Economic Survey Lays Focus On Mental Healthcare For The First Time

For the first time ever, the Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled by the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament recently, talks extensively about mental health, its significance and implications on policy recommendations.

IIT-G discovers RNA-destroying function of p30 protein in African Swine Fever Virus

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) researchers have investigated the biochemistry of the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) protein, focusing on understanding the biochemical processes of infection to devise effective control strategies.

13th Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024 brings together 1018 delegates, 3,000+ visitors

The 13th edition of Bengaluru INDIA NANO 2024, organised by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science & Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) concluded on August 3 with participation of 1018 delegates, 11 countries including Korea, Morocco, USA, UK, France, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Russia, Japan, and Poland, 49 exhibitors comprising 21 startups and 28 industry and institutes, and 200 posters. The exhibition had a footfall of 3,000+ visitors.

Are Nutraceuticals DRUGS? Examining a Needless Regulatory Tussle

The news has been around for a while which has put a big question mark ahead of the Indian nutraceuticals industry.

Can India Reclaim API Throne from China?

Despite having the third-largest pharmaceutical industry by volume in the world and being the largest manufacturer of generic medicines globally, India is heavily dependent on China for imports of raw materials, Key Starting Materials (KSMs), and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).

JRS Pharma & Gujarat Microwax open new manufacturing facility in Mehsana

JRS Pharma, a leading manufacturer of excipients, in partnership with Gujarat Microwax, has commissioned a new manufacturing facility for cotton-based croscarmellose sodium.

NovaLead's patented repurposed drug for treating DFU gets CDSCO approval

Pune-based NovaLead Pharma has announced that the drug regulator in India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has approved their patented Repurposed Drug for treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) which is a global unmet medical need.

Medicamen Organics expands footprint in East Africa with $75,000 investment in Rwanda

Delhi-based pharma company Medicamen Organics has taken a significant step in its global expansion strategy by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Depot Pharmacy Yego in Rwanda.

Mankind Pharma acquires 100% stake in Bharat Serums and Vaccines for Rs 13,630 Cr

Mankind Pharma has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSV) from Advent International, for an enterprise value of approx.

Thyrocare buys Polo Labs' pathology diagnostic biz to strengthen Northern India presence

Mumbai-based Thyrocare, a leading diagnostic and preventive healthcare service provider in India, has entered into a Business Transfer Agreement with Polo Labs to acquire their pathology diagnostic business.

Ministry of Ayush inks donor agreement with WHO

The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Donor Agreement during a signing ceremony organised at WHO Headquarters in Geneva.

Why India Must Turn Biosimilar Powerhouse By 2030

Biosimilars could potentially enhance patient access to treatment of various malignant and nonmalignant conditions by reducing costs. Since the introduction of the first biosimilar in 2000 in India, a vaccine for hepatitis B, the development and utilisation of "biosimilars or similar biologics" have experienced significant growth.

VEGFR1 enzyme holds key to medical solutions for colon and renal cancers

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata have decoded the molecular mechanism in which a cell surface receptor belonging to the family of enzymes that bind growth factors, regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, metabolism, and migration, prevents cancers.

Addressing Rare Disease Treatments with Biosimilars and Orphan Drugs

Approximately 10,000 rare diseases (RDS) impact about 400 million people worldwide, with 30 million in the United States alone.

Cementing India's place as global leader in biosimilars

Over the past decade, biologics and biosimilars have taken centre stage in medical advancements. Their potential in treating diseases previously considered untreatable, such as certain types of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and rare genetic conditions, has changed the face of healthcare. India, with its robust biotechnology and information technology sectors, has embraced this shift and is making significant strides in the development and manufacturing of biological drugs.

Union Budget Drives Home.'VIKSIT BHARAT' MANTRA

Presenting the Union Budget for the seventh time in a row on July 23, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to abolish 'angel tax' for all classes of investors and announced several measures like operationalisation of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) for basic research and prototype development and setting up a mechanism for spurring private sector-driven research and innovation at commercial scale with a financing pool of Rs 1 lakh crore in line with the announcement in the interim budget.

Takeda signs patent licence agreement with Cipla, Sun Pharma to commercialise GERD drug in India

Mumbai-based pharmaceutical firms Cipla and Sun Pharma have signed a non-exclusive patent licence agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company for 'Vonoprazan' for the Indian market for treating acid-related illnesses among patients.

Navin Molecular injects $35 M for expanding manufacturing capabilities

Navin Molecular, a Madhya Pradesh-headquartered Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), has announced a significant investment of Rs 288 crore (approximately $35 million) to expand its GMP manufacturing plant in Dewas.

AstraZeneca invests Rs 250 Cr to grow Global Innovation and Technology Centre in India

AstraZeneca India has announced an investment of Rs 250 crore ($30 million) to expand its Global Innovation and Technology Centre (GITC) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, which includes close to 1,300 roles focused on driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and streamlining operations across the company globally.

Kerala to launch Institute of Organ Transplantation in Kozhikode

The Government of Kerala has decided to establish an Institute of Organ and Tissue Transplant at Kozhikode. It is being established as an Apex Institute for research, training and patient care in the area of organ transplantation and allied activities.

Ministry of Ayush strengthens standardisation protocols to ensure safety of ayurvedic medicines

In a significant development aimed at advancing the field of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences - Captain Srinivasa Murthy Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CSMCARI), Chennai, under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and the Commissionerate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (CIM&H), Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Integrating Research Data for Drug Efficiency in the Indian Pharma Landscape

The average cost to develop a new drug is approximately 2.6 billion, according to a study by the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development. This cost may be reduced by up to 30 per cent through the integration of AI/ML and data analytics, which would result in substantial savings for India's pharmaceutical industry and poised to strengthen its global competitiveness and contribute to a healthier world.

Setting Bigger Targets For Next-Gen Vaccines

New vaccine platform technologies could dramatically shorten the period from research to development, clinical trials, and vaccination. Reimagining R&D approaches in vaccine design and vaccine immunology may hold the key to significantly elevate the health impact of vaccines.

MediTech Stackathon 2024 to Drive Explosive Growth

India's medtech industry holds immense potential, with projections estimating a growth rate of 28 per cent annually, reaching a size of $50 billion by 2030.

Innominds, SCIINV Biosciences unveil Al-driven solution to combat AMR

Innominds, a US-based digital transformation and product engineering company, has announced its partnership with Hyderabad-based startup SCIINV Biosciences to introduce AMRX, an advanced AI/ML-driven digital diagnostic tool designed to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Wipro collaborates with Centre for Brain Research at IISc for Al-driven health behaviour innovations

Wipro has announced a collaboration with the Centre for Brain Research (CBR), an autonomous, non-profit research organisation, hosted at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

How Tech Innovations Impact Cardiac Care

Cardiac care has seen a transformation over the years with technology playing an important role. Armed with Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), cardiac care providers, with the right technology, have received the right impetus to revolutionise treatment mechanisms. Let us delve into the new technologies which the industry is offering to mankind and decipher the way forward.

Mynvax Offers ‘Warm Vaccine' For COVID-19

Biotech startup Mynvax, incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, has developed heat-tolerant COVID-19 vaccine formulations.

“R&D outsourcing has become a ‘must have' than ‘good-to have' strategy”

Aragen Life Sciences (formerly GVK BIO), a leading contract research and development organisation headquartered in Hyderabad, is marking its transition to a new brand identity in its 20th year. Established in 2001, the company is poised for growth in the outsourced discovery, development, and manufacturing services sector across both large and small molecule platforms with new investments and collaborations. In conversation with BioSpectrum, Manni Kantipudi, Chief Executive Officer, Aragen Life Sciences, Hyderabad reveals more about the company’s recent rebranding and growth plans. Edited excerpts;

Premas Biotech to commercialise VLP vaccine tech against Delta variant

Gurugram-based Premas Biotech has signed a licensing deal with Oravax Medical for the development and commercialisation of its virus-like-particle COVID-19 vaccine technology.