BUSINESS
India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive: Shortage, pricing, and missing May 1 deadline
An industry veteran says the price of the vaccines could have been far lower. A former health secretary says the Centre’s procurement policy would lead to inequality in distribution. Even as there are many complaints, India has thus far given 15.7 crore vaccine doses.
BUSINESS
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine found to be 96.4% effective in final analysis of UK Phase-3 study
The vaccine would be manufactured at eight locations including the Serum Institute of India, with which Novavax has an agreement to produce around 2 billion doses a year.
BUSINESS
World may see 18 percent shortfall in supply of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021: Report
Airfinity pegs the global demand for COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 at 11.5 billion doses, while the forecasted production is estimated to be 9.5 billion doses.
BUSINESS
US export curbs on COVID-19 vaccine ingredients limiting efforts to scale up production: Adar Poonawalla
The US has invoked the Defense Act, which has a sub- clause that prevents the export of critical raw materials required for local vaccine manufacturers.
BUSINESS
Bharat Biotech's Covaxin found to be safe, induced immune response in Phase-1
The overall incidence of 'adverse events' was 14–21 percent in all vaccine-treated groups, says the data published in Lancet. The company says the incidence of adverse events are noticeably lower than the rates for other SARS-CoV-2 vaccine platform candidates.
BUSINESS
Covaxin approval: Beyond the emotional outburst, here’s what Bharat Biotech’s Krishna Ella said about the vaccine
The approval of Covaxin, which is still undergoing phase-3 clinical trials and yet to have efficacy data, has been roundly criticised. But Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, the maker of Covaxin, feels a lot of that criticism is not justified. Here’s a look at what he had to say about its efficacy and immunogenicity data, administering it in ‘clinical trial mode’ and whether it is just a ‘back-up’ vaccine
BUSINESS
UK nod to Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine strengthens case for India approval
The subject expert committee of the India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation is likely to meet later on December 30 to examine SII's emergency-use authorisation application for Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine.
BUSINESS
Zydus Cadila plans to test its COVID-19 vaccine on 30,000 volunteers in late stage trial
Cadila Healthcare said its vaccine was found to be well tolerated and immunogenic in the Phase I/II clinical trials.
BUSINESS
These five API companies may benefit as drugmakers seek to reduce dependence on Chinese raw material
Both global and domestic drug companies are looking to diversify sourcing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Key Starting Materials from China. Indian companies, particularly pure-play API producers, are poised to tap this emerging opportunity.
BUSINESS
How Donald Trump's executive orders to lower prescription drug prices will impact Indian drugmakers
Of the four orders, the one allowing the US government to pay the lowest price available in economically comparable countries for Medicare Part B drugs could particularly impact Indian companies
BUSINESS
Hype or hope? Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial data is expected today — what we know so far
The data will be published in British peer-reviewed medical journal the Lancet.
BUSINESS
First batch of Cipla's Remdesivir leaves contract manufacturer's site in Daman
Sovereign Pharma has the capacity to scale up production up to 95,000 vials per month
BUSINESS
Exclusive: COVID-19 drug Remdesivir in short supply, prices go up by 6x in black market
While Cipla's drug is yet to be available in the market, Hetero's initial supply of 20,000 vials is nearly exhausted.
BUSINESS
Pharma wrap: Why ICMR's Aug 15 deadline for COVID-19 vaccine launch is controversial
Vaccine experts raised serious concerns, calling the timelines unprecendented and unrealistic.
BUSINESS
Chinese raw materials stuck at customs: Government tells pharma companies it will clear stocks
Imported raw materials such as intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from China are integral components in India's drug supply chain.
BUSINESS
Patanjali COVID-19 'cure' Coronil: Experts ask company to come clean on clinical trials, provide data
Patanjali has to provide clinical trial data and also share details of when and where trials were conducted, say experts.
BUSINESS
Mental Health Series Part 3: Is India Inc sensitive towards employees battling mental health issues?
With mental health still poorly understood in India, Indian companies have a lot of gap to bridge when it comes to sensitivity towards employee's psychological conditions.
BUSINESS
Mental Health Series Part 2: At up to Rs 19,000 for therapy, how many in India can afford treatment?
Amidst a renewed focus on mental health issues after actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by suicide, it is a reality that treatment for anxiety, depression and allied issues is unaffordable in India.
BUSINESS
Coronavirus crisis | These four COVID-19 vaccines are ahead of the pack
Over 100 potential COVID-19 vaccines are currently under development, but four are ahead of the pack.
BUSINESS
Coronavirus | Why Gilead's Remdesivir trial data is significant in fight against COVID-19
The study showed that 64.5 percent of the patients who received the shorter 5 days treatment have recovered compared with 53.8 percent of the group who were treated for 10 days
BUSINESS
How IPCA Labs is best suited to reap the hydroxychloroquine opportunity
IPCA being one of the largest producer globally of both the API and formulation of hydroxychloroquine has an edge
BUSINESS
Explained | What are serology tests? How can they help India ease the lockdown?
ICMR, the apex medical body that's crafting the government policy and coordinating efforts, said it has ordered five lakh antibody test kits, of which 2.5 lakh will be delivered in the coming week
BUSINESS
Explained | Why India has relatively lesser number of COVID-19 cases
According to Worldometer - India has one COVID-19 confirmed case and 0.03 deaths for every 1 million population while the global average is 113.2 cases and 5.7 deaths
BUSINESS
Coronavirus lockdown: L&T defers extra pay revision to employees, cites disruption
"Most of our employees personally wanted to get associated with this social cause and hence extra salary revision that was planned from 1st March was postponed till end July,” L&T said in a statement.
