Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have discovered a new molecule that, they say, could potentially lead to an anti-cancer drug, which may help reduce the dosage of current treatment methods like chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The molecule, aimed at killing cancer cells by blocking their DNA repair mechanism, was successful in removing tumours in mice during laboratory experiments, say the researchers.

The team is now evaluating offers to collaborate, including one from a US-based pharma company, for further research and clinical trials. Typically, the road to market for a new molecule can take at least a decade.

Its healthcare system crippled by international economic sanctions, Iran has asked India for help to procure life-saving drugs for patients battling critical illnesses in that country.

Tehran has put in an urgent request to New Delhi for drugs to treat lung and breast cancers; brain tumours; heart ailments; infections after kidney, heart and pancreas transplants; meningitis in HIV patients; arthritis; bronchitis and respiratory distress in newborns; and epilepsy, South Block sources told The Indian Express.

Pulls up Centre for failure to check malpractices by MNCs

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that until further orders all clinical trials on drugs will have to be conducted under the direct supervision of the Union Health Secretary to prevent illegal trials by pharmaceutical companies. A Bench of Justices R.M. Lodha and Anil R. Dave expressed serious concern over the menace caused by uncontrolled clinical trial of drugs on humans by multinational companies and pulled up the Centre for failing in its duty to control this menace and putting in place an effective mechanism.

Active against drug-resistant forms, the FDA-approved drug is a game changer

While there is a lot of hope and enthusiasm over the new tuberculosis drug, first in close to 50 years, health activists say the challenge for countries like India and treatment providers is devising new treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB that are shorter, and more tolerable for patients and effective. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the new TB drug bedaquiline, the first since 1963. The fact that the drug is active against drug-resistant forms of the disease makes it a potential game changer.

The Planning Commission has set a target for the pharmaceutical industry to reach $100 billion by 2020 and account for five per cent share of the global drug industry in the next five years.

Increasing the heat on Chinese drug firms exporting medicines to India, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is all set to open its first foreign drug inspection office in Beijing by March 1

Analysts say the new mechanism would impact revenues in the short term only

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is likely to see a dip in valuations in the near term as a result of the recent pricing policy that aims to intensify the regulatory hold over essential drugs. Profit of major drug makers, including that of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Pharma, Abbott, Cipla, Ranbaxy and Cadila could be hit the most. But, analysts are optimistic that the revenue impact might not last for more than 18 months to two years.

India’s vaccine manufacturing sector is set for massive export boost with the country’s national regulatory authority, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), passing the WHO’s tou

12 units from India are eligible for supplying vaccines to international bodies

In a major boost to the country’s private vaccine manufacturing pharmaceutical companies, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that India’s national regulatory authority — Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) — and its affiliated institutions meet the prescribed international standards.