Archives

November 2009

• 20: GlaxoSmithKline recalls a lot of H1N1 vaccine Pandemrix from Canada due to side-effects
• 20: New drug increases intercourse time by 6-fold; delays orgasm: Sciele
• 20: Corifollitropin alfa (Elonva) to treat female infertility recommended for approval in EU: Merck
• 19: Sun Pharma gets US nod for Nicardipine Hydrochloride Injections (HCI) for hypertension
• 19: Contraceptive vaginal ring NuvaRing launched in India
• 13: Daiichi-Ranbaxy to supply Nuvo’s wound healing agent Oxoferin in Asian countries
• 13: Venus Remedies antibiotic combo against pneumonia potentox gets patent from South Africa
• 13: Mylan Matrix’ lansoprazole (Prevacid) generic gets US FDA approval
• 13: Flibanserin pills to arouse sexual desire in females by Boehringer Ingelheim is coming
• 13: Ranbaxy’s anti-HIV drug Indinavir gets WHO prequalification
• 12: Aurobindo’s perindopril (Aceon) generic pills get tentative approval from US FDA
• 12: Blood pressure vaccine candidate CYT006-AngQb safe and effective: Cytos Bio
• 11: One-a-day epilepsy pill eslicarbazepine acetate (Zebinix) launched in UK
• 11: Lupin seeks US FDA approval for generic Glumetza; Depomed may sue for patent violation
• 11: Alexandria Real Estate sets up Rs 500 million biotech R&D centre in Gujarat
• 11: Oncophage brain cancer vaccine (Vitespen) shows promise in extending survival recurrent glioma: Antigenics
• 11: Cipla launches Antiflu (oseltamivir) pills and syrup to treat H1N1 swine flu
• 10: Duke University joins hands with Jubilant to study chronic and metabolic diseases in India
• 10: CardioVations EndoClamp Aortic Catheter by Edwards Lifesciences recalled in US
• 10: Aurobindo’s generic cefotaxime (Claforan) injectables get US FDA approval
• 10: Abraxane gets orphan drug desig for pancreatic cancer, melanoma: Abraxis Bio
• 10: Zydus Cadila could be first Indian firm to launch H1N1 swine flu vaccine
• 09: Fast-acting erectile dysfunction drug udenafil is coming: Dong-A PharmTech
• 09: Sri Lanka to slap 2 year ban on three Indian drug importing companies
• 09: AstraZeneca sues Lupin on Nexium (esomeprazole) patents
• 09: Atazanavir (Reyataz) provides long-term effects in previously untreated HIV-1 patients: BMS
• 09: Isotretinoin generics face withdrawal threat in US as new study links acne drug to bowel disease
• 06: Peg-interferon lambda has fewer side effects in hepatitis C patients: BMS & Zymogen
• 06: Caraco launches generic ketorolac tromethamine (Acular) eye drops on first day of patent expiry in US
• 06: Higher sales, lower forex losses drive Torrent’s Q2 profits by 54% to Rs 74 crore
• 06: Aurobindo gets US FDA approval for generic lamotrigine (Lamictal) pills
• 06: Wyeth suspends Prevnar pneumococcal vaccine batch following deaths of infants in The Netherlands
• 05: US FDA speeds up review for velaglucerase alfa to treat Gaucher disease: Shire
• 05: Ranbaxy honours scientists & young scholars in pharma and medicine research
• 05: Non opium pain drug tezampanel can treat acute migraine, says Raptor
• 05: Anti-flu drug laninamivir by Daiichi Sankyo to be launched by 2011
• 05: Miconazole single dose is effective and safe to treat candidiasis in HIV patients: BioAlliance Pharma
• 04: Pancreatic cancer drug TNFerade by GenVec to get speedy approval in US
• 04: Aurobindo posts net profit of Rs 128.29 crore in Q2
• 04: ADX10059 can stop movement disorder dystonia symptoms caused by levadopa in Parkinson’s disease: Addex Pharma
• 04: Vaccine to fight breast and lung cancer Stimuvax from Merck KgaA is coming
• 04: Emergency contraceptives pills like `i-pill’ of Cipla or `Unwanted 72′ of Mankind could be made prescription drugs
• 03: Novartis expands R&D operations in China; to invest $1 bn in 5 years
• 03: Chinese traditional medicine claims to cure H1N1 swine flu in three days: Report
• 03: NicVAX vaccine to treat nicotine addiction enters late phase studies: Nabi Biopharma
• 03: Pbox-15 has potential to treat drug-resistant chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
• 03: Macleod’s clopidogrel generic pills consignment seized at Paris: Reports
• 02: Flu vaccine for elderly JRV-100 in clinical trials: Juvaris Biotherapeutics
• 02: Prostate cancer vaccine Provenge (sipuleucel-T) to hit markets soon
• 02: Ranbaxy exits Vietnam business; expects US FDA will lift ban on Dewas facility soon
• 02: Wockhardt’s Q3 2009 net falls by Rs 54 crore
• 02: Lupin moves US FDA to block cefixime (Suprax) oral suspension generics from rivals including Orchid Pharma

October 2009

• 30: Florbetaben scan detects beta-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s patients: Bayer
• 30: Warner Chilcott may settle patent dispute with Lupin on Loestrin 24 Fe and Femcon Fe contracepive pills
• 30: GlaxoSmithKline India net sales up by 12% in Q3 2009
• 30: Bayer, GSK, Pfizer and other MNCs agree to bypass drug patents in Ecuador
• 30: Six Indian pharma companies may face product ban in Sri Lanka for marketing ‘contaminated’ drugs
• 29: Cholesterol lowering statins may cut H1N1 swine flu deaths by half: Study
• 29: H1N1 swine flu test kit Prodesse ProFlu-ST for rapid detection of pandemic virus gets emergency approval in US: Gen-Probe
• 29: Glenmark cuts back drug discovery spend
• 29: Alteplase can be effective in stroke therapy upto 4.5 hours: Indian physicians
• 29: Wockhardt denies sell-out talks with Pfizer on biotech business
• 28: Sun Pharma suffers 11.5% drop in Q2 profits owing to US FDA action in Caraco
• 28: Cadila Pharma- Novavax joint venture CPL Biologicals to begin H1N1 swine flu vaccine production in 4 months
• 28: Qualitest recalls all Accusure insulin syringes from US market due to needle problem
• 28: Zyprexa (olanzapine), Seroquel (quetiapine) and Risperdal (risperidone) could lead to obesity in kids: Study
• 28: Indian pharma exporters may be asked to boycott KLM airline by commerce ministry: Reports
• 27: Bharat Biotech to set up ‘Biotech Pharma IT Park’ in Orissa for Rs 100 crore
• 27: Glenmark Generics launches topiramate, nebivolvol, mometasone and perindopril in UK
• 27: Zydus Cadila posts 39% increase in net profit in Q2 ‘09, bolstered by global sales
• 27: Hetero Drugs launches oseltamivir syrup (Fluvir) to H1n1 swine flu: Reports
• 27: Purdue Pharma sues Ranbaxy on generic OxyContin (oxycondone) patent rights in US
• 26: Lupin’s Q2 2009 net up by 39%
• 26: Indus botanical drug for HIV/AIDS & H1N1 swine flu treatment
• 26: H1N1 swine flu virus testing lab opened in Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore
• 26: India, South Africa sales boost Ranbaxy’s Q2 earnings for 2009
• 26: Intravenous (IV) H1N1 swine flu drug peramivir approved for emergency use in US: Biocryst
• 23: H1N1 swine flu vaccine market to cross $7 bn in 2011, says Markets & Markets
• 23: Novo Nordisk’s anti-diabetes drug liraglutide (Victoza) helps lose excess weight: Study
• 23: Generics, forex gains fire Dr Reddy’s second quarter earnings in 2009
• 23: Indian pharma market to reach nearly $45 billion by 2018: Report
• 23: Pfizer in talks with Indian drug firms Zydus Cadila, Intas Pharma, Mankind, Emcure for possible buy-outs: Reports
• 22: H1N1 vaccine Panflu 1 from Sinovac Biotech gets approval in Mexico
• 22: Sun Pharma resolves lawsuit on adamantane (Namenda) with Forest Labs; won’t market Alzheimer’s drug till patent expiry
• 22: Endo’s testosterone gel Fortesta to enhance sexual libido in men needs more data: US FDA
• 22: Biocon Group posts revenues of Rs 1098 crore for H1 2009
• 22: Eli Lilly and GE develop technology to make cancer drugs more effective
• 21: H1N1 swine flu virus testing lab at Haffkine Institute, Mumbai to be upgraded to bio-safety level 3
• 21: DCGI’s drug licence centralizing plan suffers another blow as Karnataka High Court stays order
• 21: Lupus drug belimumab (Benlysta) data highly promising: GSK, Human Genome Sciences
• 21: Ocimum Bio launches a new lab info systems swap programme
• 21: Huge seizure of Indian generic drugs at EU ports; India, global NGOs cry foul
• 20: Novartis’ indacaterol (QAB149) to treat COPD needs more data on dosing: US FDA
• 20: GLP1 analogue oral pill could help glucose dependend insulin release, claims Oramed
• 20: Two vaccines for Alzheimer’s disease found safe in first-in-man studies: AFFiRiS
• 20: Novavax begins human studies for 2009 H1N1 vaccine in Mexico; Cadila JV to run VLP flu vac clinical trials in India
• 20: Natco Pharma denies legal action from DCGI for marketing ’sub-standard’ breast cancer drug Albupax
• 19: Osteoporosis drug denosumab’s (Prolia) approval delayed in US: Amgen
• 19: Rituximab (Rituxan) plus methotrexate combo denied approval for rheumatoid arthritis treatment
• 19: Natco faces lawsuit from Teva on multiple sclerosis drug generic glatiramer (Capaxone)
• 19: India’s API exports to Europe reach over 27%: Pharmexcil
• 19: Brain cancer drug ANG1005 shows promise in resistant tumors: Angiochem
• 16: Vaccine for nicotine addiction NIC002 flunks: Cytos
• 16: Anti-CCP test to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis gets US FDA approval: Axis-Shield
• 16: BNC210 anxiety drug compound less-addictive, says Bionomics
• 16: HIV drugs with no side effect could become a reality soon
• 16: Wockhardt’s alfuzosin (Uroxatral) generic pills to treat prostate disease get tentative approval in US
• 15: Centralized drug licensing in jeopardy as Indian court stays DCGI’s order
• 15: Pfizer settles voriconazole (VFend) generic issue with Mylan, Matrix
• 15: India may curb H1N1 swine flu drug oseltmamivir retail prices: Reports
• 15: Suven Life Sciences wins product patents for SUVN-502 to treat cognitive defects
• 15: H1N1 swine testing facility opened in SMS Medical College, Jaipur
• 14: Glenmark stops marketing codeine sulfate pills in US
• 14: Infliximab (Remicade) cuts need for surgery in ulcerative colitis
• 14: Dutasteride (Avodart) + tamsulosin combo cuts prostate enlargement risks: GSK
• 14: Piramal Lifesciences plans a Rs 200-crore boost for drug discovery research
• 13: Quick test to confirm swine flu Diatherix H1N1-09 approved for emergency use in USA
• 13: Meda launches buccal fentanyl Onsolis to manage cancer pain in US
• 13: Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy AMT-080 gets oraphan drug status in Europe: Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics
• 13: Vascular Solutions’ blood clotting device Guardian II approved in US
• 13: Merck KGaA buys out Indian bio services firm Bangalore Genei
• 12: H1N1 influenza leads to severe respiratory failure in healthy youngsters: Studies
• 12: H1N1 swine flu drug zanamivir (Relenza) could cause death if nebulized, warn USFDA, GSK
• 12: Serum Institute starts safety studies of H1N1 influenza vaccines in India
• 12: CSL Behring’s hereditary angioedema drug Berinert approved in US
• 12: Non-hormonal drug gabapentin (Serada) to treat menopausal hot flashes shows promise: Depomed
• 09: Sanofi-Aventis settles colorectal cancer drug oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) litigation with Sun Pharma
• 09: Medtronic launches stent to treat thoracic aneurisms
• 09: Serum Institute’s fast-acting rabies antibody in human trials
• 09: Maroviroc (Selzentry) from Pfizer safe for first-time HIV treament: US FDA panel
• 09: Oral cholera vaccine found safe in Indian children
• 08: XMRV virus linked to chronic fatigue, says study
• 08: Global pharma market to cross over $975 billion by 2013 : IMS Health
• 08: Androxal (enclomiphene) boosts sperm count in low testosterone men: Repros
• 08: India plans H1N1 vaccine launch by Dec, fresh wave of swine flu sweeps across the country
• 08: Bulk drug manufacturing in India to go green; Eco-norms will cover more small scale API producers
• 07: REG1 drug makes blood thinners safer by reversing bleeding, from Regado Biosciences
• 07: European antitrust officials raid Ranbaxy’s French unit
• 07: Lupin licenses drug delivery technology to Salix for $5 million
• 05: Heparin dosage cut by 10% to decrease potency: US FDA
• 05: Telomerase aka immortality enzyme drugs could eliminate cancer; stop ageing
• 05: Sun Pharma’s caffeine citrate (Cafcit) generic injectable approved in US
• 05: India moots compulsory diabetes testing for villagers above 40
• 05: Lucentis (ranibizumab) can restore eyesight in sudden vision loss patients: Genentech
• 02: Sun Pharma’s Caraco acquires Forest Inwood’s product line following Lexapro settlement
• 02: First oral multiple sclerosis pill cladribine may hit markets by 2010: Merck KGaA
• 02: Cephalon’s wakefulness pill Nuvigil (armodafinil) granted priority review in US
• 02: Kidney cancer drug Pazopanib (Votrient) of GSK could lead to liver damage: US FDA
• 02: Device to control heavy menstrual bleeding Mirena from Bayer approved in US
• 01: Caraco to resolve manufacturing issues with US FDA after products seizure at Detroit plant
• 01: Aurobindo to share 180-day exclusive marketing rights for generic atomexetine (Strattera) in US
• 01: India’s PSU vaccine units PII, Coonoor & CRI Kasauli may restart production soon
• 01: Bharat Bio’s lysostaphin to treat staphylococcal infections wins US, EU patents
• 01: Sun seeks approval for once-daily tramadol (Ryzolt) generic pill in US; Could face patent suit from Lobopharm, Purdue

September 2009

• 30: Testosterone underarm spray Axiron to boost sex drive in men from Acrux on way
• 30: Taro sues India’s Sun Pharma for not disclosing key info on Caraco in buy-out offer
• 30: Tentative US FDA approval for Wockhardt’s generic prostate drug tamsulosin capsules
• 30: Strides Arcolab plans to raise $170-$200 mn for injectables arm; Carlyle, 3i in talks for minority stake: Reports
• 30: Dr Reddy’s withdraws citalopram,fexofenadine, pravastatin and risperidone lots from US market
• 29: Biocon’s insulin pill for launch in 18 months, says Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
• 29: Novo Nordisk plans to increase Indian staff strength to 500 in next 3-5 years
• 29: Yaz contraceptive pill from Bayer faces probe by Swissmedic following death of a woman
• 29: Testosterone deficiency causes heart diseases, diabetes
• 29: Drug coated stents better than plain metal stents for heart attack patients: Study
• 28: SOHM launches 26 generic cough & cold pharma products in India
• 28: Halozyme begins clinical trial using rHuPH20 for faster insulin product
• 28: Stelara (ustekinumab) approved by FDA to treat severe plaque psoriasis in US
• 28: Pfizer’s new lung cancer drug PF-02341066 goes for phase 3 trials
• 28: GlaxoSmithKline withdraws Zunrisa (casopitant) filings on safety fears
• 25: Diabetes drug Januvia (sitagliptin) could cause serious pancreatitis: US FDA
• 25: Glenmark may sell stake in Glenmark Generics to cut Rs19 bn debts: Reports
• 25: India’s pharmaceuticals exports reaches $9.35 bn growing @ 29% for the year 2008-09
• 25: Strides launches H1N1 swine flu drug Starflu (oseltamivir) in Indian drug stores
• 25: India centralizes drug product licensing from October 1
• 24: Avastin (bevacizumab) improves survival, cognitive functions in severe brain cancer patients: Roche
• 24: Geovax HIV/AIDS vaccine claims higher level of protection
• 24: With 70 patents in kitty, Wockhardt wins government of India patent award
• 24: US court rejects Wyeth’s lawsuit against USFDA for approving Orchid Pharma’s piperacillin and tazobactam generic injectable
• 24: Natco offers cheaper H1N1 swine flu drug oseltamivir to government; to launch Kid’s Natflu syrup soon
• 23: Cancer drug toxicity test to minimize drug failures in clinical trials on way
• 23: Venus Remedies licenses marketing rights of antibiotic Sulbactomax to South Korean firm
• 23: India plans to launch five-in-one (pentavalent) vaccine immunization programme; Shantha Bio, Bharat Biotech could win major supply contracts
• 22: Prostvac extends survival in severe prostate cancer: Bavarian Nordic
• 22: Cipla is raising $175 million by selling shares to reduce debt: Reports
• 22: HIV screening test Abbott Prism HIV O Plus gets US FDA approval
• 22: Glycerol phenylbutyrate (HPN-100) granted orphan drug status by US FDA to treat hepatic encephalopathy
• 22: Erectile dysfunction cream, faster acting and safer, coming
• 21: MNC pharma companies to control 8% of $20bn worth Indian medicines market by 2015
• 21: Apotex recalls Ao-Amilzide, Apo-Meloxicam and Apo-Ranitidine lots from Canada
• 21: Nexavar (sorafenib) could stop breast cancer progression: Bayer & Onyx
• 21: Natco launches swine flu drug oseltamivir generic Natflu in India
• 21: Glenmark Pharma to raise Rs 12 billion (US$250 million) from overseas markets
• 18: Glenmark’s hypertension generic verapamil SR pills receives US FDA approval
• 18: US FDA seeks more data on Sanofi-Aventis sleep drug eplivanserin (Ciltyril)
• 18: Dr Reddy’s may sell 5% of founders’ stake to GlaxoSmithKline for $15o million: Reports
• 18: Orchid Pharma gets US FDA approval for generic zaleplon to treat insomnia
• 18: India to be base for Merck-Wellcome Trust joint venture to develop cheaper vaccines for low-income countries
• 17: New marine-origin antibacterial molecule to treat multi-drug resistant infections safe: Piramal Life
• 17: Matrix gets tentative US FDA approval for generic version of HIV drug Atripla under PEPFAR
• 17: India’s drug price watchdog NPPA revises prices of vitamins, anti-asthma medicines
• 17: Ranbaxy to launch Medi-Tox’ botulinum toxin-based anti-ageing drug Neuronox in India
• 17: Xiaflex – new drug to treat clenched fingers Xiaflex from Auxilium
• 16: Dr Reddy’s faces patent lawsuit from Albany Molecular on Sanofi’s allergy drug Allegra
• 16: Wireless pacemakers set to transform heart disease monitoring
• 16: India allows retail sale of swine flu drugs oselatamivir and zanamivir
• 16: India’s Orchid Pharma wins 180-day exclusivity for piperacillin and tazobactam injectables in US
• 16: Warner Chilcott sues Lupin for breaching patents on generic oral contraceptives in US
• 15: India’s Natco Pharma gets a boost following US approval of generic glatiramer (Capaxon R) injection
• 15: Blood test for ovarian cancer OVA1 from Vermillion approved in US
• 15: Televancin (Vibativ) antibiotic against toughest staph, MSRA skin infections to hit markets
• 15: Pregnant women more likely to get dangerous H1N1 swineflu
• 15: Don’t mix IP issues with fake drugs, WHO asks MNC drug makers
• 14: Sun Pharma cleared of anti-trust laws in US for acquiring Taro shares
• 14: Suven granted two more US patents for drugs to treat Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia
• 14: Glenmark sets sight on LatAm pharma markets; Sets up injectables facility at Buenos Aires
• 14: Dr Reddy’s launches nateglinide generic for diabetes in US
• 14: H1N1 test kit for quick swine flu resistance screening from Qiagen hits markets
• 11: GSK, Merck reportedly in race to buy Dr Reddy’s stake; Dr Reddy’s denies reports
• 11: One dose of swine flu vaccine is enough to prevent H1N1 infection
• 11: India to recognize traditional Himalayan medicine Sowa-Rigpa
• 11: Indian CRO Siro Clinpharm sets up shop in Czech Republic
• 11: Biocon joins hands with Amylin to develop a new peptide drug for diabetes
• 10: Inhaled migraine drug Levadex effective in hard-to-treat headaches: MAP
• 10: Global Pharma Services ties up with Indian CRO Abridge
• 10: OraSure, Biorad shares jump on public funding for HIV screening news in US
• 10: Avesthagen revives IPO hopes; plans to raise Rs 6-7 billion
• 10: Merck’s cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil recommended for men
• 09: Biocon, Dr Reddy’s, Reliance Life, Intas to dominate $19.4 bn global biosimilars market by 2014
• 09: Allergan to seek approval for botulinum toxin (Botox) to cure chronic migarine headache
• 09: Pfizer, Dr Reddy’s, Serum, Jubilant among winners of Frost & Sullivan healthcare awards 2009
• 09: Injectable swine flu drug peramivir to treat complicated H1N1 round the corner
• 09: Tovaxin keeps multiple scelorosis patients relapse-free, says Opexa
• 08: India speeds up national pharma policy
• 08: Venus Remedies gets Indian patent for injectable FDC Potentox
• 08: XMRV link could lead to a drug against prostate cancer
• 08: Cipla widens allergic rhinitis drug deal with Meda to include EU, Japan…
• 08: Suven achieves first milestone in CNS drug discovery pact with Eli Lilly
• 07: Indian clinical trials market to grow at 30% to touch $ 600 m in 3 years
• 07: India tightens licensing and manufacturing standards for drug exports
• 07: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) resistant H1N1 swine flu emerging
• 07: Pfizer plans expanding generic business in India
• 07: Aurobindo to launch schizophrenia drug risperidone in US
• 05: Serum Institute of India to launch swine flu vaccine before March 2010
• 04: Thinner thighs lead to heart disease, early death: Study
• 03: Testosterone drug Nebido to treat low sexual libido in men delayed in US
• 03: Validus chooses Ranbaxy as partner to sell calcium deficiency drug generic calictriol in US
• 03: Shantha Biotechnics bags $340 million UN contract to supply pentavalent vaccine
• 02: Venus Remedies to launch Mebatic infusion to fight gastro intestinal infections in India
• 02: India boosts oseltamivir stockpile to 30 million doses; buys another 900,000 swine flu pills from Ranbaxy
• 02: Avesthagen to start clinical trials of generic version of darbepoetin alfa AVDESP in India
• 02: Severe H1N1 swine flu hits young and healthy
• 02: Bangalore on high alert; sets up H1n1 swine flu testing centres
• 01: Novartis challenges Glivec patent decision in Indian Supreme Court
• 01: Strides to supply 7.4 lakh oseltamivir (Tamiflu) pills to Indian health ministry
• 01: H1N1 swine flu second wave coming

August 2009

• 31: Monsoon shortfall hits pharma sales in India
• 31: Cipla’s Bangalore manufacturing facility gets clean chit from USFDA
• 31: Mumbai opens more centres for swine flu (H1N1) testing
• 28: Indian Supreme Court dismisses Roche’s patent suit against Cipla’s erlotinib (Tarceva) generic
• 27: Aurobindo get US FDA approval for antibiotic clindamycin generic pills
• 27: CT scans’ cancer risk more than ultrasound or MRI
• 26: Cervical cancer causing papilloma virus (HPV) leads to cancer of penis
• 26: Private labs to conduct H1N1 testing in New Delhi
• 26: Oseltamivir, zanamivir safe for children
• 26: H1N1 Oseltamivir treatment can begin before lab confirms infection: WHO
• 25: Generic sales of Indian firms grew 12% in first quarter of 2009-10: Enam
• 22: Ibuprofen creams and rubs for pain relief to go off shelves in US
• 19: Fainting – main side-effect of cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil
• 19: Over 2 dozen new infectious diseases emerge; India ups disease surveillance
• 18: Chinese bio firm Sinovac makes single shot vaccine against H1N1 swine flu virus

July 2009

• 15: Clinical trials market to grow 11% through next decade; India to gain most
• 15: Premarin offers solution for painful sex, vaginal dryness, says Wyeth study
• 14: Glenmark, Aurobindo to market fosinopril-hydrochlorothiazide (Monopril-HCT) generic pills for hypertension in US
• 14: Dr Reddy’s faces a deadlock on generic lenalidomide launch in US as Celgene refuses to supply Revlimid samples
• 14: Jubilant Organosy’s quarterly profits zoom to Rs 126 cr; sees revenues to grow by 15% for FY 2010
• 14: Sun Pharma to license anti-depressant escitalopram (Lexapro) rights to Lundbeck
• 13: Pain-free cancer therapy photodynamic technique launched in Chandigarh, India
• 13: Plan B One-Step – One-pill emergency contraceptive approved in US
• 13: India to make registration of clinical research organizations (CRO) compulsory
• 12: Shasun Chemicals forays biogenerics biz by launching streptokinase in India
• 09: Ranbaxy withdraws acne drug isotretinoin from US
• 09: Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 virus casts shadow over India’s oseltamivir-only swine flu drug stock pile
• 07: India’s MJ Biopharma violates MHRA manufacturing norms; prompts 8 companies to withdraw generics in UK
• 07: Orchid gets US FDA approval for amlodipine (Norvasc) generic pills
• 06: Budget 2009 and pharma industry: Flu vaccine, breast cancer, hepatatis B drugs get total customs duty waiver
• 04: Glenmark receives first-to-file status for Zetia, Tarka, Cutivate drugs in US
• 03: Lupin buys nasal steroid AllerNaze global rights from Collegium
• 02: Anti-smoking pill Champix slapped blackbox warning by USFDA; may face more opposition in India
• 01: Biocon ties up with Mylan to sell monoclonals, biogenerics in US, Europe

June 2009

• 30: Medical devices manufacturing guidelines finalized in India
• 30: Aurobindo sues South African govt alleging bias in AIDS drugs supply contract
• 30: Medicis sues Glenmark on skin drug fluocinonide (Vanos) patents in US
• 28: USFDA action on Caraco could severely hit Sun Pharma’s revenues
• 26: Pakistani firewalker boy’s gene could lead to best – and safest – of pain drugs ever
• 26: Natco to launch generic granisetron pills to treat nausea in cancer patients in US
• 25: Swiss CRO PFC joins forces with Excel Life to leverage on Indian clinical trial opportunities
• 25: Dr Reddy’s launches solifenacin (Bispec) for overactive bladder disease in India
• 24: Japanese drug major Astellas enters India; to launch organ rejection drug Prograf (tacrolimus)
• 23: Prices of cancer, AIDS drugs may come down in India post-Budget 2009
• 20: First vaccine against H1N1 virus from CSL to be available in 2 months
• 20: Jubilant Biosys in pact with Endo Pharma on cancer drug discovery
• 19: GSK in generic drugs pact with Dr Reddy’s
• 19: Dr Reddy’s to hire 1,300 people braving recession; to recruit more women staff
• 19: Clinical trial registration made compulsory in India from 15th June
• 19: UK firms set sight on Indian clinical research sector
• 19: Pfizer bolsters lawsuit against Sun to block generic Lyrica (pregabalin)
• 11: Premature ejaculation pill Priligy (dapoxetine) to seek US FDA approval soon
• 11: Kemwell sets up biopharmaceuticals facility on Boehringer Ingelheim’s Bi Hex platform technology
• 08: Bharat Biotech and Shantha Bio stand to gain as WHO includes global use of rotavirus vaccine
• 08: Medical devices market in India to reach $1.7 billion by 2010: NIPER
• 04: National formulary of India to aid doctors, chemists & nurses on drug dosages to be revived in India
• 04: Zydus seeks DCGI’s permission to study new anti-diabetic molecule ZYD1
• 03: Shantha Biotechnics may forge stake sell-off deal in 2 weeks; GSK emerges top on buyers’ list
• 03: Sanofi’s new drug BSI 201 offers to treat the toughest breast cancer
• 03: US FDA warning on Mandideep facility may hit Lupin’s revenue
• 03: BioSante’s libido boosting testosterone drug LibiGel improves bone mineral density in HIV+ women
• 03: India clamps down on pharmacy colleges lacking in faculty, infrastructure
• 02: Adcock stops bidding Medpro as Cipla threatens to end supply deal

May 2009

• 29: Levadex migraine spray shows promising results says Map Pharma
• 29: Generic drug companies see wider opportunities in Europe
• 28: Indian pharma product exports grow 30.7% in April 2008 – January 2009
• 28: Roche’s Tamiflu swine flu drug gets customs duty waiver in India
• 21: Solvay to market Lipocine’s testosterone pill for men with low sex drive
• 21: Dr Reddy on a restructuring spree; transfers discovery research to Aurigene
• 21: India funds small-time biotech ventures through unique scheme SBIRI
• 21: Troikaa patents painless diclofenac injection Dynapar AQ
• 21: Pfizer gets rights to 55 generic pills, 20 injectibles through new deals
• 20: DCGI warns chemists shops against selling swine flu drug oseltamivir
• 20: India plans to cut prices of cancer drugs
• 20: Indian generic makers see opportunities in growing Japan generics market
• 19: Merck readies cholesterol drug Tredaptive for launch by 3rd quarter of 2009
• 19: Suppliers of API & formulations likely to face heightened US FDA scrutiny
• 19: New generation platinum chromium Taxus element drug-eluting stents launched
• 19: Drug to treat dry eyes promising, says Can-Fite
• 18: Inhalable insulin Afresa awaits US FDA approval
• 18: Dr Reddy’s fourth quarter earnings drop by 4 %
• 18: India’s regulator DCGI plans inspection of overseas drug manufacturing facilities
• 18: India confirms first case of swine flu as WHO prepares to declare H1N1 a pandemic
• 18: Genzyme sues Lupin on violating patents on sevelamer carbonate Renvela in US
• 15: ActiPatch, a drug free pain management device launched in India by Piramal
• 15: India’s leading API maker Aurobindo Pharma opens manufacturing facility in Malta
• 15: A test to find who will develop Alzheimer’s dementia in future developed
• 15: Ginger reduces vomiting after chemotherapy for cancer
• 14: India’s Jan Aushadhi plan to sell low-cost medicine through govt. outlets faces supply hurdle
• 14: Antivenom for scorpion poison is completing human studies
• 13: Cipla’s generic oseltamivir pill in WHO list
• 13: Ocimum Bio launches genomic services on Affymetrix platform in Europe
• 13: Breast cancer patients sue Myriad for patenting human BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• 13: Europe suspends Chinese APIs
• 13: India may allow data protection for pharma companies
• 13: India taps own trees for raw material shikimic acid to make swine flu drug oseltamivir
• 13: Lab test kit to detect swine flu launched
• 12: H1N1 swine flu virus possibly a man-made product, claims scientist
• 12: Folic acid cuts risk of premature babies
• 12: Drug stents are superior to metal stents: Study
• 12: Cancer drug Tarceva (erlotinib) can cause holes in intestine, warns US FDA
• 12: H1N1 swine flu virus highly infectious
• 12: Pharma exports to US fall by 40 %; India is losing share to China, South Korea
• 11: Brilinta (ticagrelor) better in reducing heart attacks and strokes than Plavix (clopidogrel), says AstraZeneca
• 11: Low-cost generics saved $734 billion in US: GPhA
• 11: Intas Bio launches generic bortezomib in India
• 11: Indian drug makers want Govt to raise prices of medicines under essential drugs list
• 11: Asthma pills like Synasma, Doxobid prices to drop to 1/12th their current prices in India
• 08: Sun Pharma gets US FDA approval for alfuzosin generic
• 08: Sex drive boosting testosterone gels like AndroGel & Testim are dangerous to children
• 07: Pfizer’s anti-smoking drug Champix faces patent roadblock in India as Dr Reddy’s files post grant opposition
• 07: Australian CRO Novotech extends operations to India through JV with ETI Klinical
• 07: Pharma outsourcing industry sees red in Obama’s new tax code
• 07: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) + zanamivir (Relenza) combo a better strategy against swine flu
• 07: Indian Swine flu drug makers want sell oseltamivir through drug stores; Govt says ‘no’
• 06: S&P’s top ten promising drugs of 2009-2010
• 06: Ranbaxy’s malaria combination drug in last leg of human studies
• 06: Hetero bags India’s one-million-dose oseltamivir order even as Strides joins fray
• 06: Avastin (bevacizumab) FDA approval for brain cancer treatment in US
• 06: Sun Pharma subsidiary Caraco asked to withdraw metformin pills in US
• 06: Cipla’s generic HIV drug tenofovir receives USFDA approval
• 05: Jubilant Bio, AstraZeneca in pre-clinical drug research pact
• 05: Drug to treat premature ejaculation in men, PSD502, shows promising results
• 05: Testosterone contraceptive injection for men around the corner
• 05: Pimavanserin to treat Parkinson’s disease psychosis soon to hit markets
• 05: Bayer low-dose contraceptive patch for women in late-stage human testing
• 05: Serum Institute of India is developing swine flu vaccine
• 04: Sun, Orchid spend tens of thousands dollars on US lobbying
• 04: Pfizer sues Sun, Wockhardt, Lupin on Lyrica (pregabalin) patents
• 04: Swine flu affects youngsters more: Reports
• 04: WHO to raise swine flu alert to Level 6
• 03: Hetero can produce 80 million oseltamivir (Fluvir) pills in a month
• 02: India’s IPR protection weak: US
• 01: Botox and Dysport has serious health risks, warns USFDA
• 01: Celvapan, Peramivir are among new preventive drugs against H1N1 virus
• 01: Compulsory licensing of Tamiflu & Relenza on the cards

April 2009

• 30: Oncophage brain cancer vaccine gets European approval
• 30: Health ministry denies swine flu incidence in India
• 30: PharmaSat launch on 5th May
• 30: India’s swine flu preventive response too slow: Reports
• 30: Has swine flu reached India?
• 29: WHO raises swine flu pandemic alert to Level Five
• 29: Malaysia claims to have anti-swine flu vaccine
• 29: US speeds up preventive vaccine program against swine flu virus H1N1
• 29: Testosterone patches to boost sex drive in women
• 29: United’s inhalable treprostinil (Tyvosa) in trouble as US FDA delays decision
• 29: India rejects patents for Gilead’s adefovir (Hespera) & Roche’s erlotinib (Tarceva) salts
• 29: Swine flu: India on high alert, plans to stockpile 15 billion oseltamivir pills
• 29: Indian CRO Vimta Labs completes 1000 clinical trials
• 28: Drug makers may be required to collect expired medicines to keep water in streams clean
• 28: Omega Pharma enters India through Modi-Mundipharma JV
• 28: Eisai expects to launch epilepsy pill Zebinix across EU during 2009 -10
• 28: Preventive vaccine against swine flu stillfar away
• 28: Zydus Cadila’s fourth quarter earnings up by 18 %
• 28: India’s Cipla readies 1.5 m doses of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) drug to prevent swine flu
• 27: Jobs: India to recruit over 1000 patent examiners
• 27: Oral cholera vaccine Shanchol from Shantha for India
• 27: Glenmark cannot launch ezetimibe (Zetia) generic till it clears patent dispute with Schering
• 27: LibiGel, Flibanserin female sexual dysfunction treatments await US FDA approval
• 27: Vitamin K boosts sorafenib (Nexavar) activity against pancreas, liver cancers
• 27: Swine flu prevention: oseltmavir generic makers in India sees greater demand
• 27: Telaprevir –A drug promise for HCV treatment-failed patients?
• 24: Malaria vaccine Mosquirix from GSK to be launched in three years
• 24: Cipla can sell erlotinib, generic version of Roche’s patented drug Tarceva, in India, says High Court
• 24: Strides Arcolab quarterly report: Net profit drops by 80% in Q4 08-09
• 24: Ranbaxy suffers huge net losses in fourth quarter earnings; sees $150m more loss in 2009
• 24: Piramal Healthcare’s Q4 profits fall by 13.49% on forex impact
• 24: Cervical cancer screening for 50,000 women in Kolkata, India
• 24: Upcoming TB vaccine looks promising MVA85A/AERAS-485
• 23: New Alzheimer’s therapy scyllo-inositol gets US patent
• 23: Dr Reddy’s launches Redispar (doxercalciferol) synthetic vitamin D in India
• 23: Aloe Vera bulk manufacturer and wholesale suppliers in Mumbai, India
• 23: PhRMA makes Phase 1 human studies registration mandatory
• 23: Human studies of whole-parasite malaria vaccine from Sanaria begin
• 23: China, India pharma industries to grow while global pharma markets dip further: IMS Health
• 23: Luliconazole, new drug for Athlete’s Foot, is in trials
• 23: J&J starts R&D center in India to gain faster access to new compounds
• 22: Cervical cancer vaccine market hots up in India with Merck’s Gardasil and GSK’s Cervarix
• 22: Orgasm Inc. documentary by Liz Canner attacks female sexual dysfunction make-belief
• 22: Grapefruit juice + rapamycin combo, a promise against tough-to-treat cancers
• 21: Fibre-rich food can activate anti-cancer substance PR109A in the body
• 21: Tetravalent dengue vaccine from Sanofi extends human studies in Asia
• 21: Indian pharma industry sales up 18 % despite recession and slowdown in March 2009
• 21: Less sleep raises cancer risk
• 21: Diets high in salt, fat lead to 1/3rd of heart attacks
• 21: Omega-3 can prevent prostate cancer: Studies
• 21: Caffeine – A herbal remedy to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder?
• 20: US FDA rejects Discovery’s infant drug Surfaxin
• 20: India dusts out Mashelkar report seeking to extend patents to incremental inventions
• 20: Bisphosphonates protect from toxic effects of radiation treatment, leukemia
• 20: Screening of smokers urine for NNAL & cotinine can predict lung cancer risk
• 19: US FDA finds manufacturing errors in Cipla’s Bangalore plant
• 19: Heart attacks with no symptoms kill people 11 times more
• 18: Indian CRO SIRO ClinPharm bolsters oncology services through a pact with ACT Solutions of USA
• 18: Sun Pharma extends Taro shares purchasing date upto 24th April
• 17: India rejects patents for Pfizer’s Caduet, GSK’s rosiglitazone salt
• 17: ‘Spurious drugs’ campaign against Indian generics spreads across Africa
• 17: US Court stops Apotex from selling Pulmicort generic
• 16: Marck gets NPCB approval for small volume parenterals
• 16: Epilepsy drug valproate causes mental retardation in kids
• 16: Gilead’s patent for Tamiflu / oseltamivir anti-influenza drug rejected by Indian patent Office
• 16: AstraZeneca launches cholesterol drug Crestor (rosuvastatin) in India, statins market hots up
• 16: Blindness drug fenretinide gets fast-track review by US FDA
• 15: Provenge (sipuleucel-T) vaccine for prostate cancer to cost $50,000
• 15: Roxicodone opportunity for Sun Pharma in US after narcotic painkillers recalled
• 15: Trofentyl OTFC lollypops with fentanyl painkiller in India
• 15: Clinical trials and testing rules in India: 10 yr jail term for violating rules on testing new drugs in humans
• 14: CPHPC, new hope for Alzheimer’s disease
• 14: No calcium in Khatika Churna-Calcium Sandoz@250: Novartis
• 14: Viagra, Cialis do not damage eyesight
• 14: Reloxin (Dysport), alternative to Botox waiting US nod
• 14: Indian and Chinese CROs GVK Bio and Excel team up for clinical trial services
• 13: Pharma MNCs vie for the Indian pie
• 13: Mumbai traders end boycotting Novartis drugs
• 13: Novartis drugs boycott in Mumbai may extend to other parts of India
• 13: Pfizer India’s shares zoom as parent company offers to boost stake by 75%
• 12: Indian pharma exports surge to $1.2 bn in first 3 quarters of 2008-09
• 11: Mumbai traders threaten to boycott Novartis drugs
• 11: Oral cholera vaccine in India for Rs 50 ($ 1)
• 11: Avotermin (Juvista), a scar removal drug, being developed by Renovo
• 10: Dr M Vidyasagar elected new ABLE president
• 09: Indian Pharma in Fourth Quarter 2009 forecast by Sharekhan
• 09: Genentech recalls psoriasis drug Raptiva on concerns of fatal brain infection
• 09: Adcock Ingram offers to buy Cipla Medpro for 2 .13 billion Rand
• 08: Medivation develops promising treatment MDV3100 for drug-resistant prostate cancer
• 08: Aurobindo’s finasteride for prostate disease gets Switzerland approval
• 08: Vitamin pill abuse gets worse in India
• 07: Pfizer to settle Trovan unethical trial case in Kano for $75 m out of court
• 07: Microneedle for painless injection coming soon
• 07: Intercell’s new pneumococcus vaccine will compete with Wyeth’s Prevnar and Merck’s Pneumovax; phase 1 clinical trial begins
• 06: Editing human memory now a possibility
• 06: India’s 5-in-1 pentavalent programme for kids in jeopardy
• 06: Onglyza (saxagliptin) for Type-2 diabetes OK with FDA, but cardiovascular risks a worry
• 06: Afinitor (everolimus) for advanced kidney cancer, approved by US FDA
• 03: Lundbeck’s schizophrenia drug Serdolect could lead to sudden cardiac death, fears USFDA
• 03: Polio Prevention in India: Can India be polio-free by 2009?
• 03: Hepatitis C in India – An emerging scourge
• 02: Murtaza Khorakiwala is new MD of Wockhardt, Hozaifa new Executive Director
• 02: Habil Khorakiwala resigns as Wockhardt managing director
• 01: Polypill cuts cardio-vascular diseases by half in Indian patients (brand name Polycap)

March 2009

• 26: Compulsory Sputum TB test in India for coughs lasting over 2 weeks
• 25: Novartis’ dengue drug to undergo human studies
• 23: Oral Recosulin insulin spray hits Indian market
• 23: Pharma jobs in India: MNCs on a hiring spree in India
• 20: Weight loss drug Rimonabant faces ban in India
• 13: cGMP regulations in India to be diluted?
• 12: Public Sector Drug Manufacturing companies in India – Briefs
• 06: Curious case of India’s`public’ drug makers
• 04: 1676 errors in 15 Ranbaxy filings: US FDA audit