Sohini Das &Amp; Samreen Ahmad

Stories by Sohini Das &Amp; Samreen Ahmad

Serum Institute to start phase-2 trials of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

Serum Institute to start phase-2 trials of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2020

The institute expects to complete both, phase-2 and 3 trials in India by the end of this year.

Despite Covid woes, residential launches back on track

Despite Covid woes, residential launches back on track

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2020

Despite a 56 per cent fall in residential launches in the first half of the year compared to the second half of 2019, Anarock Property Consultants believes that consolidation in residential real estate is expected to gain ground, and that branded players may garner a market share of 75-80 per cent.

Covid drug sales shine even as market slows

Covid drug sales shine even as market slows

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2020

Fabiflu sales have grown by 62 per cent in July. It was launched in June. This drug is being used by doctors for mild-to-moderate Covid patients even if they are in home isolation.

Fortis to re-brand itself as Parkway

Fortis to re-brand itself as Parkway

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2020

The company said this was 'important' to reinforce the 'complete disassociation' from its erstwhile promoters -- Malvinder and Shivinder Singh.

How govt plans to distribute Covid-19 vaccine

How govt plans to distribute Covid-19 vaccine

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2020

The procurement and distribution will be centralised though the government is yet to take a call on the initial number of doses that will be procured.

After showing signs of recovery, pharma sales dip in July

After showing signs of recovery, pharma sales dip in July

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2020

Growth has been under pressure since the lockdowns related to Covid-19 started and fresh prescription generations slowed.

E-com giants may see 25% jump in sales

E-com giants may see 25% jump in sales

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2020

Instead of making the sellers bleed, experts say, e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart have roped in banks to offer discounts to buyers.

Serum Institute to provide Covid vaccine at Rs 250 a dose

Serum Institute to provide Covid vaccine at Rs 250 a dose

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2020

Serum Institute of India plans to make 300 million doses of AZD1222 by December, and will begin phase-2 trials soon. It has also tied up with Novavax for development and commercialisation of its candidate.

Meet Adar Poonawala, India's COVID-19 vaccine man

Meet Adar Poonawala, India's COVID-19 vaccine man

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2020

Serum Institute is investing $200 million to create capacities for the COVID-19 vaccine. Sohini Das profiles its 39-year-old CEO.

At Rs 35 a pill, Sun Pharma's FluGuard is the cheapest favipiravir drug

At Rs 35 a pill, Sun Pharma's FluGuard is the cheapest favipiravir drug

Rediff.com   5 Aug 2020

Favipiravir is the only oral anti-viral treatment approved in India for potential treatment of patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 disease.

How Biocon plans to fight COVID-19

How Biocon plans to fight COVID-19

Rediff.com   4 Aug 2020

'I cannot cope with the demand. It will take us a couple of months to ramp up production.'

Dr Reddy's to launch Covid drugs remdesivir and favipiravir in August

Dr Reddy's to launch Covid drugs remdesivir and favipiravir in August

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2020

Apart from favipiravir and remdesivir, its key Covid-19 products, DRL has already launched nutraceutical products and hand sanitisers during the pandemic.

Covid-19: Testing times for plasma banks

Covid-19: Testing times for plasma banks

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2020

While the process of extracting plasma itself is simple, doctors say that it is the screening of donors, testing and filling up of numerous forms that takes time.

'We will price Covid vaccine below Rs 1,000'

'We will price Covid vaccine below Rs 1,000'

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2020

Pune's Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine maker by volume, is placing its bets on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine candidate AZD1222 with CEO Adar Poonawalla stating he would start manufacturing at personal risk.

Who needs TikTok? Bharat has its very own alternatives

Who needs TikTok? Bharat has its very own alternatives

Rediff.com   27 Jul 2020

Chingari, Roposo, Khabri and Trell are seeing huge traction as people are looking at options to earn incentives from home. Music streaming app Gaana, which is strongly placed in the market with 150 million users, recently opened up its short video platform for subscribers.

COVID-19: Lessons to be learnt from Delhi, Mumbai

COVID-19: Lessons to be learnt from Delhi, Mumbai

Rediff.com   27 Jul 2020

The two cities finally got their act together by ramping up the testing capacity and implementing stricter quarantine norms.

Medlife, PharmEasy eye $200 million merger deal

Medlife, PharmEasy eye $200 million merger deal

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2020

There are several discussions going around in the e-health sector for consolidation with key players being PharmEasy, 1mg, Medlife and Netmeds. According to reports, Reliance Jio is in talks with Netmeds to acquire the latter.

Glenmark's favipiravir under fire for 'misguided' claims of Covid-19 drug

Glenmark's favipiravir under fire for 'misguided' claims of Covid-19 drug

Rediff.com   20 Jul 2020

The Drug Controller General of India has sent a letter to the Glenmark seeking clarifications on pricing as well as claims of therapeutic efficacy. While Glenmark has claimed this drug is effective in comorbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension, according to protocol summary (of clinical trials) the trial was not designed to access the Fabiflu in comorbid conditions.

Covaxin launch now depends on clinical sites' deadline

Covaxin launch now depends on clinical sites' deadline

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2020

There are 12 sites across India, including private and public hospitals, conducting Phase 1 and 2 human clinical trials for Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. Based on an earlier letter by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to the 12 sites, volunteer recruitments for the clinical trials were to begin by July 7. At least three sites are yet to kick-start the process.

Every 3rd tablet in the US market is from India

Every 3rd tablet in the US market is from India

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2020

India lost its competitive advantage as China gave fiscal benefits to its local manufacturers. Besides, recent policy flip-flops have, however, dented India's image as the 'pharmacy of the world'.