Advinus Therapeutics, a Tata group company, has signed a Drug Discovery Agreement with Johnson and Johnson subsidiary, Ortho-Mc-Neil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. 

The company which is only into its third year has other ambitious projects to its credit like an agreement with Merck for two programs in metabolic diseases. Advinus specializes in metabolic ,inflammation and neglected diseases. 

In what was seen as a major breakthrough for the Piramal Group of Companies, the Piramal Life Sciences, a part of the group got an approval from the Regulatory Authority to commence with its Phase I activity on a new cancer molecule P-1446A-05 in Canada.

The new cancer molecule is an orally active compound which is developed in order to treat advanced cancer. It is a CDK-4 inhibitor and has higher oral bioavailability. The drug provides an edge over others as it can be given orally to the patient thus reducing hospital costs.

Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma has informed that it has secured approval from US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for marketing Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride tablets.

Under the approval, the company will market and distribute the drug in 10 mg and 5 mg strengths. The drug is a muscle relaxant, which is prescribed to relieve muscle spasms resulting from injuries such as sprains, strains, or pulls.

Chennai-based Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals has entered into an arrangement with US drug maker Merck & Co. Inc. for discovery and development of novel anti-infective drugs.

Under the terms of deal, Orchid will receive an undisclosed upfront payment and will be eligible to get payment totaling more than $100 million in different milestones.

Apart from this, the Indian drug maker will also receive royalties on global sale of the drugs.

Private sector health care major Apollo Hospitals has revealed its plans to set up 200 clinics across the country, to provide a comprehensive diabetes management solution.

On Saturday, the company launched two diabetes management clinics under the brand name 'Sugar' on pilot basis in Hyderabad.

The latest launched clinics will provide comprehensive diagnosis and evaluation, education, and treatment, including life-style support to the diabetics.

Further, the clinics will also offer year-long disease management programme, including controlling blood sugar level and early intervention for complications of diabetes.