Delay in pharma studies opens vistas for contract R&D cos
DESPITE the pharma R&D suffering a high attrition rate, companies need to launch three to four new products in a year to sustain competition. Also, poor bioavailability and toxicity studies, which constitute about 80 per cent in the process, cause enormous delays in the drug development designing.

Avesthagen, Cipla expand scope of collaboration
Mumbai – based pharma major Cipla and Bangalore - based Avesthagen have expanded the scope of their ongoing biotherapeutics development programme to include innovative next generation drugs that cater to the oncology and cardiovascular segments, informed a press release.

Aarti Drugs to raise funds through securities
Mumbai: Aarti Drugs Ltd is planning to issue securities after the meeting of the Board of Directors held on December 31, 2004.

Indoco IPO over-subscribed by 62.43 times
Mumbai: Indoco Remedies’ IPO of 30 lakh equity shares received good response from the investors.

Surya Pharma to issue convertible share warrants
Mumbai: Surya Pharmaceutical Ltd had resolved to increase the authorised capital from Rs 11 crore to Rs 15 crore, divided into 150 lakh equity shares of Rs 10/- each.

Teva’s rosiglitazone maleate tabs gets US FDA tentative nod
Jerusalem: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has granted tentative approval for the company’s ANDA for Rosiglitazone Maleate Tablets, 2 mg, 4 mg and 8 mg.

GSK receives European approval for Kivexa
London: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has received marketing approval from the European Commission for Kivexa, a new HIV medication. Kivexa combines two antiretrovirals in one tablet dosed once a day with no food or fluid requirements.

Patents ordinance issued
The Centre issued an ordinance to bring its patent laws into compliance with commitments under the WTO agreement, said commerce minister Kamal Nath.

Titan introduces calorie tracker
Titan Industries announced the pilot launch of Cal Track, India’s first 24x7 calorie tracker, in Bangalore recently. Intended to promote walking as a way of life, Cal Track marks Titan’s foray into a novel and specific segment of personal accessories. The elegant design coupled with the product’s functional aspect makes Cal Track one of the coolest new offerings of the season from Titan.