A COVID-19 second wave is wreaking havoc in India but pharma appears to be holding things together for now, stretching resources amid a dip in personnel attendance and supply chain strains. Limited vaccine supplies, a spurt in API prices and an inevitable third wave could mean further turbulence ahead.

Eli Lilly responds with baricitinib donation plan and efforts to sew up royalty free voluntary licenses with local Indian firms as challenger Natco seeks a compulsory license for its version of the JAK inhibitor, which it is ready to launch.

Biocon is still awaiting a site inspection as pandemic-related delays keep its Viatris-partnered bevacizumab out of the US market, though the Indian company believes it can still make good and garner market share. All eyes are also on traction for its insulin glargine via increased share of formulary contracts.

Biocon awaits site inspection after pandemic-amplified delays keep its Viatris-partnered bevacizumab out of the US market, though the Indian company believes they can still make good and garner market share. All eyes are also on traction for their insulin glargine via increased share of formulary contracts.

A high profile panel including the WHO's chief scientist and ministers of Norway and South Africa discussed critical dimensions pertaining to coronavirus vaccines and risks of a “pandemic within a pandemic” with the emergence of  SARS-CoV-2 variants. Funding gaps at the ACT Accelerator and extending the shelf life of vaccines were also deliberated.

MSD India outlines further specifics around the just-announced voluntary licensing deal for molnupiravir with Indian firms, noting an expectation to discuss local data needs with the country’s regulator. All eyes are also on whether non-licensee Natco will stay the course for its application for the investigational antiviral.