Pharma News

Novartis announced today that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved Cosentyx(TM) (secukinumab, formerly known as AIN457), for the treatment of both psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults who are not adequately responding to systemic therapies (except for biologics). This approval marks the first country approval for Cosentyx in the world and makes it the first interleukin-17A (IL-17A) inhibitor to receive regulatory approval in either of these indications in Japan.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd announced on 9th December that they have received the order of the Competition Commission of India (“CCI”) dated December 5, 2014(“Order”) by which CCI has approved the acquisition of Ranbaxy by Sun Pharma, subject to compliance with certain conditions.

Results of an early-stage clinical trial of two experimental vaccines against Ebola and Marburg viruses—the first to be completed in an African country—showed that they were safe and induced immune responses in healthy Ugandan adult volunteers.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Zerbaxa (ceftolozane/tazobactam), a new antibacterial drug product, to treat adults with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) and complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI).

Ibuprofen, a common over-the-counter drug used to relieve pain and fever, could hold the keys to a longer healthier life, according to a study by researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. Publishing in PLoS Genetics on December 18th, scientists showed that regular doses of ibuprofen extended the lifespan of yeast, worms and fruit flies.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) investigated a Pune based hospital after receiving compliant against hospital that they are performing unethical stem cell clinical trial and patients are highly charged for unapproved and illegal transplants.

In two new studies, international research teams including NIAID scientists describe how certain genetic mutations make malaria-causing parasites resistant to artemisinin, a key drug for treating the disease. The findings are published in the Dec. 11, 2014, online issue of Science.

Department of Health and Family Welfare proposes to implement a Central Sector Scheme for Strengthening the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO); and State Drug Regulatory System during the residual period of Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012 - 2017) at an estimated cost of Rs.900 crore and Rs.850 crore (excluding States’ share) respectively.

(Business Wire India); Tata Capital, the financial services arm of the Tata Group, as part of its Do Right initiative, concluded a first-of-its-kind Survey to identify the major challenges facing our country today. The “Tata Capital India4India” Survey was conducted online on the website – doright.in & saw voting from more than 5000 respondents across the country. The top five challenges that emerged as the most concerning for the Indian public were Basic Healthcare, Illiteracy, Child Rights, Women Empowerment and Food Scarcity.