SaNOtize is in partnering talks with large firms in India to manufacture and distribute its nitric oxide nasal spray for COVID-19. The Canadian company believes the product, which already has an interim approval in Israel, could potentially reduce viral load of SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as influenza and other respiratory viruses.

The CDC and FDA recommended a pause on dosing of J&J's one-shot vaccine. Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine showed signs of lower efficacy against the B.1.351 variant, but a prominent expert called the data "misleading." Gilead halted its Phase III study of Veklury in non-hospitalized, high-risk patients. And Rigel's Tavalisse may have a shot in the sickest COVID-19 patients despite the small size of a Phase II study.

In an unprecedented move, eight of India’s top pharma companies, including Sun Pharma, Cipla, Torrent and Lupin, have set up a common vehicle for digitization initiatives. Having acquired local market research firm AIOCD AWACS and B2B platform Pharmarack, could the mandate extend to other services?

The German group is investing heavily in R&D and the continued strong performance of products like Spiriva and Pradaxa is helping to pay for future innovation.