BioVoice News August 2017 Issue 3 Volume 2 | Page 90

news bytes tuberculosis. The molecules target an important gene, IdeR, which is essential for the survival of the bacteria. This development could lead to new drugs against TB in future. “We have identified inhibitory molecules against IdeR, a key iron regulator that is crucial for survival of the TB pathogen,” said Prof. Anil K. Tyagi, a senior scientist at the University of Delhi and lead researcher of the study. The findings have been published in the journal Scientific Reports. In laboratory studies, the new molecules were not toxic in human liver cells and kidney cells and could efficiently reach the bacteria present within the cell, researchers said. BIOCON & MYLAN’S PROPOSED BIOSIMILAR ‘TRASTUZUMAB’ GETS USFDA NOD Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommended approval of the companies’ proposed biosimilar trastuzumab. The committee voted 16-0 in support of eligible indications of the reference product, Herceptin, which include HER2-positive breast cancer in the metastatic and adjuvant settings. Mylan and Biocon are exclusive partners on a broad portfolio of biosimilar and insulin products. The proposed biosimilar trastuzumab is one of the six biologic products co-developed by Mylan and Biocon for the global marketplace. Mylan has exclusive commercialization rights for the proposed biosimilar trastuzumab in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and in the European Union and European Free Trade Association countries. Biocon has co-exclusive commercialization rights with Mylan for the product in the rest of the world. GOVT SAYS NO SHORTAGE OF ESSENTIAL DRUGS POST INTRODUCTION OF GST Biocon Limited has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic 90 BioVoiceNews | August 2017 The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mr Mansukh L. Mandaviya, in a written reply to a question in Parliament,