Takeda has linked up with COVID-19 vaccine frontrunner Novavax, while Daiichi Sankyo has been selected by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as an official participant under the first round of a national government initiative to build production capacity.

As India revealed finer details of two schemes to promote bulk drug production, Mankind Pharma and Aarti Drugs spelled out a preference for chemical synthesis products – they are likely to be joined by more companies reluctant to invest in some that are fermentation-based. Whether a “plug and play” format for bulk drug parks will attract foreign investment remains to be seen..

As India revealed finer details of two schemes to promote bulk drug production, Mankind Pharma and Aarti Drugs spelled out a preference for chemical synthesis products - they are likely to be joined by more companies reluctant to invest in some that are fermentation-based. Whether a “plug and play” format for bulk drug parks will attract foreign investment remains to be seen.

Companies including Dr Reddy’s will consider investing in new API units if the Indian government tweaks its incentive scheme to permit exports of surplus production. Other suggested changes to the $1.3bn stimulus, aimed at enhancing the country's medicines security, include extending incentives to brownfield expansions and removing restrictions on a change in product mix.