CATEGORIES

Thermo Fisher unveils human plasma-like cell culture medium

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched the new Gibco Human Plasma-like Medium (HPLM), the first cell culture medium on the market that mimics the metabolic profile of human plasma that is designed to provide researchers with a realistic view of cell growth within the human body.

Building On Biologics Business Growth

In 1990’s when Hasmukh K Chudgar, founder of Intas Pharmaceuticals handed over the company to his sons Binish, Nimish and Urmish, the company’s turnover was less than $1 million.

King Of Vaccines Protecting Children From Birth Onwards

Son of a horse breeder, Cyrus Poonawalla founded Serum Institute of India (SII) in 1966 in Pune when he was just 22 years and got married to Villoo. Over the years, his passion of offering affordable vaccines to the world has motivated to build SII into one of the world’s largest vaccine makers.

“We are particularly looking forward to increasing our business in India”

Emerging from the Institute of Cell Culture Technology at Bielefeld University, Germany, in 2009, Xell AG (formerly TeutoCell AG), has grown to become an independent and privately financed biotech company dedicated to cutting-edge innovation and developing expertise. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience in cell culture technology, Xell has drawn from its academic and technological knowledge to become a key partner in the design and distribution of cell culture solutions. The company is currently serving the Indian market through its partnership with Navi Mumbai-based Rane Rao Reshamia Laboratories. BioSpectrum interacted with Prof. Thomas Noll, Chairman, Supervisory Board, Xell AG, Germany to find out more about the company’s plans for 2021 and beyond. Edited excerpts;

BioSpectrum honours INDUSTRY STALWARTS

It is time to celebrate the outstanding contribution and achievements of the Indian Bio Sciences industry leaders and organisations over the past one year.

WHO Highlights Paediatric Chronic Pain Management

New WHO Guidelines on the management of chronic pain in children provide recommended physical, psychological and pharmacological interventions for pain relief in children aged 0-19 years.

Mental Health Startup InnerHour Gets $5.2M Fund influx

In a historic first, Mumbai based startup InnerHour has raised $5.2 million from Lightbox and others, making this the largest fundraise in the Indian mental health ecosystem till date.

Budget 2021 Takes Many Steps Forward And A Few Back

Underscoring the significant importance of health and wellbeing for the growth and development of the country, the budget allocation for the same has been increased to Rs 2,23,846 crore in the Union Budget 2021-22. But many concerns, such as neglecting digital healthcare in the budget, have also been raised. The industry feels let down as the government did not address tax benefits on R&D investments in pharma, lowering GST for life-saving drugs, focusing on personal health insurance adoption, special attention to mental healthcare, articulation on Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) and much more.

“We support scientists in all regions researching and developing vaccines against COVID”

Eva van Pelt, Co-CEO & Chief Commercial Officer, Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, Germany

NECHRI, IIT-G ink MoU for cancer research

Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (NECHRI), Jorabat, Assam.

“Peptide purification market is underserved by traditional resin suppliers”

« Jonathan Royce, Chief Executive Officer, Bio-Works Technologies AB, Sweden

India rolls out vaccines to neighbouring coThe government has opened a new institute of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) i.e. CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), in New Delhi.untries

The Government of India has received several requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries.

LEADING FROM THE FRONT

The International Women’s Day theme for 2021, celebrated on March 8 every year, is #ChooseToChallenge, which highlights the importance of challenging biases and misconceptions in the interest of creating a more inclusive and gender-equal world.

CEPI Call provides up to $140M to vaccine developers

Norway based Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has opened a new funding opportunity to support the rapid generation of additional clinical research on COVID-19 vaccines.

Govt opens institute for science communication & policy research

The government has opened a new institute of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) i.e. CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), in New Delhi.

9 Trends Of New Post-Covid Era

As the world wakes up to the new post-COVID reality, the vaccine industry is entering a new paradigm that is one in which vaccines are perceived as effective medical interventions, which will have wider acceptance in the society, and which need to be supported.

WHO announces updates on systematic screening for TB

World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a number of updates to its forthcoming guidance on the systematic screening of tuberculosis (TB) disease.

INDIAN BIOPHARMA HITS RS 25,000 CRORE RIDING 15% GROWTH WAVE

The Indian Biopharma Industry, with over 300 companies, is growing at the rate of 15 per cent, which is 3 per cent more than the previous year’s 12 per cent.

Piramal Pharma invests $32M to expand API facility in US

Mumbai based Piramal Pharma Limited’s Pharma Solutions business, a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has announced plans to expand its facility in Michigan in the US with additional capacity and new capabilities for the development and manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

Govt launches SARS-CoV-2 genomic consortium to monitor viral mutations

The government has launched the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG), comprising 10 labs namely DBT-NIBMG Kalyani, DBT-ILS Bhubaneswar, ICMRNIV Pune, DBT-NCCS Pune, CSIR-CCMB Hyderabad, DBT-CDFD Hyderabad, DBT-InSTEM/ NCBS Bengaluru, NIMHANS Bengaluru, CSIR-IGIB Delhi, and NCDC Delhi.

Korea conducts typhoid vaccine study in Nepal

Vi-DT typhoid conjugate vaccine, developed jointly by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and SK Bioscience based in South Korea, has met the primary endpoints in a Pase III study in Nepal.

Govt works towards AYUSH export promotion council

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of AYUSH have decided to work together to set up an Export Promotion Council to boost AYUSH exports.

GAVI nominates Dr Harsh Vardhan as India representative

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister, Health and Family Welfare has been nominated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) as a member of the GAVI Board. He will be representing the South-East Area Regional Office (SEARO)/ Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) constituency on the GAVI Board from January 1, 2021 until December 31, 2023.

BARC develops indigenous Ruthenium 106 plaque to treat eye cancer

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space has lauded the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai for developing eye cancer therapy in the form of the first indigenous Ruthenium 106 plaque for treatment of ocular tumours.

CSIR reveals anti-viral benefits of chlorhexidine mouthwash

A preliminary laboratory based research conducted by researchers at Panjab University in collaboration with CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) has revealed that one of the most routinely used mouth rinses, Chlorhexidine, has proven to be effective against SARS-CoV-2.

Health Ministry Unveils Website On Repurposed Drugs For Covid-19

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a website that gives comprehensive information about the numerous COVID-19 clinical trials that Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is engaged in partnership with industry, other government departments and ministries.

World Bank approves $12B for COVID-19 vaccine support

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved an envelope of $12 billion for developing countries to finance the purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments for their citizens.

WHO issues alerts on falsified medical products

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alert for medical product related to three different batches of confirmed falsified Fluzone Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine identified in Mexico and reported to WHO.

Pakistan emphasizes on breast cancer awareness

The Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pink Pakistan Trust with an aim to spread awareness on breast cancer and its early detection within Pakistan.

Siemens Healthineers to invest Rs 1300 Cr in innovation hub

To advance the digitalization of healthcare and better serve the needs of emerging markets, Siemens Healthineers has announced plans to invest Rs 1300 crore over the next five years in an innovation hub in Bengaluru.