Pharma News

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries has posted strong net profit growth of 70 per cent during the fourth quarter ended March 2015 to US$ 153 million from $90 million in the similar period of last year. Its net sales up by 30.5 per cent to $244 million from $187 million. With smart improvement in earnings, EPS worked out to $3.56 as against $2.10 in the last period. Its R&D expenses raised to $23.9 million from $13.1 million and selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses declined by 16.5 per cent to $22.2 million from $26.6 million.

Indoco Remedies, has posted its standalone net profit during the fourth quarter ended March 2015 to Rs.18.75 crore from Rs.18.55 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year due to higher R&D expenditure. Its R&D expenditure increased by 78.2 per cent to Rs.7.45 crore from Rs.4.18 crore. The company's standalone net sales increased by 13.8 per cent to Rs.211.59 crore from Rs.185.86 crore. Its EBIDTA moved up by 11.2 per cent to Rs.37.66 crore from Rs.33.88 crore. EPS remained almost same at Rs.2.03.  The board of directors has recommended equity dividend of 80 per cent i.e. Rs.1.60 per share for the year 2014-15.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved  Neupogen, a drug originally used to treat side effects of chemotherapy,is the first ever approved for the treatment of acute radiation injury and the approval came as a result of research performed by the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) scientists.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended extending the use of Imbruvica (ibrutinib) for treatment of patients with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia. The medicine is indicated for adults who have received at least one prior therapy or as a first line treatment for patients unsuitable for chemo-immunotherapy.

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Orphan Drug Designation to Aura Biosciences' drug AU-011 for the treatment of uveal melanoma. The FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation programme provides orphan status to drugs and biologics, which demonstrate promise for the diagnosis and/or treatment of rare diseases or conditions in the US.

Apollo White Dental launched 'HOLI-DENT' scheme to involve travellers who want dental treatment in India.

The Minister of Health & Family Welfare Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda successfully steered the proceedings of the 68th Session of the World Health Assembly in his capacity as its President. It was after a gap of 19 years that India assumed the Presidency of the World Health Assembly, the highest decision making body of the World Health Organisation. The 68th WHA took place in Geneva from 18-26 May 2015.

VTU Technology and Biomay, based in Vienna, the two leading Austrian biotechnology companies, entered into a licensing agreement for the production of recombinant allergens. VTU Technology, currently offering a very broad and versatile technology platform available for Pichia pastoris protein production.

MabSpace Biosciences Co., Ltd, a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and early development of antibody based therapeutics,  has signed a collaborative contract of a novel therapeutic antibody with Genor Biopharma Co. Ltd (GenorBio), the mAb division of Walvax Group, one of the leading therapeutic antibody development companies in China.