BUSINESS
How private sector expects to be a part of govt's COVID-19 vaccination programme
As India prepares to launch mass rollout of COVID-19 vaccination in coming weeks, it is estimated that the country may need 1.3 lakh-1.4 lakh vaccination centers, 1 lakh healthcare professionals as inoculators and 2 lakh volunteers, according to EY-FICCI report.
BUSINESS
Bharat Biotech says it has recruited 8,000 participants in phase-3, justifies seeking emergency use approval
“We have done 2000 people in phase-1 and phase-2, 8000 completed in phase-3, and we have extremely good efficacy data in monkeys and hamsters. We have extremely good pre-clinical data, and extremely good data on safety profile,” Ella said.
BUSINESS
India to immunise 300 million people with COVID-19 vaccine in the initial phase, says NITI Aayog's Vinod Paul
Paul said the safety and immunogenicity data alone will drive the emergency use approvals. The drug regulator has been “insulated” from any interference from the government.
BUSINESS
AstraZeneca to initiate human testing to assess its Covid vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V
The scientific collaboration between UK and Russia to explore a combination of their respective Covid-19 vaccine is a significant development, as both the countries are seen to be fiercely competing for Covid-19 vaccine dominance.
BUSINESS
Cyber attacks: The new headache for drug regulators reviewing Covid-19 vaccines
Germany’s BioNTech has said the hackers who breached EU drug regulator European Medicines Agency had accessed documents relating to the regulatory submission for the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine candidate.
BUSINESS
Explained: The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine induced severe allergic reactions in the UK. How serious is it? Implications for India
The UK drug regulator MHRA has recommended people with a history of anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction to a medicine or food to avoid Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, following two reports of anaphylaxis and one report of a possible allergic reaction following immunisation.
BUSINESS
Explained | Why DCGI set aside emergency approvals of Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech COVID-19 vaccines
The subject experts committee (SEC) couldn't take up Pfizer's emergency approval request because the US-based drug maker sought more time.
BUSINESS
Five things you need to pay attention to while choosing a Covid-19 vaccine
Companies across the globe are in a race to develop vaccines, and some, such as the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, may be rolled out soon if regulators give them the go-ahead. But from having nothing to being asked to choose from multiple options will prove a challenge for many. Consumers will have to weigh many pros and cons, including price and potential adverse effects. We give you the lowdown on what to look at while choosing a vaccine
WORLD
Coronavirus second wave: Lessons India can learn from Europe
The marked decrease in Covid-19 cases, is quite a contrast to the rising cases in Europe.
BUSINESS
US approves Remdesivir for treating hospitalised Covid-19 patients
The agency concluded that Remdesivir demonstrated efficacy in treating hospitalized patients with Covid-19.
BUSINESS
Siemens Healthineers to invest Rs 1,300 crore to set up new campus in Bengaluru
The new campus, to be opened in 2025, would be Siemens Healthineer's largest ever single investment made in India
BUSINESS
COVID-19: Prices of RT-PCR test kits crash over 80%, but not many are happy
Increasing competition and price war see price of one kit dropping from Rs 1,200 in April to Rs 150 now. But quality of kits is the casualty. Early this month, Maharashtra returned 12.5 lakh RT-PCR test kits purchased from a private company, citing faulty results.
BUSINESS
Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V makes headway in India
Dr Reddy's gets the nod to conduct human trials for the vaccine while Mankind Pharma signs an agreement with RIDF that will make 300 million doses of Sputnik V available in India.
BUSINESS
Explainer: What does WHO's Solidarity trial data mean for use of Remdesivir against Covid-19
Remdesivir had received regulatory approvals or temporary authorisations to treat COVID-19 in approximately 50 countries including India. The drug has been pre-qualified by WHO.
BUSINESS
WHO Solidarity trial finds Remdesivir has no substantial effect on mortality in COVID-19 patients
The results of the Solidarity trial conducted on 11,266 hospitalised patients in 30 countries found remdesivir, along with three other repurposed drugs hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon to have little or no effect on 28-day mortality.
BUSINESS
Apollo Hospitals ready to administer 1 million COVID-19 vaccines per day
Apollo Hospitals said it was training 10,000 healthcare workers to be able to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
BUSINESS
Bharat Biotech fast-tracks Covid-19 vaccine development; company cuts phase-2 size, will seek nod for phase-3
Instead of testing the vaccine candidate on 750 healthy volunteers in Phase-2, as approved for its clinical trial protocol, the company will now be testing it on just 380 volunteers. The 2019 Clinical Trial Rules require all protocol amendments to be submitted to the DCGI in writing along with the Ethics Committee’s letter of approval.
BUSINESS
J&J's pause on late stage clinical trial of COVID-19 vaccine raises concerns
While serious adverse event are not uncommon in clinical trials, they raise concerns, especially when the vaccine development timelines are compressed, leaving less time to sufficiently analyse safety and efficacy of the drug or vaccine
BUSINESS
Covid medicines help Cipla, Glenmark post strong sales growth in a subdued pharma market
The recovery was led by easing of lockdown restrictions and resumption of non-Covid related treatments.
BUSINESS
USFDA inspections taking longer time than usual due to COVID-19 safety protocols
Sun Pharma, Auro Life, Lupin in the queue. Though generally, most inspections are done in a fortnight, now it’s taking almost a month. USFDA is taking precautions to ensure the safety of the investigators and the employees of the facility who assist its staff, say sources.
BUSINESS
Mumbai blackout: Hospitals struggled to keep essential patient services running
As power is restored in most parts of the city, patients and hospital managements heave a sigh of relief.
BUSINESS
Coronavirus vaccine: Bharat Biotech to use ViroVax's adjuvant for Covaxin
Bharat Biotech is currently conducting Phase II human trials of Covaxin after receiving approval from the Drug Controller General of India.
BUSINESS
Pharma wrap: Festivals, winter perfect setting for Covid surge, can't afford to let the guard down
With a vaccine at least three months away, it becomes important for governments to manage the infection rates but it won't be easy.
BUSINESS
Govt to launch behavioural change campaign to check COVID-19 spread
The government feels that there is a laxity in individual behaviour and is worried about upcoming winter and festival seasons, says NITI Aayog Member VK Paul.
