Industry News

The NIHR has selected the University of Birmingham to run the National Collaborative for its Research Support Service (RSS) from 1 February 2024.

The RSS was launched on 1 October 2023. The service provides expert research design, methodological support, advice, and collaboration to all researchers in England throughout the pre- and post-application/research process, regardless of geographic location and research interest.

BioNTech SE a next-generation immunotherapy company pioneering novel therapies for cancer and other serious diseases, and Autolus Therapeutics plc a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation programmed T cell therapies, announced a strategic collaboration aimed at advancing both companies’ autologous CAR-T programs towards commercialization, pending regulatory authorizations. In connection with the strategic collaboration, the companies entered into a license and option agreement and a securities purchase agreement.

Novartis announced that it has entered into an agreement to make a voluntary public takeover offer to acquire MorphoSys AG, a Germany-based, global biopharmaceutical company developing innovative medicines in oncology.

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., a global innovation driven healthcare company announced that it has launched Relugolix under the brand name, Rexigo™. This is the first and only oral once-a-day therapy for testosterone suppression in patients with advanced prostate cancer in India. Though Relugolix was available in developed countries since the last four years, patients in India did not have access to it. With this launch, Zydus brings both access to a critical therapy and also makes it affordable at a cost of Rs.

Pfizer and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd have joined hands to launch abrocitinib, a first of its kind oral advanced systemic treatment for moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD), in India. Developed by Pfizer, abrocitinib has received marketing authorization from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and other regulatory agencies.

Medtech giant Siemens Healthineers has teamed up with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to launch a collaborative laboratory in Bangalore focused on AI in precision medicine. Healthineers will invest 10 million INR in the partnership over the next five years.

HPCI Exhibition & Conference 2024 was held on 18 and 19 January, 2024 at Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai. It was organised by ExpoNova Exhibitions & Conferences (India) Pvt. Ltd. It is the only event in India focused on raw materials and techniques for the formulation of cosmetic and cleaning products. It is indeed a place where industry meets, discovers new ingredient and technology, learns about various innovation. Companies from all over India as well as overseas participated and there was something for everyone.

Sanofi and Inhibrx, Inc. a publicly traded clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a broad pipeline of novel biologic therapeutic candidates, have entered into a definitive agreement under which Sanofi has agreed to acquire Inhibrx following the spin-off of non-INBRX-101 assets into New Inhibrx. INBRX-101 is a human recombinant protein that holds the promise of allowing Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) patients to achieve normalization of serum AAT levels with less frequent (monthly vs. weekly) dosing.

Sun Pharm and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.  announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement in which Sun Pharma, Taro’s controlling shareholder, has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares of Taro other than the shares already held by Sun Pharma or its affiliates for USD 43.00 per share in cash without interest.