Zydus is developing a novel ADC, one of the most challenging but rewarding treatment modalities today as others in the class like Kadcyla and Enhertu prove. The Indian firm's managing director spoke to Scrip about R&D efforts, recent policy moves and gains from making the world’s first approved recombinant plasmid DNA vaccine.

AI initiatives in a country known for its software prowess, along with startup support, clinical trial rule changes, crunched approval timelines, unified digital regulatory interfaces and a R&D policy laying out $600m in funds, are all meant to build something greater than the sum of its parts. In a bottom-up approach, India is building an innovation ecosystem

Merck Life Science’s top executives in India tell Scrip how they are helping biologics companies in APAC on their mRNA therapy journey. In the wide-ranging discussion, use of AI, the startup environment for biotechs and the changing face of manufacturing in India also came up.

While Moderna plans preclinical studies and Tonix Pharma’s candidate is to enter trials in H1, Bavarian Nordic is seeking US and Indian manufacturing partners for its approved monkeypox vaccine. Scrip examines if the disease presents an opportunity for vaccine makers, like COVID-19 did or it could go the H1N1 way