Page 22 - Pharma Companies
GSK buys 10% stake of German biotech firm CureVac in $164-million deal
GSK and CureVac, backed by Bill Gates, will work on developing up to five so-called mRNA-based vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for infectious diseases, they said.
 "GSK buys 10% stake of German biotech firm CureVac in $164-million deal")
Why vaccines can't be launched overnight
Under normal circumstances, the development of new vaccines and treatments could take 10-20 years
 "Why vaccines can't be launched overnight")
Covid-19: Moderna soars 18% as vaccine gives promising early results
The US biotech firm's breakthrough is one of the most promising developments yet in the race to develop a vaccine against the virus that has paralysed the world's economy.
 "Covid-19: Moderna soars 18% as vaccine gives promising early results")
Lupin shuts manufacturing plant after 17 staff test Covid-19 positive
The firm has some 11 manufacturing plants at the Ankleshwar site in Gujarat state, which is spread out over 40 acres and has 984 employees, according to the company website.
 "Lupin shuts manufacturing plant after 17 staff test Covid-19 positive")
Wall Street gains as Gilead data offsets coronavirus fears; Dow leads gains
Gilead's remdesivir significantly improved clinical recovery and reduced the risk of death in Covid-19 patients, additional data from a late-stage study showed.
 "Wall Street gains as Gilead data offsets coronavirus fears; Dow leads gains")
Remdesivir reduced risk of Covid-19 deaths, but more studies needed: Gilead
The company, which had initially released the data from the trial in April, said the finding requires confirmation in clinical trials
 "Remdesivir reduced risk of Covid-19 deaths, but more studies needed: Gilead")
Emergent signs 5-year deal to make drug used in J&J's Covid-19 vaccine
The news follows a $135 million deal struck by the two companies in April, to use Emergent's manufacturing facilities to speed up the development and production of its vaccine candidate
 "Emergent signs 5-year deal to make drug used in J&J's Covid-19 vaccine")
WHO expects results from Covid-19 drug trials within two weeks
Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies programme, said it would be unwise to predict when a vaccine could be ready against Covid-19
 "WHO expects results from Covid-19 drug trials within two weeks")
Relief for pharma firms as govt starts clearing API imports from China
This comes after a week of economic disruption caused by introducing stringent scrutiny, resulting in shipments originating in China getting held up at Indian ports.
 "Relief for pharma firms as govt starts clearing API imports from China")
Shot of Hope: Equal access a hurdle after race to coronavirus vaccine
The second of a two-part series examines challenges linked to IPR and monopoly once Covid-19 vaccine is created
 "Shot of Hope: Equal access a hurdle after race to coronavirus vaccine")
Electronics to urea: China is everywhere in India's consumer industries
Import of mobile phone components during April-February FY20, according to government figures, hit $7.5 billion - of which 25 per cent was from the land of the dragon.
 "Electronics to urea: China is everywhere in India's consumer industries")
With little access to doctors, drug firms go digital to stay relevant
The rise of e-pharmacies and tele-consultations during Covid-19 has made it easier for healthcare companies to access patient pools
 "With little access to doctors, drug firms go digital to stay relevant")
Panacea forms JV with Refana to develop, manufacture Covid-19 vaccine
The firm is set to make 500 million doses of the vaccine, which will then be supplied to the JV (based in the Republic of Ireland).
 "Panacea forms JV with Refana to develop, manufacture Covid-19 vaccine")
Covid-19 crisis: Drug sales in May down 9%, fiscal growth to be flat
Market research firm AIOCD AWACS has predicted zero growth in the domestic market this financial year.
 "Covid-19 crisis: Drug sales in May down 9%, fiscal growth to be flat")
Global law firms discuss lockdown compensation suits, India too at risk
Lawyers agree that at present the probability of such a suit arising is very low, but not unlikely
 "Global law firms discuss lockdown compensation suits, India too at risk")
AstraZeneca, Gilead merger likely to hit political, strategic hurdles
Political opposition from both the UK and the US could derail any attempt at a deal, especially given the backdrop of the Covid-19 outbreak, Citigroup said
Blueprint for a more healthy economy
What we need is a map - an economic blueprint - that will address the need for domestic growth and put in place measures that will make India attractive for foreign investment.
 "Blueprint for a more healthy economy")
Sun Pharma begins phase II clinical trial on dengue drug for Covid-19
This is the first phytopharmaceutical drug (plant based) that the country's drug regulator has approved for clinical trials for Covid-19.
Is India right in recommending HCQ despite the uncertainties around it?
HCQ was dropped from the solidarity trial that WHO was conducting as a part of a global effort in May.
 "Is India right in recommending HCQ despite the uncertainties around it?")
Russia backing antiviral drug Avifavir for Covid fight good news for India
Avifavir, described by its developers in Russia as perhaps the most promising anti-Covid-19 drug in the world, is derived from Favipiravir.