Bio Spectrum Magazine - BioSpectrum India April 2025

In this issue

RIPPLE EFFECT of Cancer Drug Duty Cuts
To ease the financial strain on patients, the Union Budget 2025-26 has removed Basic
Customs Duty (BCD) on 36 life-saving drugs used for cancer, rare diseases, and chronic conditions. This move is expected to make essential treatments more affordable by lowering overall costs. However, the real question remains: will this truly reduce the financial burden on patients? As prices decrease, what effects will this have on pharmaceutical companies, particularly in terms of sales and competition? Most importantly, how will local players adapt to these changes?

Trump's Tariff Tactics

The Indo-US trade turbulence triggered by US President Donald Trump's repeated statements over reciprocal trade tariffs continues to be a cause for concern.

2 mins

CDSCO approves AstraZeneca to import SZC for treatment of Hyperkalaemia in adults

AstraZeneca Pharma India Limited has received permission from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Directorate General of Health Services, Government of India to import pharmaceutical formulations of new drug for sale or distribution for Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) powder - oral suspension 5g and 10g.

1 min

ICMR publishes addendum to ethical requirements for research in integrative medicine

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published an addendum to the ICMR National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research Involving Human Participants (2017) to provide a structured ethical framework for Research in Integrative Medicine (RIM).

1 min

ALIMCO sets up first auxiliary production centre in Tripura to boost assistive device manufacturing

In a landmark step towards enhancing accessibility and service delivery for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and Senior Citizens in the North-East region, Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a PSU under Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is set to establish its first Auxiliary Production Centre (AAPC) at Purba Laxmibill, Sepahijala district, Tripura.

1 min

I-STEM launches 'One District, Minimum One Equipment' project

I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology, and Engineering facilities Map), an initiative from the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, is launching ‘One District, One Equipment’ to ensure that every district in the country has access to scientific equipment.

1 min

Senores Pharmaceuticals acquires 14 ANDAs from Dr. Reddy's Laboratories

Ahmedabad-based Senores Pharmaceuticals Limited (SPL), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Senores Pharmaceuticals, Inc., USA (SPI), has signed agreements to acquire a basket of 14 Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) from Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and its applicable affiliates.

1 min

Motilal Oswal Alternates invests Rs 460 Cr in Megafine Pharma

Motilal Oswal Alternate Investment Advisors Private Limited (MO Alts) has agreed to invest upto Rs 460 crore for a majority stake in Mega Fine Pharma Private Limited.

1 min

KKR acquires controlling stake in Healthcare Global Enterprises for 400 M

KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Bengaluru-based Healthcare Global Enterprises have announced the signing of definitive agreements with CVC, a leading global private markets manager, under which funds managed by KKR will become the largest shareholder in HCG and assume sole control of HCG’s operations.

1 min

Biocon Biologics and Civica collaborate to expand insulin Aspart access in US

Bengaluru-based Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a fully integrated global biosimilars company and subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, and Civica, Inc., a not-for-profit generic drug and pharmaceutical company founded in 2018 to address and resolve life-saving drug shortages and affordability, have announced a strategic collaboration agreement to expand access and affordability of Insulin Aspart in the United States (US).

1 min

TCS partners with Danish Academy of Technical Sciences to combat dengue through technology

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has collaborated with the Echo Network, a global social innovation initiative hosted by the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences (ATV), to combat outbreaks of dengue fever and other viral diseases.

1 min

Global companies to open new centres across life sciences and tech sectors in Hyderabad

A series of announcements were made by global companies at the 22nd edition of BioAsia 2025, Asia’s largest life sciences and healthcare conference organized by the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana on the theme ‘Catalysts of Change – Expanding Global Healthcare Frontiers, Transforming Healthcare with Innovation, Collaboration and Progress’.

1 min

Wipro GE Healthcare launches AI enabled ultrasound system Versana Premier R3

Wipro GE Healthcare has announced the launch of the Versana Premier R3, an advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled ultrasound system designed to enhance clinical efficiency and accuracy, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes.

1 min

VeGen Labs secures BIRAC funding of Rs 3.76 Cr to advance KRAS inhibitor

Hyderabad-based biotechnology startup VeGen Labs LLP has been awarded Rs 3.765 crore Royalty-based financial support from Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Government of India enterprise set-up by Department of Biotechnology.

1 min

Genefitletics unveils Agegorithm to measure biological age

Delhi-based startup Genefitletics has launched Agegorithm, a machine learning driven human biology model that quantifies biology at molecular & cellular level to measure biological age.

1 min

Salubrious Technologies launches new digital platform to connect doctors with patients

India’s healthcare system is at a crossroads, with digital transformation accelerating, yet critical gaps in accessibility and efficiency still persisting.

1 min

CrisprBits develops PathCrisp for early detection of antibiotic resistance

Bengaluru-based biotechnology startup CrisprBits has developed PathCrisp, a platform for CRISPR-based molecular diagnostics for early detection of antibiotic resistance in hospital-acquired infections.

1 min

WHO releases first technical brief on Encephalitis

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Encephalitis International have launched a critical Technical Brief on Encephalitis in London, which identified encephalitis (infectious and autoimmune) as an increasing global threat making it an urgent public health priority.

1 min

WHO announces new collaborating centre on AI for health governance

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands as a WHO Collaborating Centre on artificial intelligence (AI) for health governance.

1 min

RIPPLE EFFECT of Cancer Drug Duty Cuts

To ease the financial strain on patients, the Union Budget 2025-26 has removed Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on 36 life-saving drugs used for cancer, rare diseases, and chronic conditions. This move is expected to make essential treatments more affordable by lowering overall costs. However, the real question remains: will this truly reduce the financial burden on patients? As prices decrease, what effects will this have on pharmaceutical companies, particularly in terms of sales and competition? Most importantly, how will local players adapt to these changes? Let's find out.

8 mins

Industry Leaders Drive CRDMO Reform, Unite Under IPSO for a Transformational Leap

Due to lack of a clear and unified industry definition and slowing progress, the CRDMO industry leaders joined hands and formed Innovative Pharmaceutical Services Organization (IPSO) at the recently concluded BioAsia-2025 to create a strategic blueprint—a roadmap to define the CRDMO sector and position India as a global leader in biopharma outsourcing.

7 mins

How Indian Pharma Prepared.to Mitigate US Tariffs...!

India, known as the pharmacy of the world, has an upper hand when it comes to facing the US tariff war. Indian pharmaceutical companies supply nearly 47 per cent of the generic medicines for the American patients and contribute significantly to the country's healthcare savings. Imposing a 25 per cent or more tariff on Indian pharma companies can be detrimental for the US administration. More so, a reciprocal tariff by the Indian government can add to the woes of the US. However, Indian companies should take a note of the tariff and take proactive steps to be safe from high tariffs.

7 mins

"CSIR's strategic priorities will focus on indigenisation, healthcare innovation, and bio-based economic growth"

National Science Day is celebrated every year on February 28 to spread the message of the importance of science and its application in the country.

5 mins

"We aim to position India as a leader in personalised medicine and drive future innovations"

The landscape of cell and gene therapy (CGT) in India is rapidly evolving, with significant advancements poised to revolutionise patient care.

5 mins

"It's important for healthcare.startups in India to recognise the price sensitiveness of the market"

Chandigarh-based startup RNT Health, recognised for its groundbreaking innovations, including the recent US FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for an oesophageal cancer detection tool, has launched its Automated Endoscopy Report Generation software to streamline manual reporting workflows in endoscopy suites.

4 mins

"We plan to establish a CoE in medtech and launch a bio-innovation acceleration programme in 2025"

Karnataka State Cabinet has recently approved funding allocations of over Rs 350 crore for technology and innovation development across the state, which includes seed funding for startups.

2 mins

"Only the anonymised summary of clinical variants in the BCGA is accessible to clinicians"

IT-Madras embarked on an initiative to build India's Cancer Genome Database, which can completely transform cancer research in India.

2 mins

Accelerating Pharma Innovation: Leveraging Virtualisation for Compliance and Efficiency in the Age of DPDP

The pharmaceutical sector is moving toward a digital-first future, and virtualisation will be the foundation of safe and legal operations.

5 mins

Creating a Future Ready Pharma QC and Microbiology Ecosystem

According to the India Skills Report, the pharma industry had a high skill gap in quality control (QC) and other critical areas, with an employability rate of 37 per cent, far lower than the 46 per cent national average.

5 mins

"Implementation of Rapid Microbiological Methods will play a vital role in contributing to the Global Health for drugs"

The inaugural BioLuminescence 2025 event by Merck took place in Ahmedabad on February 20, serving as a pivotal platform to enhance engagement with regulatory bodies, key opinion leaders, and stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry.

5 mins

Vydehi Instituteof Medical Sciencesand Research Centreto expand access to robotic-assisted surgery

Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, a leading institution in multi-speciality tertiary care, has joined hands with Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of roboticassisted surgery (RAS), to introduce resident surgeons to robotic-assisted surgical technology through the Intuitive Robotic Onboarding Programme and Education (I-ROPE).

1 min

IIT-M Pravartak partners with Agilisium to accelerate research in life sciences and healthcare

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) Pravartak Technologies Foundation has entered into a strategic partnership with Agilisium, a leading data innovation partner for life sciences companies, to accelerate research in life sciences and healthcare endeavours.

1 min

Paras Health elevates Vineet Aggarwal to Group COO

Paras Health, based in Gurugram, has announced the elevation of Vineet Aggarwal to Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO), effective immediately.

1 min

Eris Lifesciences appoints Murari Ranganathan to spearhead Cardiometabolic Business

Eris Lifesciences Limited, a leading Indian branded formulations manufacturing company has appointed Murari Ranganathan as President, of Cardiometabolic Business.

1 min

Alvarez & Marsal strengthens healthcare & life sciences practice with appointment of Akash Kedia as MD

Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) India has announced the appointment of Akash Kedia as Managing Director (MD) within its Life Sciences Business Transformation Services practice.

1 min

Practo ropes in Jagnoor Singh as COO to drive strategic growth

Practo has announced the appointment of Jagnoor Singh as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This appointment supports Practo's vision of improving health outcomes while building a profitable, innovative, and user-focused business.

1 min

SMT names Bhargav Kotadia as CEO, and Jose Calle Gordo as Chairman

Sahajanand Medical Technologies (SMT), a global leader in cardiovascular medical devices, has announced the appointment of Bhargav Kotadia as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Jose Calle Gordo as the Chairman effective April 1, 2025.

1 min

Scientists at IISc tweak cancer cell response to ultrasound treatment

Cells have surface receptors called integrins that bind to repetitive domains present on the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells, allowing them to grow and spread.

1 min

NIT Rourkela develops AI-powered model to improve blood sugar predictions for diabetes management

A research team at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI)driven approach to improve blood sugar predictions for people with diabetes.

1 min

Bruker introduces X4 POSEIDON advanced X-ray microscope for scientific applications

American manufacturer of scientific instruments Bruker Corporation has announced the launch of the new X4 POSEIDON, a high-performance 3D X-ray microscope (XRM) using micro-Computed Tomography (microCT).

1 min

Parse Biosciences plans to release single cell chromatin accessibility products

The US-based Parse Biosciences, the leader in accessible and scalable single cell sequencing, has affirmed plans to proceed with the development and future release of their Evercode single-cell chromatin products.

1 min

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Bio Spectrum Magazine Description:

India's leading publication that covers the business of bio-technology. With comprehensive analyses of policy issues, products and services across the bio-pharma, bio-informatics, bio-infrastructure and bio-agriculture segments, it is the industry's most authoritative source of information.