Strides has pushed back US revenue guidance of $225m-$250m by a year to FY23 amid price erosion and substantial competition in the market. Meanwhile, the firm’s CEO says Merck’s molnupiravir and Pfizer’s Paxlovid are not seen impacting COVID-19 vaccine uptake as boosters and immunization for travel will drive continued demand. The Indian company expects to book Sputnik Light sales from Q4.

Industry leaders including Sanofi's ex-CEO and the chiefs of Sun, Lupin, Glenmark, Dr Reddy’s and Cipla discuss how India could leapfrog its pharma R&D efforts. Could the South Korea model or a hybrid approach including bringing back top talent bolster the country’s efforts to emerge as a global innovation hot spot?

Strides’ CEO tells Scrip Merck’s molnupiravir and Pfizer’s Paxlovid are not seen impacting COVID-19 vaccine uptake as boosters and immunization for travel will drive continued demand. The Indian company expects to book Sputnik Light sales from Q4. Meanwhile, US revenue guidance of $225-250m has been pushed back by a year to FY23.

Dr Reddy’s indicates it is close to break-even between “the investment made and what we gained” for Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India, with Sputnik Light, boosters and pediatric shots seen as the new growth drivers. The company’s fully vertically integrated operations also puts it in prime position for supplies of antiviral molnupiravir.