Industry News

Biocon Biologics Ltd., a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with its partner Viatris Inc.  . Accordingly, Biocon Biologics Ltd will acquire Viatris’ biosimilars business to create a unique fully integrated global biosimilars enterprise. Viatris will receive consideration of up to USD 3.335 billion, including cash up to USD 2.335 billion and Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares  in BBL, valued at USD 1 billion.

A large number of Indian made medicinal products illegally imported in Switzerland were seized by Swissmedic and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security. These contained COVID-19 medicines like ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine or antibiotics and erectile stimulants from India.

Swiss government agency along with customs had secured 9,421 packages containing illegally imported medicinal products during 2021. This is a significant increase on the previous year, when there were 6,733 such packages.

Galderma and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced they have signed a definitive agreement for Taro to acquire Alchemee, formerly The Proactiv Company (TPC), from Galderma. The agreement between Galderma and Taro includes Alchemee’s business and assets around the world, including the Proactiv® brand.

The Sistema Group company Binnopharm Group, one of the leading pharmaceutical production companies in Russia via its affiliate Joint Stock Company Alium, and Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd an integrated global pharmaceutical company, today announced the signing of a deal that will allow Binnopharm Group to acquire anti-bacterial medicines under the Ciprolet and Levolet brands from Dr. Reddys in Russia, Uzbekistan and Belarus. The portfolio includes various dosage forms such as tablets, solution for infusions and eye drops.

Strides Pharma Science Limited announced that its step-down wholly owned subsidiary, Strides Pharma Global Pte. Limited, Singapore, has received approval for Amantadine Hydrochloride Softgel Capsules USP, 100 mg from the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA). The product is bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to the Reference Listed Drug (RLD), Symmetrel Capsules, 100 mg, of Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc (Endo).

Novartis to get approval for import and marketing of Dabrafenib, anticancer medicine for additonal indication from CDSCO. Subject Expert committee recommends CDSCO for grant of permission to import and marketing of Dabrafenib capsules 50 mg and 75 mg.

Novartis presented their proposal for import and marketing of the drug Dabrafenib capsules 50 mg and 75 mg for an additional indication, along with justification for clinical trial waiver before the committee.

Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the company s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to expand the use of SOLOSEC® (secnidazole) in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) for female patients 12 years of age and older and in the treatment of trichomoniasis for all patients 12 years of age and older.

Novartis India has entered into an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with Dr. Reddys Laboratories for a few of its established medicines and it led to lay off 400 employees due to role redundancies.

Biopharmaceutical R&D continued at a record breaking pace in 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report, Global Trends in R&D Overview Through 2021, by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. The data show 5,500 new planned clinical trial starts occurred last year, a 14 percent increase over 2020.