In this issue

Technology Adding Fuel To Covid19

The pressure on the healthcare sector to provide a solution for the COVID-19 pandemic is massive. As a result, the life sciences sector is adopting new technologies to quickly devise a way out to beat this crisis. Many companies and academic institutions in India are moving headfirst in this direction with support from the technology sector both locally and globally. Technology adoption is indeed playing a key role in better understanding and addressing the crisis with the right amount of fuel being added by the tech giants.

A case of lost credibility?

The revelation was not merely shocking but was hitting the core of confidence built up among the professionals over the years by ‘The Lancet’ and the ‘New England Journal of Medicine’. The editors of the two prestigious medical journals appeared to have expressed their exasperation over the pressure put by pharma companies. They seemed to have used the word ‘criminal’ to describe the erosion of science in the process.

3 mins

Mylan receives DCGI approval for TB drug pretomanid

Mylan, a global pharmaceutical company, recently announced that the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the anti-tuberculosis drug pretomanid for conditional access under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), making India the second country in the world to provide regulatory approval for this product.

1 min

Gennova develops mRNA vaccine against COVID-19

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has facilitated the establishment of the first-of-its-kind mRNA based vaccine manufacturing platform in India.

1 min

Abbott joins hands with 1mg for CGM solutions

In a move to expand access and empower Indian patients to take charge of their health, American multinational medical devices and healthcare company Abbott and Gurugram based online pharmacy and healthcare startup 1mg have recently announced their collaboration to make Abbott’s continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products available online, including its professional flash glucose monitoring system, FreeStyle Libre Pro.

1 min

Technology Adding Fuel To Drive Out Covid-19

The pressure on the healthcare sector to provide a solution for the COVID-19 pandemic is massive. As a result, the life sciences sector is adopting new technologies to quickly devise a way out to beat this crisis. Many companies and academic institutions in India are moving headfirst in this direction with support from the technology sector both locally and globally. Technology adoption is indeed playing a key role in better understanding and addressing the crisis with the right amount of fuel being added by the tech giants.

10+ mins

INDIA INCHING TO BE GLOBAL PPE HUB

According to a report by Invest India, the domestic PPE industry grew 56 times in a span of 60 days. On March 1, two days before the World Health Organization (WHO) spoke of a global shortage of PPE, India had no PPE coveralls suitable for COVID-19. But a clear roadmap and prompt assistance by the Ministry of Textiles and all its allied bodies, ensured India becomes a world leader in PPE manufacturing amid a global shortage.

6 mins

“Biotech will get woven into more diverse science education programmes”

Aiming to make India a global knowledge superpower, the government has recently announced the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Being the first education policy of the 21st century, it is set to address the many growing developmental imperatives of our country. And out of these many imperatives, bridging the skill gaps in the biotechnology industry is one of them. To explore how NEP 2020 can benefit the biotechnology/life sciences (BT/LS) education in India, BioSpectrum interacted with Dr Ramgopal Rao S, Academic Manager, Biocon Academy, Bengaluru. Edited excerpts;

2 mins

“We aim to make molecular diagnostics based on RT-PCR technology mainstream in India”

Backed by Serum Institute of India, Pune based startup Mylab Discovery Solutions is aggressively launching new products in the diagnostic testing space to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic. After raising funds from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and few private investors, the Mylab team has recently developed a fully-automated sample to-PCR-ready system for molecular diagnostics, which is a first in India. Founded in 2016, it is the first company in Asia and second company worldwide to develop and manufacture FDA approved ID-NAT kits for accurate detection of HIV, HBV, HCV and other infections. BioSpectrum India got in touch with Hasmukh Rawal, Managing Director, Mylab Discovery Solutions to find out more about the initiatives being taken up by the startup to combat COVID-19. Edited excerpts;

4 mins

Reviving trends for healthcare economy

While COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the larger economy, the healthcare sector is no exception. With healthcare sector experiencing operating loss to the tune of Rs 14,000 to 24,000 crore for the first quarter with private sector reporting a 90 per cent drop in revenue, it has been a roller-coaster of a ride so far.

3 mins

SCHOTT AG delivers vials to package 2 Bn doses of COVID-19 vaccines

German glass manufacturing giant SCHOTT AG is supporting the world’s fight against COVID-19 with vials capable of holding up to 2 billion vaccination doses.

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.