Boehringer Ingelheim’s Country Managing Director for India Vani Manja outlines how she expects to shape the German group’s growth trajectory in the country, while also dealing with the unexpected pre-expiry challenge to the Jardiance patent. The executive also discusses her personal career journey, learnings from her prior role in the US and gives advice to women executives seeking to move up to the higher echelons of the corporate world.

Indian firms debut empagliflozin copies ahead of expected patent expiry for diabetes blockbuster Jardiance in the country. Spotlight now on how swiftly Boehringer Ingelheim can fend off the entrants and whether the local challenge goes well beyond “inspiration” from the goings-on in the case of another SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin.

Two Indian firms want to terminate specific Phase III trials for molnupiravir, the Merck/ Ridgeback Biotherapeutics’ antiviral in the spotlight as a treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Should much be read into these plans or is it merely an “administrative closure” that is being sought?

Roche affiliate Chugai has moved court in India seeking to restrain Natco and MSN Laboratories over alleged infringement of its patent concerning Alecensa. The Indian firms, however, contend their actions fall under the ambit of the country’s “Bolar exemption” provision.