall could be a one-time opportunity, depending on how quickly the company brings it to market, besides resolving cold chain and logistics issues.
