Lifestyle

New Delhi, July 29 (IANS) India is uniquely positioned to capitalise on a global genomics revolution and a looming $300 billion patent expiry wave that is driving an aggressive wave of biopharma acquisitions, a report said on Wednesday.

India hosts more WHO-certified pharmaceutical manufacturing plants than any other country on earth and for three decades, the model has been consistent science invented in the West, scaled and delivered by India, the report from Vallum Capital said.

The huge patent expiry wave will present Indian manufacturers with their largest growth windows and the medicines that are going to expire are not small molecules, but biologics, gene therapies and precision oncology drugs.

India is building capabilities in these fields through initiatives such as the Biopharma Shakti scheme and the Genome India Project mapping 10,000 genomes across 99 ethnic groups, the report said.

The firm noted India’s domestic genomics market is growing at over 16 per cent annually and is actively building toward this moment.

Globally, artificial intelligence is compressing drug discovery timelines from a decade to under 18 months and clinical genomic data and machine learning are producing commercial revenue that validates faster development.

Across the genomics sector, companies are now using clinical genomic data to accelerate target identification at a scale no conventional research organisation could match.

Some platforms are running over a million biological experiments weekly using machine learning.

Biopharma M&A reached $106 billion across 201 deals in just the first half of 2026, on pace for the strongest full year since pre-pandemic.

In the first half of 2026, biotech IPOs raised more capital than the entire sector managed across all of 2025 a year when only 11 companies went public globally. Venture capital deployed into biotech hit $38 billion in 2025, up 28 per cent year-on-year.

—IANS

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New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel on Tuesday called for a Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat, urging collective action by the Government, States and stakeholders to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Delivering the keynote address at an event organised to observe World Hepatitis Day 2026 under the global theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”, Patel said the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), launched on World Hepatitis Day in 2018 under the National Health Mission, reflects India’s commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

“India is marking eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, during which substantial progress has been made in prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up,” she said.

The Minister of State noted that “India is among the few countries providing free-of-cost treatment for Hepatitis C and management of Hepatitis B, while continuing to improve access and affordability of services.”

She highlighted that “the cost of medicines has been reduced to less than one dollar, while quality diagnostics are being made increasingly accessible to facilitate early identification and timely treatment.”

The Minister said that the programme has been expanded in a phased manner. Initially, treatment services for uncomplicated cases were strengthened at district health facilities, while selected institutions were strengthened to provide referral services for complicated cases.

Thereafter, screening and treatment services were expanded to the country's network of more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, thereby expanding access to hepatitis services at the primary healthcare level, she said.

Patel also released Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, including posters on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, highlighting modes of transmission and services available under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) for dissemination across States and Union Territories.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced an agreement to pay up to $5.5 billion to resolve the remaining lawsuits alleging that its talc-based products caused ovarian cancer, subject to the participation of at least 95 per cent of the remaining claimants.

The company said the proposed settlement covers the remaining talc litigation pending in US federal and state courts and follows a recent ruling by the federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) court regarding the inability of plaintiffs to prove specific causation -- that the company's talc products caused any particular claimant's ovarian cancer.

Under the proposed resolution, the company has committed $5.5 billion, with the first payment of up to $3 billion scheduled for 2027.

However, no additional payments will be due before 2028, it added.

According to J&J, the settlement is contingent on the participation of lead plaintiff firms representing at least 95 per cent of the remaining ovarian cancer claims.

The company said the agreement complements its earlier settlements covering about 95 per cent of filed mesothelioma lawsuits, state consumer protection claims and disputes involving talc suppliers.

Commenting on the development, Erik Haas, Worldwide Vice President of Litigation at Johnson & Johnson, said the company remained confident that the claims lacked scientific merit but chose to settle to bring the long-running litigation to a close.

J&J maintained that decades of research, clinical evidence and studies by independent experts support the safety of cosmetic talc and that its talc products do not contain asbestos or cause cancer.

The company had discontinued the global sale of talc-based JOHNSON'S Baby Powder in 2023 as part of a broader portfolio review. It also separated its consumer health business, Kenvue, in the same year, while retaining responsibility for all talc-related liabilities.

The proposed settlement is subject to the fulfilment of the agreed conditions before it becomes effective.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 28 (IANS) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said that the Centre remains committed to fostering a globally competitive and innovation-driven pharmaceutical sector while ensuring affordable healthcare.

In a post on social media platform X, the minister said he held a productive interaction with a delegation of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), led by its President, Dr Sharvil Patel.

During the meeting, Goyal and the industry representatives discussed opportunities to further strengthen India's pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem by attracting greater investments in research and development (R&D), clinical research and advanced therapeutics.

The discussions also focused on enhancing collaboration between the government and the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate innovation and improve the sector's global competitiveness.

Goyal reiterated the Modi government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for the pharmaceutical industry, with a focus on promoting innovation while ensuring access to affordable healthcare.

However, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest in the world and plays a key role in supplying affordable generic medicines to global markets.

The government has been taking several initiatives to promote domestic manufacturing, research and innovation in the sector.

Additionally, in the second quarter of 2026, the domestic market of pharma and healthcare sector recorded 65 deals worth $13.9 billion, according to a report.

Excluding an $11.8 billion deal, which was the largest overseas purchase by an Indian pharmaceutical company, overall deal values still rose 12 per cent over the previous quarter.

Mergers and acquisitions strengthened, with 35 deals worth $13.2 billion as transaction volumes increased 17 per cent quarter on quarter and values reached an all‑time high.

In addition, outbound transactions accounted for 96 per cent of total M&A value.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 25 (IANS) The phased tariff plan announced by the US administration on imported generic medicines is expected to have a limited impact on the credit profiles of Indian pharmaceutical companies over the next two financial years, a report said on Saturday.

As per analysis of Infomerics Ratings, the US -- one of the largest markets for Indian drugmakers -- imported pharmaceutical products worth $9.47 billion from India in FY26, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the country's overall pharma exports.

The built-in transition period provides Indian pharmaceutical companies adequate time to adapt their business strategies, limiting the near-term impact on their financial and credit profiles, it added.

"Shifting the manufacturing base to the US will have multiple challenges considering supply chain complexities, regulatory approvals, upfront capital expenditure requirements and the overall cost-benefit equation," said Rohit Inamdar, Chief Ratings Officer at Infomerics Ratings.

In addition, key starting materials and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are largely produced in India and China through well-established supply chains that would be difficult to replicate in the US.

Indian companies currently supply nearly 47 per cent of all generic prescriptions dispensed in the US, the report said adding that generic medicines account for around 90 per cent of prescriptions filled in the country but represent only about 13 per cent of total prescription drug spending.

Infomerics' analysis of 25 leading listed pharmaceutical companies showed that they reported healthy EBITDA margins of 26.1 per cent in FY26, although this moderated from 28.3 per cent in FY25.

Revenue grew around 11 per cent during the year, while debt protection metrics remained comfortable.

The report noted that Indian pharmaceutical companies have gradually diversified their revenue base across domestic markets, Europe and emerging markets such as South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Russia, reducing their dependence on the US market.

The share of US business for seven leading companies declined to 33.4 per cent in FY26 from 36.8 per cent in FY25.

However, companies with greater exposure to the US market -- including Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Aurobindo Pharma, Zydus LifeSciences and Lupin -- could face relatively higher pressure as they derive 35-50 per cent of their revenues from the US.

Under the recently announced tariff plan, imports of generic medicines into the US will continue to attract zero tariff until July 31, 2028.

The report further noted that the tariff will then increase to 100 per cent for one year from August 1, 2028, before rising to 200 per cent from August 1, 2029, unless manufacturers establish production facilities in the US.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 24 (IANS) Shares of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company fell more than 1 per cent on Friday after the company's June-quarter shareholding pattern reflected a sharp change in Rekha Jhunjhunwala's direct holding.

However, in a stock exchange filing, the company clarified that the change was the result of a succession-related transmission and an off-market transfer of shares to promoter entity Sitara Partners LLP, and not a sale or exit by the promoter group.

The insurer said Rekha Jhunjhunwala's direct stake declined after 7.82 crore equity shares were transferred to Sitara Partners LLP, a promoter entity in which she is a Designated Partner, following the transmission of shares inherited from the estate of late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.

The company stressed that the transaction did not involve any open-market sale, third-party disposal, or reduction in the promoter group's overall holding.

“The movement in the shareholding of the Promoter and Promoter Group during the quarter ended June 30, 2026 arises from the transmission of equity shares held by Late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala,” it said in its exchange filing.

“The movement referred to in the said news item therefore constitutes an inter-se devolution within the Promoter and Promoter Group pursuant to the settlement of the estate of Late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala,” the company added.

The company further clarified that the transfer followed approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for the transmission of 8.28 crore shares previously held by late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala under the probate of his estate.

Pursuant to this process, 7.82 crore shares were transferred off-market to Sitara Partners LLP on June 24, 2026, following which the LLP held 13.29 per cent of Star Health's equity share capital.

“By its letter Sitara Partners LLP, a Promoter of the Company has intimated the Company, with copies to BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, that as on June 24, 2026 it holds 7,82,13,958 equity shares of the Company representing 13.2887 per cent of the total issued and paid-up share capital,” the insurer stated.

The clarification came after market participants interpreted the June-quarter shareholding pattern as indicating that Rekha Jhunjhunwala had sold nearly 7.38 crore shares.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 24 (IANS) Shares of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company fell more than 1 per cent on Friday after the company's June-quarter shareholding pattern showed ace investor Rekha Jhunjhunwala had significantly reduced her stake in the health insurer during the quarter.

According to the shareholding pattern for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, Rekha Jhunjhunwala's stake fell to 3.04 per cent from 15.57 per cent at the end of the March quarter, indicating that she sold nearly 7.38 crore shares during the period.

The exact dates of the transactions and the prices at which the shares were sold were not immediately available.

The latest disclosures also showed that promoter holding under Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Associates declined to nil by the end of the June quarter, compared with 1.55 per cent as of March 31, 2026.

With June-quarter shareholding disclosures by listed companies still underway, further changes in Rekha Jhunjhunwala's investment portfolio cannot be ruled out.

The Jhunjhunwala family's association with Star Health predates the company's stock market debut.

The insurer's red herring prospectus (RHP) for its 2021 initial public offering had shown that the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala owned a 14.98 per cent stake in the company.

The family's shareholding has undergone several changes since then. Rekha Jhunjhunwala increased her personal stake from 3.04 per cent in the September quarter of FY26 to 15.57 per cent by the December quarter before reducing it sharply in the June quarter of FY27.

The family's shareholding has undergone several changes since then. Rekha Jhunjhunwala increased her personal stake from 3.04 per cent in the September quarter of FY26 to 15.57 per cent by the December quarter before reducing it sharply in the June quarter of FY27.

As per the latest corporate shareholding disclosures, Rekha Jhunjhunwala has publicly disclosed investments in 26 listed companies with a combined portfolio value of more than Rs 47,085.4 crore.

Star Health shares have staged a strong recovery over the past year after falling to a 52-week low of Rs 416.05 in July 2025.

The stock rallied nearly 50 per cent to touch a 52-week high of Rs 623.45 on July 14, 2026.

--IANS

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Mumbai, July 24 (IANS) Shares of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company fell more than 1 per cent on Friday after the company's June-quarter shareholding pattern reflected a sharp change in Rekha Jhunjhunwala's direct holding. However, the change was the result of a succession-related transmission and an off-market transfer of shares to promoter entity Sitara Partners LLP, and not a sale or exit by the promoter group.

Rekha Jhunjhunwala's direct stake declined after 7.82 crore equity shares were transferred to Sitara Partners LLP, a promoter entity in which she is a Designated Partner, following the transmission of shares inherited from the estate of late investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. The company stressed that the transaction did not involve any open-market sale, third-party disposal, or reduction in the promoter group's overall holding.

However, the transfer followed approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for the transmission of 8.28 crore shares previously held by late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala under the probate of his estate. Pursuant to this process, 7.82 crore shares were transferred off-market to Sitara Partners LLP on June 24, 2026, following which the LLP held 13.29 per cent of Star Health's equity share capital.

The Jhunjhunwala family's association with Star Health predates the company's stock market debut.

The insurer's red herring prospectus (RHP) for its 2021 initial public offering had shown that the late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala owned a 14.98 per cent stake in the company.

The family's shareholding has undergone several changes since then. Rekha Jhunjhunwala increased her personal stake from 3.04 per cent in the September quarter of FY26 to 15.57 per cent by the December quarter before reducing it sharply in the June quarter of FY27.

As per the latest corporate shareholding disclosures, Rekha Jhunjhunwala has publicly disclosed investments in 26 listed companies with a combined portfolio value of more than Rs 47,085.4 crore.

Star Health shares have staged a strong recovery over the past year after falling to a 52-week low of Rs 416.05 in July 2025.

The stock rallied nearly 50 per cent to touch a 52-week high of Rs 623.45 on July 14, 2026.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) The Centre has released Rs 266.64 crore as incentives under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Medical Devices up to FY 2024-25, while Rs 209.80 crore has been disbursed under the Medical Device Parks Scheme, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers JP Nadda informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.

In a written reply, Nadda said that of the Rs 209.80 crore released for medical device parks, Rs 177.98 crore has already been utilised.

Under the Scheme for Strengthening of Medical Device Industry (SMDI), projects worth Rs 101.50 crore have been approved under the Marginal Investment Scheme for Reducing Import Dependence (MIS-RID), while projects worth Rs 88.67 crore have been approved under the Common Facilities for Medical Devices Clusters (CFMDC) component.

Of this, Rs 20.62 crore has been released so far, the Union Minister stated.

The minister said the government has implemented multiple schemes to promote indigenous manufacturing of medical devices, including high-end and high-precision equipment, with an emphasis on reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.

He said the PLI Scheme for Medical Devices has a total outlay of Rs 3,420 crore and provides incentives on eligible incremental sales across four target segments -- cancer care and radiotherapy, radiology and imaging, anaesthetics, cardio-respiratory and renal care devices, and implants.

According to the minister, 27 applications have been approved under the scheme, including 14 from MSMEs.

The approved projects have reported actual investments of Rs 1,153.07 crore and have started domestic production of products such as MRI and CT scanners, linear accelerators (LINACs), mammography systems, C-arms, ultrasound equipment, heart valves and stents.

Nadda said the Medical Device Parks Scheme, with an outlay of Rs 300 crore, supports the creation of common infrastructure such as testing facilities, sterilisation units, warehousing, incubation centres and prototyping facilities, with central assistance of up to Rs 100 crore per park.

Three parks are currently under implementation in Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu).

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) The government’s new Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices provides for setting up an Ethics Committees for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices and appointment of Ethics Officers by pharmaceutical companies, a structured complaint redressal and appellate mechanism, submission of self-declarations regarding compliance and disclosure of prescribed marketing expenditure, the Parliament was informed on Friday.

With the aim of preventing unethical marketing and ensuring responsible promotion of pharmaceutical products, the code provides for regulating interactions between doctors and representatives of pharmaceutical companies.

The Centre’s Department of Pharmaceuticals notified the new Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), 2024 on April 12, 2024, replacing the earlier UCPMP, 2015. The Code was subsequently amended in September, 2025, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel, stated in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The UCPMP, 2024 supersedes the earlier version of the Code and incorporates revised provisions to strengthen the framework governing ethical marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies.

These include the constitution of Ethics Committees for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (ECPMPs), appointment of Ethics Officers by pharmaceutical companies, a structured complaint redressal and appellate mechanism, submission of self-declarations regarding compliance and disclosure of prescribed marketing expenditure, the minister said.

The Code also contains enhanced provisions governing interactions between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals as well as healthcare organisations with respect to promotional activities. The amendments, notified in 2025, further streamlined the implementation and disclosure requirements by requiring companies to submit annual statements with respect to marketing expenditure incurred by them on the relevant platform, the minister further stated.

With the aim of preventing unethical marketing and ensuring responsible promotion of pharmaceutical products by regulating interactions between doctors and representatives of pharmaceutical companies. The code outlines guidelines regarding promotion of drugs among doctors.

Pharmaceutical companies are accountable for the actions of their medical representatives and other employees. The code prohibits provision of gifts, monetary benefits and hospitality to doctors and their family members by pharmaceutical companies.

It includes requirements for pharmaceutical companies to self-declare adherence to the code and disclose expenditures related to conferences, seminars and workshops organised for continuing medical education and continuing professional development. Companies may undergo independent, random or risk-based audits. The code establishes a two-layer complaint adjudication process, with appeals handled by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

--IANS

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