Takeda launches blockbuster gastrointestinal drug vedolizumab in India, stepping up the tempo on the back of the local base provided by its acquisition of Shire. More expansion in the country appears to be in store for the Japanese firm.

A new report on the preparedness of 10 APAC nations to tackle a mounting cancer burden identifies gaps that need to be addressed, saying that a focus on prevention and early diagnosis could help, while also touching on issues around regional drug availability.

Also, deals involving Sumitomo Dainippon, Tolero, Boston Biomedical, Zai Lab, Turning Point, SciClone, EpicentRx, Yuhan, GI Innovation, Takeda, Carmine, HitGen, Morphic, CStone and Burning Rock.

India clears Opdivo patent, turning down pre-grant representations from four opposing parties including Dr Reddy's. The patent office rejected the opponents' arguments including those around obviousness and "inherent anticipation."

Private equity group Carlyle has acquired 20% of Piramal's pharma business for close to $500m, with the Indian group expected to use the capital raise to bolster organic and inorganic growth and deleverage the balance sheet.

Fujifilm Toyama seals three-way deal to accelerate the development and global supply of favipiravir, close on the heels of the arrival of a generic version of the antiviral in India under restricted emergency use for the treatment of COVID-19.