Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray USP, 0.05 mg (50 mcg)/spray. 

​The approved product is bioequivalent and therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD), Flonase® Nasal Spray, 0.05 mg/spray, by Haleon US Holdings LLC. The product will be commercialized and distributed across the United States by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA. 

​According to IQVIA™ sales data for the 12-month period ending June 2026, the Flonase® Nasal Spray market achieved annual sales of approximately $295.2 million (including brand and available therapeutic equivalents). 

​”The approval of Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray USP marks another step in expanding our respiratory portfolio in the U.S. and builds on the strong foundation we have established in this therapeutic area,” said Marc Kikuchi, President & Business Head, North America. “We remain committed to broadening access to quality, affordable treatment options that address the evolving needs of patients and healthcare providers.” 

​The approval reinforces Glenmark’s continuous focus on expanding its core respiratory pipeline and delivering affordable, high-quality generic therapeutics to the U.S. market.

Written by: Pragna Biswas

Graphics by: Pramit Hazra

Chai Discovery has announced a strategic collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to accelerate AI-powered antibody discovery, moving generative molecular design directly into active drug development workflows.

Under the agreement, Bristol Myers Squibb will leverage Chai Discovery’s advanced molecular folding and generative design models to identify novel antibody candidates across its therapeutic portfolio. The integration allows BMS to incorporate sophisticated generative AI into its early-stage discovery pipelines to target complex disease pathways.

Chai Discovery’s AI foundation models are engineered to generate de novo molecular structures based on defined target criteria. By predicting molecular folding and designing optimized candidates computationally, the technology significantly compresses discovery timelines while unlocking challenging biological targets that conventional drug discovery approaches have historically struggled to address.

By combining Chai’s cutting-edge computational capabilities with Bristol Myers Squibb’s extensive therapeutic expertise and clinical drug development infrastructure, the collaboration aims to pioneer breakthrough therapies and expedite the journey of next-generation antibody medicines into clinical trials.

Written by: Pragna Biswas

Graphics by: Pramit Hazra

The Drug Enforcement Wing of Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA), in coordination with local police, has busted a major counterfeit pharmaceutical operation running inside an unlicensed farmhouse near the Bidadi toll gate in Ramanagara district. Authorities seized spurious, relabelled, and expired medicines alongside industrial packaging equipment valued at approximately ₹4.91 crore. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the racket.

​Acting on specific intelligence, enforcement officers raided the farmhouse premises in Kurubara Karenahalli, where operators were allegedly procuring lower-cost pharmaceuticals from manufacturing units in Himachal Pradesh and Telangana. The drugs were subsequently transferred into fresh vials, stamped with forged labels, and repackaged to mimic high-value multinational and imported pharmaceutical brands,includingPfizer before being sold at inflated prices.

​Among the seized items were 5,640 vials of CEFIAVIGENT 2.5 1 Injection (valued at ₹3.38 crore), 1,531 vials of HIZLAM Injectables (₹52.24 lakh), 470 vials of Xavitaz injection (₹27.49 lakh), 264 vials of EMBLAVEO (₹20.59 lakh), and 30 boxes of expired medicines worth ₹35 lakh. Critical-care and ICU broad-spectrum injectable antibiotics were recovered during the bust. Officers also confiscated injection-filling machinery, vial caps, rubber stoppers, forged stamps, and counterfeit labels with non-functional QR codes.

​According to officials, the operation was running without any valid drug manufacturing or distribution licenses, violating key provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. An FIR has been registered at the Tavarekere Police Station. Authorities are blocking all associated batch numbers on the state FDA portal and sending drug samples for rigorous laboratory analysis to determine chemical composition, potency, and sterility while tracing downstream supply networks to protect patient safety.

Written by: Pragna Biswas

Graphics by: Pramit Hazra

Apollo Hospitals has announced the launch of its pioneering initiative, ‘Always Open, Always Here’, making routine, planned, and preventive healthcare services available across all seven days of the week, including Sundays.

While Apollo’s emergency, inpatient, and critical care units have historically operated 24×7, this new model extends outpatient department (OPD) specialist consultations, diagnostic services, preventive health checks, follow-ups, and scheduled procedures to Sundays across its hospital network. The move is designed to eliminate the barrier of time for working professionals, caregivers, and families who frequently postpone routine or preventive care due to weekday constraints.

The decision follows findings from Apollo’s Health of the Nation 2026 Report, which analyzed health screenings from over 2.5 million individuals and highlighted a growing silent epidemic of asymptomatic chronic lifestyle diseases. The report revealed that nearly 26% of asymptomatic individuals screened were hypertensive and 23% were diabetic, underscoring the urgent need to move away from purely reactive, symptom-led care toward regular, accessible preventive health monitoring.

“For more than four decades, Apollo has believed that healthcare is about protecting health and preventing disease,” said Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder & Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group. “We are now extending our commitment to routine and preventive care across all seven days of the week to inspire millions to choose care before crisis.”

Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, added, “People should be able to seek medical care at a time that fits into their lives. Having the option to consult a doctor, complete a health check, or continue follow-up care on Sundays will make a meaningful difference for working families.”

Written by: Pragna Biswas

Graphics by: Pramit Hazra