Unraveling the Latest in Pharmaceutical Advancements

 Welcome back to Pharma Delta, your go-to source for the most recent updates and insights from the dynamic world of pharmaceuticals! In this episode, we'll be uncovering expansion plans, strategic collaborations, and counterfeiting of medicines and many more. Let's delve into the latest Pharma buzz:

1. AbbVie CEO Rick Gonzalez to step down, leaving a mixed legacy of Humira's pricing and patent strategies.

   

AbbVie CEO Rick Gonzalez announces his departure, leaving behind a mixed legacy defined by Humira's pricing and patent strategies. After more than a decade at the helm, AbbVie CEO Richard Gonzalez announced this week that he will resign in the summer, ending a tenure marked by the unparalleled ascent of the leading blockbuster Humira and a successful Allergan megamerger — as well as a string of controversies around patents and pricing.

After splitting off from healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories in 2013, Gonzalez led AbbVie to become one of the world's top pharmaceutical businesses. Gonzalez, who has worked at Abbott for three decades, is AbbVie's first and only CEO, and he will be succeeded by Robert Michael, the company's current COO.

 

2. Orchid Pharma's Milestone Achievement: USFDA Approval for Enmetazobactam

  

Orchid Pharma receives USFDA approval for Enmetazobactam, marking a significant milestone in its journey to provide innovative treatments for complicated urinary tract infections.

Exblifep (Cefepime and Enmetazobactam) is now approved as an injectable for the treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, in patients aged 18 and older.

Manish Dhanuk, MD of Orchid Pharma, stated that the drug was first found in 2008 and has required 16 years of struggle to bring to market.

According to the statement given by orchid, the product will be offered in the United States within the next several quarters.

Orchid claimed to be the first Indian company to develop a medicine that has acquired new drug approval from the US FDA.

 

3. Glenmark Pharma's Ryaltris Eyes USD 80 Million in Sales

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals anticipates significant revenue growth with its nasal spray Ryaltris, aiming to reach approximately USD 80 million in sales next year. Ryaltris  uptil now has been commercialised in 31 geographies around the globe.

Ryaltris is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children over the age of twelve.

The medication treats the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as stuffy nose, runny nose, nasal itching, sneezing, and itchy, red, and watery eyes.

Glenmark reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 2,910 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to Rs 3,464 crore in the same quarter the previous year.

 

4. Eli Lilly's Expansion Plans: Launching Mounjaro in India

Eli Lilly prepares to introduce Mounjaro, its blockbuster diabetes and obesity treatment, to the Indian market, tapping into the country's high prevalence of obesity and type-2 diabetes.

"We're open to any way to reach more patients as long as it makes sense for the company and we can supply the market," Ricks was asked if Lilly was willing to approve generic versions of pharmaceuticals containing tirzepatide, the active ingredient in popular diabetes and weight-loss medications.

Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide, is available in the UK and Europe under the same brand name for both conditions. However, it is marketed as Zepbound for weight loss in the United States.

Indian drugmakers, who are among the world's largest generic medication manufacturers, have already begun producing their own copies of Wegovy. These companies include Zydus Lifesciences, Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr. Reddy's, and Lupin.

 

5. Bristol Myers said India to become the largest R&D presence outside USA by 2025

Bristol Myers Squibb unveils plans to enhance its research and development presence in India, with the aim of establishing its Hyderabad facility as the largest outside the US by 2025.

The $100 million facility, which Boerner inaugurated on Monday, is projected to employ over 1,500 people and will be used to improve medication research through the use of digital technology and artificial intelligence, he stated in his keynote speech at the BioAsia conference.

Bristol Myers also has a research and development facility in Bengaluru in collaboration with the Biocon Group's Syngene International.

The cancer-focused U.S. drugmaker is currently developing next-generation cell treatments for autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis and intends to employ AI technology to hasten development, according to Boerner.

6. AstraZeneca and Mankind Pharma: Partnering for Asthma Medication Accessibility

   

AstraZeneca and Mankind Pharma join forces to improve access to asthma medication in India, leveraging AstraZeneca's innovative drug Symbicort. AstraZeneca will maintain the intellectual property rights to budesonide and formoterol fumarate dihydrate, as well as the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) and import license.

India accounts for 13% of the worldwide asthma burden and a staggering 43% of global asthma mortality. It demonstrates a clear opportunity to improve the way asthma is managed in the country.

"Our collaboration with Mankind Pharma provides a chance to speed access and maximize the potential of our asthma medicine, as well as the turbuhaler, which is a simple device that consistently delivers a higher proportion of respirable particles than previous devices. As excited as we are to deliver breakthrough medicine to India quickly, we are also committed to strategically improving access in the country," stated Dr. Sanjeev Panchal, Country President and Managing Director of AstraZeneca India.

7. Novo Nordisk's Battle Against Counterfeit Ozempic

   

Novo Nordisk intensifies efforts to combat counterfeit versions of its diabetes drug Ozempic, collaborating with global authorities to safeguard patient safety.

 "This is something we take very seriously," Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, CEO of the Danish pharmaceutical company, told Reuters.

He stated that the company has been testing suspicious products and working with authorities in countries where counterfeits have been discovered to assist in legal actions. "We cannot take action on our own."

Counterfeit Ozempic has been discovered in up to 16 countries, according to the Partnership for Safe Medicines, an anti-counterfeiting organization.While Ozempic is licensed for diabetes, it contains the same active ingredient as Novo's strong weight-loss medication Wegovy, which has been used off-label for weight loss.

8. Delhi Police Busts Counterfeit Medicine Racket

   The Delhi Police crackdown on a counterfeit medicine racket, highlighting the persistent threat of fake medications in the market.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch said on Thursday that they has uncovered a gang involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit life-saving medications by arresting ten people.

Police have also seized counterfeit pharmaceuticals, including those from international brands worth crores of rupees. Additionally Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), Sanjay Bhatia, stated that the operation resulted in the recovery of a substantial quantity of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, manufacturing equipment, packaging materials, and raw ingredients.

The gang's operations were detected following an increase in the distribution of phony drugs across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

 

9. Roche Launches Vabysmo in India: A Ray of Hope for Vision Disorders

  

Roche Pharma India introduces Vabysmo, a breakthrough medication for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

 Roche denied to share pricing information for Vabysmo in India, but said say it employs a tiered pricing scheme depending on Indian economic standing, which makes the drug significantly cheaper than in advanced countries. Roche also stated that the company has been collaborating closely with the federal and state governments, as well as insurance companies, to ensure that patients have access to Vabysmo treatment.

10. Delhi High Court Restrains Natco Pharma from Selling Olaparib

 

The Delhi High Court issues an injunction against Natco Pharma, barring the production and sale of the cancer drug Olaparib (market name: - ‘BRACANAT’) due to patent infringement allegations by Kudos Pharmaceuticals. The court considered Natco's argument to the patent's validity unconvincing, resulting in the injunction. Natco attempted to cancel Kudos' patent only after the case was filed, despite no prior resistance.

 

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Pharma Delta as we continue to unravel the latest trends and innovations shaping the pharmaceutical landscape. Together, let's pave the way for a healthier future! 🌟💊