a vaccine against malaria, responsible for over a million deaths in the world annually, has shown some promise in tackling the disease in Africa. A study conducted in Mozambique showed that

lipitor patent revoked: Pfizer Inc said on October 29 a German court had revoked the drugmaker's patent covering the active ingredient in its blockbuster cholesterol drug Lipitor. The decision

rbx11160, the much-touted first anti-malarial drug developed by drug major Ranbaxy's public-private partnership, will not be out until 2011. The drug may also not be available at a price the poor can afford.

Pharmaceutical giants Merck and GlaxoSmithKline have developed two vaccines that they promise will eradicate cervical cancer. Soon after the companies announced their products in mid-2006, public

Novartis, don't lose heart. There'll be more Glivec-like patents to fight and, hopefully, win. While India may not have the best patents laws

the verdict is heavy on symbolism. The Madras High Court dismissed a petition by pharmaceutical giant Novartis challenging section 3d of the Indian Patent (Amendments) Act 2005. Human rights groups

Attempts to patent inappropriate innovations in the country have met with opposition. In May 2006, drug major Glaxo filed a patent application in Kolkata for hiv drug Combivir, which was a combination of Lamivudine and Zidovudine. The company withdrew the application following opposition from human rights organisations like the Indian Network for people living with HIV/AIDS and the Manipur Network of Positive People.