Focus On Asia
Huge opportunities for OTC therapies loom in India, as consumerization brings structural reset in healthcare, as per a new report by EY-Parthenon. Success stories on Rx-to-OTC transition augur well for pharma, but a predictable regulatory roadmap will be pivotal for sustainable growth.
Following the recent acceptance of a China NDA for first-in-class drug denifanstat for acne in China, Ascletis has announced positive topline results from an open-label Phase III trial focusing on the product’s long-term safety.
UK major will bag CSPC’s eight preclinical drug candidates in weight management, including most advanced asset SYH2082, a long-acting GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist with once-monthly dosing potential.
Plus deals involving Insilico/Qilu, Insilico/Hygtia, AstraZeneca/AbelZeta, Alteogen/Tesaro, Ellipses/Innolake and more.
From a biofoundry network and pharma industry backed AI research organization to a small-molecule repurposed drug in Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, experts discuss a number of advances underway as India seeks to move up the innovation ladder.
Conclusion of India-EU talks sets ground for a free trade agreement to cut pharma tariffs, in turn lowering the cost for novel drugs like Novo’s obesity treatment Wegovy, though an investment protection agreement – likely influencing data exclusivity – will be concluded later.
US priority review for Japanese firm's first-in-class ADHD drug could result in approval of a new option this year.
Multiple Chinese biotechs are seeking to raise new funds through IPOs on the Hong Kong and Beijing stock exchanges to support international clinical trials for their first-in-class molecules.
While several companies await regulatory approval decisions on their cell therapies in Japan, BioCardia proceeds with discussions on an NDA filing and Innovacel readies an IPO.
Lanreotide supply issues cloud Cipla’s Q3 FY26 earnings, with impact seen in Q4 as well, though pipeline assets augur well for US growth continuity. Perpetual rights to Novartis’s Galvus effective Jan 1, seen adding momentum to India diabetes gains.
AriBio reaches an exclusive global out-licensing deal with Restari for its next generation PDE-5 inhibitor.
A CEPI-supported partnership between MSD Hilleman and SK bioscience aims to improve Ebola vaccine manufacturing and supply.
Dr Reddy’s gears for semaglutide debut across markets, including India and Canada, where Novo Nordisk has second brands of the GLP-1 agonist potentially ready. Can the Indian group close out compliance queries from the Canadian regulator soon?
BMS tells Scrip it will continue to seek legal recourse even as Zydus Lifesciences launches the world’s first cut-price nivolumab biosimilar in India following a Delhi High Court division bench ruling in favor of the Indian company
While a record number of China-originated first-in-class drugs were approved domestically in 2025, only one has so far entered clinical development overseas with its originator as the sole sponsor. But more progress is expected this year.
Japan's main pharma industry association to assist government agency's early research and drug discovery projects by providing expertise.
Zydus is to gain from a world-first nod for a Menkes disease drug in the US amid speculation on a deal to acquire Ardelyx. Scrip examines how Zycubo approval, Agenus’s oncology BOT/BAL combination progress and a Formycon partnership help the Indian major
Amid Pfizer’s acquisition of Metsera and Hanmi’s novel contender moving to the approval stage, South Korean obesity assets are poised to attract more interest from global pharma firms and investors.
HUTCHMED sees good potential for its Syk inhibitor in autoimmune setting following positive topline Phase III results, with China NDA planned in first half.
The US giant is narrowing its focus on obesity and cancer.