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.
BUSINESS
Strides Pharma in advanced talks for Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing deal
Once a deal is inked, the Covid-19 vaccine, developed by a global vaccine maker, will be manufactured by Strides’ biotech associate Stelis Biopharma
BUSINESS
Strides' board approves demerger of biotech business under Stelis Biopharma
The board will form a committee of directors to explore various options of value discovery including listing of the business on a standalone basis.
BUSINESS
Condom Alliance seeks to help wilting male contraceptive market rise from stagnation
Condom sales in India have stagnated at a CAGR of 1 percent in recent years. Industry executives say COVID-19 made matters worse, with sales falling approximately 40% during the lockdown. HLL Lifecare, PSI India Private Limited, Raymond Group, TTK Healthcare and Reckitt Benckiser are now coordinating their actions to promote greater condom usage and revive the market.
BUSINESS
India to get 97.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from COVAX in first half of 2021
COVAX will be getting 240 million doses of AstraZeneca-Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine from SII and 96 million doses from AstraZeneca under the advance purchase agreement between Gavi and the vaccine makers. SII has agreed to supply COVID-19 vaccine at $3 per dose.
BUSINESS
Covaxin in US market: Bharat Biotech, Ocugen enter pact
Under the terms of the agreement, Ocugen will have US rights to the vaccine candidate and will be responsible for clinical development, regulatory approval including emergency use approval (EUA) and commercialization for the US market. Bharat Biotech will supply initial doses to be used in the US upon Ocugen’s receipt of an EUA.
BUSINESS
Budget 2021: Pharma sector sees higher spend on healthcare as positive, but some expectations remain unmet
The industry welcomes increased budgetary allocations but believes tax incentives would have encouraged investment in R&D and help position India as an innovation hub.
BUSINESS
Budget 2021 | Rs 35,000 crore allotment for COVID-19 vaccination brings cheers to vaccine makers
Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India (SII) called the spending on healthcare infrastructure and vaccine by countries as the best bang for their buck.
BUSINESS
Budget 2021: Higher spends on infra, capex to help revive capital goods sector
Capital goods companies believe that the cascading effect of the government spending on capex and infrastructure will boost their order book and help them recover fast from the COVID-19 pandemic.
ECONOMY
Union Budget 2021: Healthcare spending boost led by COVID-19 vaccination, drinking water, sanitation
The increase was primarily led by Rs 35,000 crore allotment for COVID-19 vaccines and Rs 21,158 crore allocation to drinking water and sanitation. In addition to Finance Commission (FC) Grants of Rs 13,192 crore for health and Rs 36,022 crore for water and sanitation.
BUSINESS
Pharma wrap: Three more vaccines to be available in India soon
The data from clinical trials of Johnson & Johnson and Novavax which were announced this week were also positive, increasing the chances of the vaccine availability. Interestingly both these vaccines will be manufactured in India.
BUSINESS
COVID-19: Dr Reddy's expects to launch Sputnik V vaccine in India by March-end
The Russian vaccine is priced at $10 (Rs 720) per shot. If the drugs controller grants approval, the vaccine will become the third to be tried in India after Serum Institute of India’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
BUSINESS
Economic Survey 2021 highlights need for healthcare sector regulator
On the lines of banking and finance industry - that mitigates the information gap through credit rating agencies and credit bureaus, the Economic Survey suggests creating agencies to assess the quality of the healthcare providers – both doctors and hospitals; and patients.
BUSINESS
Lupin reports Rs 438.3 crore net profit in Q3 FY21, led by improved sales in US, India
Revenues of Lupin rose 5.4 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 3,917.3 crore, compared to previous year's Rs 3716 crore.
BUSINESS
Dr Reddy's terminates Kuwait clinical trial of favipiravir on moderate to severe COVID-19 patients
The data from the Kuwait study involving moderate-severe COVID-19 hospitalized patients did not show statistically significant difference for the primary endpoint or the time taken to resolve hypoxia. However, low risk category COVID-19 patients on the broad spectrum antiviral got discharged three days ahead of the placebo group.
BUSINESS
Bharat Biotech enters pact with GSK, PATH to produce, distribute malaria vaccine
As per the agreement GSK will transfer the manufacturing technology of the RTS,S antigens of the vaccine and will grant license on all rights pertaining to the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine to Bharat Biotech. GSK will retain the production of the adjuvant of the vaccine (AS01E) and will supply it to Bharat Biotech.
