Biotechnology

Big Pharma's bet on China biotech a rare trade bright spot amid tensions

Chinese biomedical research is on the cusp of a breakthrough just as the industry starts to face serious headwinds

Agri biotech firm BioPrime raises $6mn in Series A funding led by Edaphon

Startup founded in 2016 say it will use the investment for crop protection research, products

Need innovation-driven value creation in biotech: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on Thursday called for more investment in research and development to drive innovation and foster culture of intellectual property. She highlighted how the country, already the world's largest exporter of generics and a major player in vaccine production, can achieve greater value by nurturing innovation. Mazumdar-Shaw called for a shift in focus toward value creation through innovation. "India ranks 14th in terms of value in the global pharma landscape. We need to invest in R&D and foster a culture of intellectual property to capture greater value," she said. Addressing a session during the Global Bio-India 2024 event, she positioned the country as a future global leader in biosciences and innovation. Mazumdar-Shaw emphasized India's unique advantages in becoming a global bio-innovation hub, citing the nation's rich scientific talent, robust technological capabilities, and entrepreneurial drive. "Biology is not only the most exciting and ...

Investors betting on India, Korea to fill gaps from US Biosecure Act

The Biosecure Act would restrict federally funded medical providers from contracting with a select group of Chinese biotech companies

Govt gives nod to BioE3 policy, Vigyan Dhara scheme to foster R&D

The Union Cabinet on Saturday approved the 'BioE3' (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy for fostering high-performance biomanufacturing of the Department of Biotechnology. According to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the BioE3 policy seeks to include innovation-driven support for research and development and entrepreneurship across thematic sectors. This will accelerate technology development and commercialisation by establishing biomanufacturing and bio-AI hubs and biofoundry, he said. Along with prioritising regenerative bioeconomy models of green growth, this policy will facilitate the expansion of India's skilled workforce and provide a surge in job creation. An official statement said, the policy will further strengthen the government's initiatives such as a Net Zero' carbon economy and Lifestyle for Environment' and will steer India on the path of accelerated Green Growth' by promoting a Circular Bioeconomy'. "The BioE3 Polic

Zydus Lifesciences to have 50% stake in Sterling Biotech from Perfect Day

Zydus Lifesciences on Saturday said it has inked a pact with Perfect Day Inc to acquire 50 per cent stake in Sterling Biotech. As part of the deal, Perfect Day Inc, a Temasek portfolio company, will sell its 50 per cent shareholding in Sterling Biotech for an undisclosed amount. Post the transaction, Sterling Biotech will become a 50:50 joint venture with equal representation on the Board, Zydus Lifesciences said in a statement. Financial details of the deal were not shared. The JV will establish a manufacturing facility to manufacture fermented animal-free protein to cater to the global markets, it added. The acquisition also marks Zydus' foray into specialised biotech products for health and nutrition, specifically catering to consumers who prefer animal-free protein or suffer from lactose intolerance, the Gujarat-based firm said. Perfect Day's precision-fermented protein is found in ice creams, cream cheese, sports nutrition products, and baked goods with high functionality ..

US-based Hedge fund Shah Capital urges Novavax board shake-up: Report

The hedge fund called for Suresh Katta and Venkat Peri, who are chief executives of other biotech firms, to be nominated for the independent board roles

Bharat Biotech, Bilthoven Biologicals collaborate for oral polio vaccines

Bilthoven Biologicals will produce the vaccines for distribution in India and worldwide

IIL invests Rs 700 cr in new vaccine plant to combat livestock disease

Equipped with a BSL3 (biosafety level) facility for drug substance production and a Fill-Finish capability for final vaccine products, the unit will focus on combating two major livestock diseases

Students clearing 10+2 without biology still eligible to appear for NEET

New National Medical Commission guidelines allow candidates passing 10+2 with physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and english are now eligible for NEET-UG

San Diego-based biotech company Illumina bets on India for growth

While Illumina is reducing its workforce in the US, it plans to hire in India, where it currently employs only 30 people

Pfizer's proposed $43 bn takeover of Seagen faces EU investigation

If the takeover goes through, Seagen's portfolio would double Pfizer's pipeline of early-stage experimental cancer therapies, Pfizer has said

Insulin maker GeneSys to invest $50-60 mn to set up plant in Hyderabad

Biotechnology company GeneSys Biologics Pvt Ltd is planning to invest USD 50-60 million to set up a new large-scale recombinant bulk manufacturing facility in Genome Valley here for the production of insulin analogues. The insulin analogues (medical insulin that are altered forms of the human hormone insulin) will be produced in the recombinant bulk manufacturing facility in which purified bulk insulin will be derived through fermentation. An official press release said the Hyderabad-based company has already invested approximately USD 50 million in its Genome Valley plant. Telangana IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao expressed delight over the expansion plans of GeneSys saying it will not only contribute to the growth of Hyderabad's biotech sector but also facilitate the company's ongoing collaboration with US-based Civica Rx. GeneSys has partnered with Civica Rx, a US non-profit generic drug company, to manufacture and distribute affordable insulin. The minister congratulat

COP15 adopts biodiversity reversal plan to save 30% of land, water by 2030

Montreal deal also aims to provide critical financing to developing world; draft calls for raising $200 billion by 2030 for biodiversity, with a plan that could provide another $500 billion

Biocon starts new clinical study to evaluate efficacy of Itolizumab

Biotechnology major Biocon on Wednesday said it has initiated a clinical study in collaboration with Equillium Inc to evaluate efficacy of Itolizumab in patients with Ulcerative Colitis. This is a phase two randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo and active-controlled (adalimumab), two treatment period study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Itolizumab for the induction of remission in biologics naive patients with moderate to severely active Ulcerative Colitis (UC), Biocon said in a statement. Having obtained approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the study will cover several tertiary hospitals specialised in handling UC cases, it added. The first patient who intended to participate in the study was screened on December 1, 2022, the company said. "The commencement of the Phase two clinical study, that will determine its efficacy for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis, is an important step forward in our efforts to bring its benefit to patients

FSSAI proposes regulations for genetically modified food: Details here

FSSAI has come out with draft regulations for genetically modified food, proposing mandatory prior approval from the regulator to manufacture, sell and import food or ingredients produced from genetically-modified organisms. The proposed Food Safety and Standards (Genetically Modified Foods) Regulations, 2022 will apply to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) intended for food use, as per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The regulations, once implemented, will also be applicable to food ingredients produced from GMOs that contain modified DNA as well as for food ingredients produced from GMOs that do not contain modified DNA but includes ingredients/additives/processing aids derived from GMOs. GMO means any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. "No person shall manufacture, pack, store, sell, market or otherwise distribute or import any food or food ingredient produced from

Biotech firm Bharat Serums & Vaccines working to reduce import dependence

Firm is develop recombinant products in hormones, eyes acquisitions in South East Asia

Years after Bt cotton, GEAC clears environmental release of GM mustard

First crop to get such recommendation since Bt cotton in years, say experts

New Covid variants spreading across the globe: what are the risk?

Amid the surge in the new and recombinant variants, scientists across the world are now watching out for variants which could turn into variants of concern soon

And now, a seaweed-based nutraceutical cure for fatty liver disease

Pre-clinical trials show no evidence of side effects in the product, which is the ninth such to be developed from marine organisms by Kochi-based CMFRI