Biotech
Emcure and its subsidiary Gennova settle legal dispute with HDT Bio over mRNA technology
Emcure Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiary Gennova have resolved all legal disputes with US-based HDT Bio Corp. The parties have entered into a long-term agreement to develop mRNA vaccines against various infectious diseases in India and other countries. As part of their agreement, HDT has granted a license to Gennova to use HDT's patented mRNA vaccine technology in multiple fields
Cipla gets USFDA nod to market Lanreotide injection
Cipla has received approval from the US FDA to market its Lanreotide injection, a generic medication for treating acromegaly and other conditions. The product is a therapeutic equivalent of Somatuline Depot Injection, which had sales of around USD 898 million in the US for the 12-month period ending March 2024.
ICMR draws flak from experts over call for BHU study retraction
Universal Health Organisation (UHO) criticizes ICMR for questioning BHU researchers over Covaxin study, calling for academic freedom and data transparency. Study on Covaxin's side effects faces ICMR scrutiny, urging transparency and data access from ICMR. BHU study on Covid-19 vaccine side effects challenges academic censorship by ICMR. UHO condemns ICMR's censorship attempts on BHU's Covaxin study.
JB Pharma expects India business to grow above market growth rate in FY25: CEO Nikhil Chopra
JB Pharma, led by CEO Nikhil Chopra, forecasts 12-14% revenue growth and aims to increase Ebitda margins by 27-28% in FY25. The growth is driven by a focus on chronic portfolio, CDMO business expansion, and upcoming acquisition of an ophthalmology drugs portfolio from Novartis. The company's financial performance in FY24 was strong with revenue reaching Rs 3,484 crore.
ICMR distances itself from BHU's Covaxin study, asks to explain why it should not seek Iegal and administrative action
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has criticised Banaras Hindu University (BHU) researchers for incorrectly associating them with an observational study on the side effects of Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin. The study, which covered a one-year period after the vaccine was administered, found that nearly a third of the 926 participants reported adverse events of special interest (AESI).
Acceleration of biosimilar business, debt reduction to be key priorties in FY25: Biocon Chief
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw of Biocon aims to consolidate, accelerate biosimilar business, and reduce debt after Viatris acquisition in FY25. Mazumdar-Shaw anticipates expanding its market share for biosimilar products across the US, Europe, and emerging markets, coupled with the possibility of introducing new products in the fiscal year 2025.
Disclosed all information on Covishield’s side effects in 2021, says SII
The Serum Institute of India (SII) has stated that the safety of vaccines remains "paramount" and that all information about the side effects of its Covishield vaccine against Covid-19 was disclosed in its packaging insert in 2021. The statement comes after a group of parents whose children died during the pandemic filed a case against the company. SII manufactured and supplied the vaccine under license from AstraZeneca, which admitted in court that the vaccine could cause a rare side effect.
Biocon partners Biomm to commercialise diabetes drug in Brazil
Biocon has partnered with Brazil-based Biomm SA for the commercialization of its diabetes drug, Semaglutide (gOzempic). Biocon will develop, manufacture, and supply the drug, while Biomm will obtain regulatory approval and commercialization in Brazil. Biomm focuses on developing, manufacturing, and commercialising complex biotech and biosimilar drug products.
USV | Take heart: Steering preventive strategies for charting a journey towards cardiac wellness
Did you know that Indians typically develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) 10 years earlier than individuals of European ancestry, with approximately 62% of all cardiovascular deaths occurring prematurely in Indian populations? The INTERHEART study revealed that South Asians experience their first myocardial infarction at a significantly younger age (mean age of 53.0 years) compared to other countries (mean age of 58.8 years). Diving into the realm of risk factors, Dr. Sameer Dani and Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar shared sharp-shooting insights into the most dominant as well as the emerging and potentially threatening risk factors leading to CVD and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, while sharing actionable insights into adopting healthy practices and combating early signs in the sixth webinar of the The Economic Times heart health awareness multimedia series, in collaboration with USV. Primarily, the cardiologists shared scientific evidence-based knowledge and profound insights, demystifying several facets of risk, from the commonly addressed factors of obesity, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes to the more nuanced and often overlooked ones, such as air pollution, lifestyle shifts, including the consumption of ready-to-eat foods, suffering from sleep deprivation to disturbance, stress, the fault lines of irregulated strenuous exercise, and family history.Moreover, through this dialogue, the cardiologists also shed light on the multifaceted nature of risks as embedded in our lifestyles, behaviours, and attitudes, including an obsession with social media or excessive screen time and less quality time spent with family or simply pursuing hobbies. Read the article to discover effective lifestyle modifications and chart a course towards cardiac wellness while leading a more holistic and harmonious life.
Carving the route to a healthy heart: Here’s how to identify and manage risk factors
It's crucial to tackle risk factors proactively, especially concerning cardiovascular diseases. This underscores the significance of the cardiac wellness session featuring Dr. Sameer Dani and Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar. Exploring the realm of heart health, these distinguished cardiologists offered invaluable insights in the latest installment of The Economic Times health awareness multimedia series—‘Ensuring Cardiovascular Wellness by Tackling Risk Factors’—in collaboration with USV. Discover comprehensive guidance on recognizing both traditional and emerging risk factors, the importance of early screenings, lifestyle adjustments, and more in this insightful heart-to-heart conversation.
Must Watch
Going beyond blood glucose monitoring: How CGM's panoramic perspective redefines diabetes management
ICMR-INDIAB study shows 44% rise in diabetes cases to over 101 million. CGM technology plays a crucial role in managing Type 2 diabetes by providing real-time monitoring and actionable insights, ultimately improving glucose control and reducing health complications.
Bharat Biotech starts clinical trials of TB jab
The only vaccine in use today--BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guerin)--is an attenuated variant of the bovine TB pathogen. This is more than a hundred years old and has a limited effect on pulmonary tuberculosis, which is mostly responsible for the transmission of the disease. Studying the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of MTBVAC in the most populated country in the world and the one with the highest number of cases of this infectious disease is key to continue advancing in this vaccine," the company said.
The bitterness of sugar
India's alarming sugar consumption in 2022 led to a diabetes epidemic. Managing heart disease risks through weight loss, exercise, and personalized care is crucial. Despite challenges, tailored strategies can help control diabetes effectively.
KKR, Carlyle and EQT among five buyout funds in race for Healthium
KKR, Carlyle, EQT, Hillhouse, and TA Associates are competing to acquire Healthium Medtech, the largest homegrown surgical sutures and surgical needles manufacturer in India. Apax Partners currently owns 99.8% of Healthium. The company has a significant international presence and moderate client concentration risk.
Shattering the Silence: Paving the path for cardiovascular wellness and diabetes care through the lens of Indian women
Dr. Sarita Rao, Dr. Shehla Shaikh, and Dr. Anupama Dubey dive into the spectrum of heart health and diabetes in the latest drop of the USV health awareness multimedia series—‘Winning the Battle Against Diabetes and Heart Disease in Women—in collaboration with The Economic Times. Together, they unravel and demystify various facets of cardiovascular health and diabetes in women, from subtle signs to potentially high-risk factors and the correlation of stress, hormonal imbalance, and bone health, while mapping the route to seek medical interventions at the right time.
Five years on, Morgan Stanley PE to exit cardiac stent maker SMT
Existing investor Samara Capital and the promoter, Dhirajlal Kotadia and his family, are also likely to sell an about 15-20% stake between them. The potential deal is likely to value SMT at ₹3,500-4,000 crore and the process will be launched by the end of April, said the people. In 2018, Morgan Stanley acquired its 17% stake in SMT with an investment of ₹160 crore. Samara Capital holds a 32% stake, while Kotak Pre IPO Opportunities Fund owns 6% and the promoters hold the remaining 45%.
