January 2010

January 20, 2010 — Adding human monoclonal antibodies to antibiotics significantly reduces the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection, an infection with increasing incidence in the United States, Canada, and Europe, according to a study published in the January 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Lupin, a Mumbai-based mid-tier pharma company has said the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has cleared its Mandideep drug factory after inspections.

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers about a counterfeit and potentially harmful version of Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill kit).

The Mumbai-based Wockhardt Foundation has come forward to join hands with city based NGO, Sanjay Nirupam Helpline to serve the underserved sections of the society deprived of medical needs due to ignorance and lack of financial support. In what is termed out to be a path-breaking initiative, Wockhardt Foundation, an international not-for-profit organization which has so far diagnosed and administered more than 40 million patients through Mobile Medical Unit (Right To Vision & Mobile Health Reach Programmes).

Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL), the second largest pharma company in India with consolidated net sales of Rs 6790 crore, has incurred heavy net loss of Rs 521.7 crore during the third quarter ended December 2009 mainly on account of write down of goodwill amount of Rs 514.7 crore on consolidated basis (IFRS accounting standards). The decline in prices in Germany and significant fall in revenues in North America impacted the overall working adversely. The company achieved net profit of Rs 244.5 crore in the same period of last year.

Bangalore, Jan 19, 2010: The event, organized by the Vision Group of Biotechnology of the State of Karnataka will show case the immense potential of the country’s biotech industry which is at an inflection point, said Mrs Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who chairs the vision group. Mrs Mazumdar-Shaw unveiled the event details to the media in the city on Tuesday. She heads India’s second largest biotech company, Biocon.

Bangalore, Jan 19, 2009: Ranbaxy Laboratories announced the signing of Agreements with Biovel Lifesciences Private Limited, Bangalore, India, providing for the acquisition of product rights and a manufacturing facility, from Biovel. The proposed transaction will give Ranbaxy access to all of Biovel’s products, pipeline, IP, Know-How and manufacturing facility, located in Bangalore.

BioSpectrum was the first to report about Ranbaxy's acquisition of Biovel.

Modern day researchers have the unprecedented opportunity to understand basic cellular and molecular processes as well as their derangements in diseases in molecular terms often referred to as Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM). The objectives of CMM are to gain insights into human biology in health and disease at the molecular, cellular, and functional level. CMM focuses on basic cellular and molecular architecture, their involvement in biological processes, regulation of normal physiology any abnormal interaction patterns which leads to diseased condition.