16-Nov-15 Japan, with sales of USD115, accounts for 10% of the global pharma market, compared with 38% for the US and 21% for Europe. Lupin is the only Indian company in Japan's generics market. But now Sun Pharmaceuticals is planning to acquire Novartis' Japanese drug portfolio. Other Indian generics makers, including Dr Reddy’s and Glenmark, are also exploring options. [image: Bloomberg]

12-Nov-15 Myanmar's public hospitals are now permitted to procure pharmaceuticals through a tender system. In 2014, the volume of drugs available at public hospitals was 35 times higher than in 2011. The tender system is expected to reduce the surpluses and shortages that were common under the former rationing system. [image: Taipei Times]

18-Nov-15 In its second collaboration with the Mexican government this month, Novartis has signed a letter of intent with Mexico's Ministry of Health (Secretaría de Salud) aimed at intensifying co-operation in clinical research and joint solutions for health services. Novartis will invest USD50 mn in clinical research over the next half-decade. [image: Mexico News Daily]

06-Nov-15 Korea's Hanmi Pharmaceutical has signed a contract with Sanofi to export USD4 bn worth of diabetes treatment technology, in a deal worth almost 30% of the value of the entire Korean pharma industry. Sanofi gains an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize drugs based on the materials, except in Korea and China, where Hanmi retains co-commercialization rights. [image: Business Korea]

05-Nov-15 China has launched a three-year pilot scheme to loosen approvals for new drugs, the country's food and drug regulator said, as Beijing looks to help stimulate innovation in the country's pharmaceutical sector. The trial will allow research and development bodies to seek drug approvals, which are currently restricted to drug manufacturers. [image: ET Healthworld]