Reliance Life Sciences, part of India’s largest private sector enterprise with a growing engagement in healthcare, is progressing an early-stage COVID-19 vaccine. A top executive underscores the potential to manufacture at scale and provide the protein-based candidate at a competitive price.

Most roads led to India in 2020 when it came to deals to expand access to COVID-19 therapies, but the challenging year also saw significant private equity interest and there are expectations of more action ahead in the new year.

Takeda’s collaboration with the private UK biotech includes NASH and other liver disorders. Reliance will take on Amazon in the India pharmacy space with acquisition of Netmeds.

Amazon Pharmacy’s debut in India could recalibrate and disrupt drug dispensing and distribution in the country, while also tempering investment flow in the e-pharmacy segment. Some experts also predict a squeeze on pharma’s profits.