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Bio Spectrum Magazine - February 2025

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In this issue

How India is Pulling In European Life Sciences Sector
When the world was struggling with COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, the partnership
between Indian and European organizations proved to be a historic accomplishment
in the field of global life sciences. It was able to deliver more than two billion doses
of the COVID-19 vaccine, which was developed by the University of Oxford and
AstraZeneca, both from the United Kingdom, and manufactured by Serum Institute
of India (SII) in India, to more than 170 countries starting in November 2020,
marking a significant milestone in the global pandemic response. India's economical
production in the biopharma industry allowed it to reach this significant milestone.
India's advantages, including cost-effective manufacturing, a skilled workforce, and
a growing but robust research ecosystem, are making it an attractive destination for
outsourcing and joint ventures. These collaborations have led to the development of
innovative healthcare solutions and have expanded market access for both Indian
and European firms. The India-Europe collaboration in life sciences has evolved into
a dynamic partnership fostering innovation, investment, and shared expertise. While
significant strides have been made in contract research, vaccine production, and
biosimilars, there remains potential for greater collaboration in new drug discovery
sciences. As European companies expand their R&D and manufacturing presence
in India, the mutual focus on academic research and healthcare resilience positions
this partnership as a global leader in life sciences innovation.

Health Ministry strengthens services and infrastructure in Assam

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda recently visited key healthcare facilities in Assam, including the Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Mangaldai District Civil Hospital, and AIIMS Guwahati, to inaugurate new initiatives and review ongoing healthcare projects aimed at enhancing medical services for the people of the region.

1 mins

CSIR and AIIMS in New Delhi sign MoU for collaborative research in healthcare domain

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed to provide a formal basis for initiating interaction between the two organisations to harness their respective strengths to advance medical research, enhance healthcare delivery, and tackle critical health challenges in India through the collaboration.

1 mins

Asia Healthcare Holdings receives additional $150 M investment from GIC

Asia Healthcare Holdings (AHH), the single specialty hospitals focused healthcare platform backed by GIC and TPG, has announced that GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, will invest an additional $150 million in AHH.

1 mins

Anthem Biosciences files DRHP for Rs 3,395 Cr IPO

Bengaluru-based Anthem Biosciences Limited, an innovation-driven and technology-focused Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CRDMO) with fully integrated operations spanning across drug discovery, development and manufacturing has filed the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with capital markets regulator, SEBI to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO).

1 mins

Aster DM Healthcare and Quality Care India ink definitive agreements for merger

AIIMS Delhi to invest over Rs 300 Cr in digital infrastructure Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising everything from patient care to health communication and All India Institutes Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, is investing over Rs 300 crore in digital infrastructure to ensure that every stakeholder, patients, doctors, and researchers benefits from this innovation, the premier institute's Director Dr M Srinivas said at a recently held event at AIIMS.

1 mins

Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospital commits Rs 200 Cr for Gujarat expansion

Maxivision Super Speciality Eye Hospital, one of India's leading eye care networks, is gearing up for a major expansion in Gujarat.

1 mins

AIIMS signs MoU with Wipro GE Healthcare to establish 'AI Health Innovations Hub'

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wipro GE Healthcare, a leading global provider of healthcare technologies, to establish an AI Health Innovations Hub.

1 mins

Mankind Pharma, Innovent Biologics to revolutionise cancer care with immunotherapy Sintilimab

Mankind Pharma and Innovent Biologics have announced a groundbreaking partnership to exclusively license and commercialise sintilimab, an advanced PD-1 immunotherapy, in the Indian market.

1 mins

BBC incurs Rs 152 Cr loss as 12 labs gutted in devastating fire

A massive fire broke out at the Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) on January 14 morning, causing extensive damage but fortunately resulting in no casualties.

3 mins

How India is Pulling In European Life Sciences Sector

The total global pharma market in calendar year 2023 was $1508 billion and is expected to touch $1544 billion in 2024 registering a growth of 2.4 per cent.

10+ mins

When can India become a global gateway for the medtech industry?

Over 70 per cent of innovations by Indian medical technology startups are powered by digital integration, driven by a convergence of factors accelerating the industry's growth, according to a recent report by EY. Additionally, government initiatives are playing a pivotal role in positioning India as a global medtech hub. And the growing US FDA approvals is providing the required recognition to Indian medical technologies. Would these developments eventually lead to import independence for the Indian medtech sector?

7 mins

"The ecosystem of Gujarat is ready to promote deep tech areas of biotech product development"

ujarat has more than 200 biotechnology Gamers and a thriving startup ecosystem that includes prominent R&D and educational institutes. Gujarat's biotech sector generates more than Rs 12000 crore revenue and serves as an established biomanufacturing hub. Playing a key role in this direction is the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission GSBTM) which has completed 20 years. The Government of Gujarat GoG) had established GSBTM in April 2004 under the Department of Science and Technology to facilitate the development of the biotech sector. In conversation with BioSpectrum, Manish Gurwani, Mission Director, Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission elaborates on how GSBTM’s latest biotechnology policy is transforming the sector in Gujarat. Edited excerpts:

6 mins

"Govt should facilitate low-interest loans or VC funding specifically for biopharma startups & small enterprises"

\"In a recent development, Nagpur-based biotech company GeNext Genomics (GNG) has joined -hands with Merck Life Science to support the Indian biotech system, particularly in the area of biomanufacturing, which is garnering more attention after the approval of the BioE3 policy.Supriya Kashikar, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, GeNext Genomics shares her views with BioSpectrum on the growth of biomanufacturing sector in India, and how the company plans to play a relevant role in this aspect.

4 mins

"Lack of population-specific genomic data is a significant challenge in the field of precision oncology"

Expanding its R&D capabilities to further enhance cancer detection and treatment efficacy, aligning with global efforts to revolutionise oncology care with the world observing World Cancer Day on February 4, Bengaluru-based startup 4baseCare has recently received a significant boost with Infosys investing Rs 8.3 crore to acquire a minority stake in the company. In conjunction with this, BioSpectrum took the opportunity to speak with Hitesh Goswami, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder, 4baseCare regarding their future plans and advancements in precision oncology.

4 mins

Remote diagnostics greatly influence the accessibility and quality of healthcare

The healthcare industry has undergone tremendous change thanks to remote diagnostics. These enable healthcare providers to provide diagnostic services to patients in even the most remote locations by utilising digital tools and telecommunication technologies. The accessibility and quality of healthcare will be significantly impacted by remote diagnostics, but to assure universal use, a few problems must be resolved.

4 mins

Attaining OpEx is crucial for maintaining sustainability and competitiveness

The pharmaceutical industry in India is at a critical juncture, full of enormous promise and substantial responsibilities. The stakes are great and the world stage is prepared. A continual improvement approach, supported by investments in talent, technology, and teamwork, is essential for success. Companies that want to prosper in this changing environment must address operational excellence (OpEx) issues, change supply chains, and promote an innovative culture.

4 mins

How AI Innovations at GCCs Solidifying India's Position in Global Life Sciences Industry

India's life sciences sector is undergoing a major transformation, led by the expansion of Global Capability Centres GCCs). These centres, which serve as strategic hubs for multinational companies in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare, are strengthening India's role in the global life sciences landscape. Currently, there are over 95 life sciences GCCs in India, employing approximately 280,000 professionals. By 2030, this number is projected to reach 160 GCCs and around 420,000 employees. Advancements in artificial intelligence AI) are central to this transformation, driving innovation across drug discovery and clinical research. India's life sciences GCCs have evolved from operational support centres to world-class R&D engines, leveraging India’s robust talent pool, advanced technology adoption, and cost advantages. These GCCs are driving the future of Al-powered drug discovery and clinical research. Let’s explore further.

4 mins

IIT-B joins hands with Tohoku University to offer MTech, PhD dual degree programmes

The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan's Tohoku University to launch the IIT Bombay-Tohoku University Joint Academic & Research Programme.

1 mins

DigiNerve introduces enhanced NEET SS preparation module in Paediatrics MD Course

DigiNerve, an innovative EdTech platform developed by the renowned Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, is slated to transform paediatric medical education with a strategic enhancement to its Paediatrics MD course.

1 mins

Zyla Health on-boards Rohit Boda as Advisor

Gurugram-based Zyla Health, a care management platform, has announced the onboarding of renowned industry leader, Rohit Boda, to the Board of Advisors.

1 mins

Dr Raghavan Varadarajan wins Tata Transformation Prize of Rs 2 Cr for RSV vaccine development

Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD., from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has won the Tata Transformation Prize, of Rs 2 crore (approximately $240,000), in the healthcare category.

1 mins

Amit Agrawal steps in as new Pharmaceuticals Secretary

Amit Agrawal, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India.

1 mins

Claypond Capital appoints Shravan Subramanyam to lead medtech platform

Claypond Capital, the family investment office of Dr Ranjan Pai, has announced the appointment of Dr Shravan Subramanyam as the head of its medical technology platform.

1 mins

Redcliffe Labs reinforces strategic leadership as Aditya Kandoi steps into CEO role, Dheeraj Jain as Chairman

Redcliffe Labs, a purpose-driven pan-India omnichannel diagnostics service provider, has announced a strategic leadership transition.

1 mins

International Diabetes Federation elects Dr V. Mohan as Honorary Fellow

Dr V. Mohan, renowned diabetologist and Chairman of Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre & Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, has been elected Honorary Fellow of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), one of the most prestigious recognitions in the global diabetes community.

1 mins

Innovative injectable hydrogel to offer targeted breast cancer therapy

In a multi-institutional research led by researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) and Bose Institute Kolkata, an advanced injectable hydrogel has been developed for localised cancer treatment.

1 mins

IIT Guwahati advances cholesterol & triglyceride detection with advanced nanotechnology

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) have developed an innovative approach to improve the detection of cholesterol and triglycerides by integrating Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) on the nanoscale objects.

1 mins

New method for detecting H. pylori can help dyspeptic patients in remote settings

Researchers at CSIR- Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB) have found a way to develop FELUDA as a point-of-care diagnostic service at a minimal cost for detection of H. pylori and its mutations in dyspeptic patients from rural areas of India, with minimal or no access to diagnostic laboratories.

1 mins

Nano-formulation of darkness hormone to serve as therapeutic solution for Parkinson's disease

Scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali have proved that nano-formulation of Melatonin, the hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness, showed improved antioxidative and neuroprotective properties and could be a potential therapeutic solution for Parkinson's disease (PD).

1 mins

Bio-Techne, Waters ink co-marketing agreement for biotherapeutic characterisation

American life sciences company Bio-Techne Corporation, a leader in automated platforms for biotherapeutic characterisation, has announced a co-marketing and co-promotion agreement with Waters Corporation aimed at expanding the reach of advanced biotherapeutic characterisation and development processes.

1 mins

Thermo Fisher introduces MagMax Sequential DNA/RNA kit to advance blood cancer research

US-based Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced the Applied Biosystems MagMAX Sequential DNA/RNA kit to enable clinical and translational researchers to conduct comprehensive DNA and RNA genomic analysis and streamline detection of genetic abnormalities found in haematological malignancies.

1 mins

Much Ado About A Nothing HMP Virus?

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), discovered in 2001, most commonly causing upper and lower respiratory tract infections in young children, and also a concern for elderly people and immune-compromised patients, has purportedly emerged as a seemingly new threat in some parts of the world, particularly China and India.

2 mins

Read all Stories from Bio Spectrum

Bio Spectrum Magazine Description:

Publisher: MM-Activ-Sci-Tech-Communication

Category: Business

Language: English

Frequency: Monthly

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.