Pharma & Biotech News , from our Global Correspondents
Refine search
Generics
India is grappling with a severe shortage of two cornerstone chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and carboplatin, as soaring platinum prices, higher import duties, and regulatory delays make production financially unsustainable. 16 June 2026
Pharmaceutical
Russian drugmaker Pharmstandard plans to build a new complex for the production of live vaccines in the Technopolis special economic zone in the Moscow region, which is expected to be one of the largest of such kind in the country, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 15 June 2026
Generics
In a significant move to expand its oncology footprint in the United States, Indian major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has announced the launch of Bosutinib 400mg tablets, the generic equivalent of Pfizer’s blockbuster drug Bosulif, used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). 15 June 2026
Generics
Russian pharmaceutical company KhimRar Group is expanding its capacities for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by 10 times up to 50 tons per year, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 8 June 2026
Generics
Russia will have its own generic of one of the world’s most expensive drug against cystic fibrosis, as the Russian pharmaceutical company Amedart announced its plans launch a domestic analogue of Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor), a drug from the American company Vertex Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 5 June 2026
Biotechnology
India’s biotechnology sector is entering a transformative phase, with domestic and global players betting on the country’s scientific talent and cost advantages to make advanced therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy more accessible, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent. 1 June 2026
Generics
Indian pharmaceutical companies have pledged an unprecedented $19.1 billion in investments across the USA, marking a watershed moment in bilateral healthcare collaboration. 11 May 2026
Generics
The share of generics in the Russian pharmaceutical market will grow in the coming years, both in the pharmacy segment and in government procurement, according to latest forecasts made by experts of the Russian analyst agency in the field of pharmaceutics DSM Group. 11 May 2026
Generics
Russia is experiencing a boom of sales of obesity drugs, which is mainly due to the recent launch of some domestically developed drugs in this market segment, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 8 May 2026
Biotechnology
Russia has faced an acute shortage of Abraxane (paclitaxel), a drug, which is produced by US pharma major Bristol-Myers Squibb and which is designed for the treatment of patients with breast and pancreatic cancer, The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent reports. 5 May 2026
Biotechnology
April 2026 marked a period of cautious progress in rare disease therapeutics. A series of regulatory approvals, research developments, and policy initiatives signalled continued momentum, particularly in pediatric nephrology and oncology. 2 May 2026
Pharmaceutical
Over 500 new drugs are expected to be introduced to the Russian market this year, including through localization, according to recent statements of Russia’s Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. 1 May 2026
Biotechnology
While the geopolitical climate between Washington and Beijing grows increasingly chilled, the Boston-based investor behind the in vivo CAR-T biotech Capstan (acquired by AbbVie) and flu drug developer Cidara (now part of Merck & Co) is choosing to lean in rather than pull away. 1 May 2026
Pharmaceutical
Even as Sun Pharmaceutical Industries edges ahead with its ambitious $13 billion bid to acquire US-based Organon, in what could become the largest overseas acquisition ever attempted by an Indian drugmaker, the move underscores a broader push by Indian pharmaceutical companies to expand their global footprint through strategic acquisitions, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent. 27 April 2026
Generics
Axelpharm, the Russian manufacturer of anticancer generics, may suspend operations due to fines from the local antitrust regulator the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), which were imposed for the company’s participation in patent disputes. 21 April 2026
Pharmaceutical
Russia plans to increase public procurements of anti-cancer drugs that will be part of a new national project, which aims to ensure two-thirds of cancer patients survive five years or more after diagnosis with cancer by 2030, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 20 April 2026
Pharmaceutical
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is ramping up government efforts to curb misinformation on prescription drugs that endanger public health. This is in line with the presidential memorandum, which seeks to address misleading direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements. 20 April 2026
Generics
The Russian Ministry of Health has begun more active cancelling of tenders for drug procurements, waiting for the launch of cheaper generics, as the federal budget experiences a shortage of funds for procurements of expensive original drugs. 13 April 2026
Generics
India has moved ahead in developing indigenous capacity for cell and gene therapies, with regulatory bodies issuing national guidelines to ensure safe and ethical deployment of CRISPR-based technologies. 3 April 2026
Biotechnology
March 2026 marked a significant inflection point for rare disease therapeutics, as regulatory momentum, policy pressure, and scientific innovation converged. 30 March 2026
Pharmaceutical
Sales of antidepressants in Russia during the period of January-February 2025 amounted to 2.8 billion roubles ($30 million) with a total of 3.2 million packages sold, which became a record figure for the country in the last five years, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 17 March 2025
Pharmaceutical
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has developed criteria for including drugs in the list of strategically important medicines – a measure that will provide an opportunity for their manufacturers to apply for new government support measures, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 11 March 2025
Pharmaceutical
Leading pharmaceutical associations in Russia have called on the government to postpone the introduction of new procurement rules that will give preference to drugs completely produced in Russia in state tenders. 5 March 2025
Pharmaceutical
Russia plans to increase procurements of drugs against rare diseases despite the current tough business environment and maintaining sanctions pressure, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 4 March 2025
Generics
Even as the spectre of tariffs looms over the pharmaceutical trade between India and the USA, presenting a complex scenario with potential repercussions for both regions, its implementation would necessitate a rapid recalibration of supply chains and pricing strategies, reports The Pharma Letter’s India correspondent. 3 March 2025
Pharmaceutical
Encephalitis is a complex and often devastating condition that can leave lasting neurological damage in survivors. Despite advancements in medical science, effective treatments remain limited, and many cases still go undiagnosed or misattributed. 28 February 2025
Generics
Israeli drug manufacturer Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has resumed the deliveries of the scarce epilepsy drug Finlepsin retard (carbamazepine) to the Russian market, which is aimed to alleviate shortages of the product, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 28 February 2025
Pharmaceutical
The government of Ukraine plans to increase public procurements of drugs this year and to make them more affordable for local population despite the current tough business environment in the country and the ongoing war with Russia, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 27 February 2025
Pharmaceutical
India's pharmaceutical market is witnessing a surge in new drug launches, particularly in the oncology segment, fueled by a rising cancer burden and demand for cutting-edge treatments. Leading the charge are big domestic pharma spearheading the launch of breakthrough oncology drugs. 23 February 2025
Pharmaceutical
Binnopharm Group, one of Russia’s leading drugmakers, which is controlled by the Russian financial conglomerate AFK Sistema, will begin selling two hormonal drugs in Russia in May 2025, and will consider localizing their production in the future, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 21 February 2025
Pharmaceutical
Donald Trump marked his inauguration as the 47th President of the USA with a flurry of executive orders and policy rollbacks. As President-elect, President Trump announced several initiatives aimed at reforming the pharmaceutical industry in America, with emphasis on drug pricing, transparency and the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). 17 February 2025
Pharmaceutical
At least 90% of drugs from the list of vital medicines in Russia will be of domestic origin already by the end of 2025, according to latest predictions by some senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Health, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 12 February 2025
Generics
Russia is experiencing a sharp growth in the demand for drugs against diabetes this year, particular those that are also used for weight loss, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 4 February 2025
Generics
Russia plans to significantly expand the geography of the export of its drugs this year, paying attention both to emerging nations and developed countries, reports The Pharma Letter’s local correspondent. 3 February 2025
Pharmaceutical
Rett syndrome is a rare neurological and developmental disorder that leads to a gradual decline in motor skills and language. An X-linked genetic disease, Rett syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in every 10,000 female births each year.1 22 January 2025
Generics
This article explores the latest conversations around generic topical and transdermal drug delivery systems (TDS) in the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA dermal pharmacology space, delving into recent guidance updates and examining the challenges facing the development of generic TDS. 21 January 2025
Pharmaceutical
Even as the global diabetes war continues to rage, Indian pharmaceutical companies are emerging from the shadows, armed with an arsenal of innovative drugs and therapies. 17 January 2025
Pharmaceutical
Despite the strategies and programs that have been implemented to bring effective and equitable access to new medicines and technologies that provide equal or similar opportunities for citizens, regardless of their country, the reality is very different in Latin America. 15 January 2025
Pharmaceutical
Patrick Branch, head of Japan and APAC business development at Nxera Pharma,
Japan’s most innovative and nimble biopharma company, provides a summary of the year in the important eastern market. 6 January 2025
Sign up to receive email updates
Join industry leaders for a daily roundup of biotech & pharma news
Today's issue
Company Spotlight
Copyright © The Pharma Letter 2026
| Headless Content Management with Blaze