Hikma has gained FDA approval for and launched its long-in-development generic version of Advair Diskus. The milestone puts it in direct competition with Viatris’ Wixela Inhub version that was launched almost two years ago, in three presentations compared to Hikma’s two.

The potentially endemic nature of the coronavirus could buoy gains for Cipla’s COVID-19 portfolio, which now includes an antibody detection kit. The Indian firm’s albuterol generic has also chipped away at market share in the US.

Avenue’s two-stage deal with an arm of Cipla faces uncertainty following a US Complete Response Letter for its intravenous tramadol. The US firm says it is "very surprised" with the potential safety concern raised and plans to seek a meeting with the agency at the earliest to resolve the issue.