Pharma & Health News Top Stories Today – HealthIndia played key role in drugs manufacturing, vaccine development during Covid pandemic: WHO chief scientist 06/06/2023The third G20 Health Working Group meeting is being held in Hyderabad from June 4 to 6. It focuses on three priorities in the health track. One of the priorities is health emergency prevention, preparedness and response with a focus on antimicrobial resistance and the One Health framework.India a prime example of successfully growing domestic pharma industry: UNICEF official 06/06/2023Manufacturing of medical countermeasures needs to be geographically diversified to ensure resilience against global shocks, reduced lead times during an outbreak, and increase overall regional and global health security.IVF clinic to pay Rs 1L for damaged embryos 06/06/2023The complainant said four embryos had been kept frozen for nearly five years. The embryo implant seemed to have been delayed owing to COVID.MR-aided radiation technology to alleviate cancer treatment burden in India: GlobalData 06/06/2023MR-Linac is a new-age cancer treatment device aided with a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. This device focuses on radiating targeted organs with 3-dimensional detailing without damaging associated tissues, thereby offering safer radiation therapy to patients.Study finds how virtual blood vessel technology improves heart disease care 06/06/2023The research team discovered that integrating the VIRTUHeartTM technology with clinicians treating heart attack patients would have improved the management of more than 20 per cent of patients.Novavax exec says its new COVID shot should work against variants on the rise 06/06/2023Protein-based vaccines like Novavax's take longer to produce than the messenger RNA-based (mRNA) versions made by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, this year it had begun producing a version of the vaccine to target the currently dominant XBB.1.5 variant of the virus at commercial scale.Active COVID cases in country dip to 3,001 06/06/2023The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.81 per cent.India committed to minimise digital divide: VK Paul at G20’s 3rd HWG Meeting 05/06/2023The member (Health), NITI Aayog VK Paul stated that India's digital infrastructure and capabilities are enablers of global economic growth and human development. Emphasised that by promoting digital solutions and innovation to aid universal health coverage, the digital divide can be bridged.Novo Nordisk in talks buy controlling stake in Biocorp 05/06/2023The Danish company said it had entered into exclusive negotiations with Bio Jag, Biocorp's main shareholder, for the purchase of its over 45 per cent stake in the French company at a price of 35.0 euros ($37.44) per share in cash. Certain minority shareholders, representing 19.0 per cent of the share capital of Biocorp, will […]Content posted against Serum Institute of India prima facie defamatory: Bombay HC 05/06/2023The SII filed a defamation suit in December 2022 seeking damages to the tune of Rs 100 crore from the two individuals and their organisations for allegedly posting erroneous content against the company and its COVID-19 vaccine Covishield. The high court on Monday in its interim order said it was of the prima facie view […] Pharma & Health NewsMallinckrodt considers second bankruptcy filing, other options 06/06/2023The drugmaker emerged from bankruptcy last year after winning court approval for a reorganisation plan that included a $1.7 billion settlement of the litigation.Novavax exec says its new COVID shot should work against variants on the rise 06/06/2023Protein-based vaccines like Novavax's take longer to produce than the messenger RNA-based (mRNA) versions made by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, this year it had begun producing a version of the vaccine to target the currently dominant XBB.1.5 variant of the virus at commercial scale.US FDA delays decision on SpringWorks Therapeutics' tumor treatment 05/06/2023The company said the FDA notified on Friday that it required more time to review additional analyses of previously submitted data that had been provided by SpringWorks in response to the health regulator's information requests.Cancer drugmakers rise as industry meet fuels investor interest 05/06/2023Shares of Day One surged 21.3 per cent to $16.54 premarket after the company's experimental therapy for a type of brain tumor significantly reduced tumor in 67 per cent of patients aged over 6 months to 25 years in a mid-stage study.Eyestem files for IND approval for its product to treat geographic atrophy 05/06/2023Dry AMD is the largest cause of incurable blindness in the world for patients over 50 years. 170 million people suffer from this disease around the world, 25 million of which are in India. These numbers will unfortunately increase in the coming decades as our population ages.Lupin launches HIV drug Darunavir in US 05/06/2023Darunavir tablets are indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infections. The drug is taken with other HIV drugs to help control HIV infection.Dr Reddy’s tocilizumab biosimilar candidate ‘DRL_TC’ meets primary, secondary endpoints in Phase I study 05/06/2023The company is developing the proposed tocilizumab biosimilar as both intravenous and subcutaneous formulations. The clinical trial also confirmed the similarity between DRL_TC and the EU and US reference products in terms of pharmacodynamic parameters and found no noteworthy differences in safety and immunogenicity across these three treatment groups.Biotechnology enabling quest for effective TB vaccine 05/06/2023Modern biotechnology has varied applications, especially when it comes to high-burden settings like India, where the current treatment regimen for TB takes a toll on the physical, social, economic, and mental state of an individual affected by this disease. The availability of a TB vaccine would significantly impact global health by reducing the incidence, mortality, […]Drug developer Servier's brain cancer drug slows tumor progession considerably 05/06/2023The drug, vorasidenib, delayed the growth of grade 2 glioma for a median of 27.7 months, more than twice compared to 11.1 months for patients who received a placebo. Grade 2 gliomas are progressive, malignant brain tumors, which are more common in adults but can also occur in children and teenagers.Pill halves risk of death in type of lung cancer 05/06/2023The results were unveiled in Chicago at the largest annual conference of cancer specialists, hosted by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Lung cancer is the form of the disease that causes the most deaths, with approximately 1.8 million fatalities every year worldwide.BioNTech's OncoC4 partnership off to good start with mid-stage trial results 02/06/2023The experimental drug, known as gotistobart, was tested on patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer which could no longer be helped by a group of so-called checkpoint inhibitor drugs such as Merck & Co's Keytruda.Novartis drug cuts recurrence risk by 25% in early-stage breast cancer 02/06/2023Kisqali was used in the trial together with standard endocrine therapy to treat a type of cancer that grows in response to hormones and it was compared to endocrine therapy alone. Novartis in March gave a brief preview of the Kisqali data, boosting its shares and growth prospects.Coherus BioSciences to launch Humira biosimilar at $995 per carton 02/06/2023Coherus has partnered with Billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban's pharmaceuticals startup to sell the biosimilar at $569.27 plus dispensing and shipping fees.FDA warns about safety risks of tailored weight-loss drugs 02/06/2023The FDA warned patients to refrain from using a compounded drug if an approved drug is available. Compounded drugs are created by combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient.Pfizer says its experimental antibiotic combo can treat some superbug infections 02/06/2023Deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs, have been on the rise globally, and health regulators have called for the development of newer treatments as resistance to older antibiotics grows.Gambia hires US law firm to consider action on toxic Indian cough syrup, minister says 02/06/2023At least 70 children in Gambia, most under 5 years old, died from acute kidney injury between June and October. Local doctors suspected cough syrups imported from India were the likely culprit, Reuters reported earlier this year, and tests by the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the presence of lethal toxins, sparking a global hunt […]CDSCO approves AstraZeneca's anti-liver cancer drug combination 02/06/2023The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) for the combination versus sorafenib and secondary endpoints included OS for durvalumab versus sorafenib, objective response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) for the combination and for Durvalumab alone. The trial showed a positive and significant benefit for OS for the combination of Tremelimumab & Durvalumab vs Sorafenib.J&J faces new trial over talc cancer claims, amid settlement push 01/06/2023J&J subsidiary LTL Management in April filed for bankruptcy in Trenton, New Jersey proposing to pay $8.9 billion to settle more than 38,000 lawsuits, and prevent new cases from coming forward in the future.Venus Remedies gets marketing authorisation from Saudi Arabia for chemotherapy drug Docetaxel 01/06/2023The demand for Docetaxel has been steadily increasing the world over with the rising incidence of breast, prostate, stomach and non-small cell lung cancers, for which, this chemotherapy drug is used as a first line of treatment. Docetaxel-based treatment has particularly improved the survival rate among men in castration-sensitive prostate cancersRoche looking to sell or shut down California biologic drug plant 01/06/2023Roche confirmed the divestiture plan in a statement,but did not address the potential closing of the plant or its timeline. The company said it does not expect to need the very large volumes of the medicines the plant provides, and large-scale production will be done in one of the company's newer plants. WHO newsSeventy-sixth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 30 May 2023 30/05/2023WHO’s annual assembly ends with agreement on funding, and array of health topicsWHO’s 76th health assembly closed today, having addressed a vast array of issues, including behavioural sciences; best buys for non-communicable diseases; diagnostics; disabilities; drowning prevention; emergency, critical and operative care; food micronutrients; indigenous health; infection prevention and control; maternal and child health; medical […]Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 29 May 2023 29/05/2023Landmark resolution for strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ health globallyThe World Health Assembly today approved an unprecedented resolution on the health of Indigenous Peoples, which requests the Director-General to develop a global action plan for the health of indigenous peoples and to present it to the Seventy-ninth World Health Assembly in 2026.Indigenous Peoples, although representing diverse population […]Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 27 May 2023 27/05/2023First global strategy on infection prevention and controlThe World Health Assembly agreed today on the first-ever global strategy on infection prevention and control (IPC), which builds on almost two decades of efforts led by WHO and partners. The strategy provides Member States with strategic directions to substantially reduce the ongoing risk of health care-associated infections […]Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 26 May 2023 26/05/2023Gearing up for a historic UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health CoverageMember States expressed alarm that millions of people cannot access life-saving and health-enhancing interventions. Out-of-pocket spending on health catastrophically affects over 1 billion people, pushing hundreds of millions of people into extreme poverty. The situation has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic.In response, Member […]Awards for outstanding contributions to public health presented during the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly 26/05/2023During a moving ceremony at the Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly in Geneva, awards were presented to persons and institutions from around the world for their outstanding contributions to public health.WHO and Republic of Korea sign landmark agreement to boost biomanufacturing capacity 26/05/2023WHO and the Republic of Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a global training hub in biomanufacturing. This global training centre will serve all low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to produce biologicals, such as vaccines, insulin, monoclonal antibodies, and cancer medicines.Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 25 May 2023 25/05/2023Progress and challenges in women’s, children’s and adolescent healthThe World Health Assembly delegates in Committee A discussed progress against the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent Health (2016-2030). During the discussion, which took place over two days, drawing comments from a high number of Member States, the delegates strongly reiterated their commitment to the Strategy […]Seventy-sixth World Health Assembly – Daily update: 24 May 2023 24/05/2023Work continues to strengthen preparedness and response for health emergenciesToday at the World Health Assembly, delegates in Committee A concluded discussions on Item 14 and parts of Item 15, noting the reports under these items, voting on two proposals, and agreeing to defer another for later in the week. The WHO Secretariat responded to comments and […]WHO urges governments to stop subsidizing life-threatening tobacco crops 24/05/2023On World No Tobacco Day, WHO urges governments to stop subsidizing tobacco farming and support more sustainable crops that could feed millions.FIFA and WHO extend collaboration to promote health through football 24/05/2023FIFA and WHO have agreed to extend their collaboration and to continue to use the power of football to promote healthy lifestyles and equal access to health services worldwide.
