China

Direct seller's going to need more than larger number of distributors to generate sustainable growth, analysts say.

The exact causes leading to Chinese authorities’ investigation of the UK major remain unclear at this point, but its key oncology drugs are facing fierce local competition from homegrown rivals.

Biostar plans to raise up to $41m through a Hong Kong IPO, which help the Chinese chemotherapy specialist progress lead asset utidelone for various oncology indications.

China gets more complicated as multinational drug makers venture deep into it. Even with a local savvy business partner, Merck is learning to navigate through fast-shifting market dynamics amid policy changes, consumer perceptions of foreign brands, and competition from local firms as it takes stock of its market access, pricing and life cycle management strategies.

Hyloris recognized that the suspension of its shares as part of a broader business fallout has “created uncertainty and temporarily impacted management and organizational focus,” as it got another commercial deal over the line for its Maxigesic IV (paracetamol/ibuprofen) solution for infusion.

With the US BIOSECURE Act waiting for a Senate vote, there are signs it may be prompting some Chinese firms to look at their operations. In the meantime, two legal experts in China suggest a range of coping strategies for companies that may be deemed "of concern."

The US FDA Commissioner pushed for rebalancing the US’s pharmaceutical supply chains while also stressing that US-China commerce has a role that would be risky to compromise. 

Sharon Barr, AstraZeneca’s executive vice president, biopharmaceuticals R&D, in an interview with Scrip, outlines how the company is using a holistic approach to define a new competitive landscape in the weight loss sector. She also sees new frontiers for the firm and its potential partners both in China and beyond to jointly explore aimed at maintaining healthy muscle mass while decreasing body fat.

Joint venture business which markets Haleon's OTC drug brands in China will soon be 88% owned by the UK-based firm.

Generics Bulletin recaps the most recent regulatory news from across the world.