Obeticholic acid failed to separate from placebo in a Phase III study of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis patients with cirrhosis, but Intercept said it still plans to refile an NDA for pre-cirrhotic NASH by year’s end.

Torrent’s $245m acquisition of Curatio Healthcare has moved it up a rank to No.7 in the overall Indian pharmaceutical market apart from making it the market leader in cosmetic dermatology. While it’s a pricey deal, factors like growing prevalence of skin diseases and shift towards e-commerce bode well for future revenue growth in a nascent market

India’s national list of essential medicines 2022 features 34 additions, including insulin glargine, teneligliptin, lenalidomide, bedaquiline and montelukast, with price control expected to follow on these drugs.

VC funding slowed recently, but public company financings kept up a brisk pace with follow-on public offerings for Allakos and Alpine, private placements for Ventyx and Syros, and Albireo’s royalty deal. In restructuring updates, Biogen raised $592m in a real estate deal and Acerus is assessing options.