| |MAY 20269ROCHE'S TECENTRIQ SC CUTS LUNG CANCER TREATMENT TO 7 MINUTESNCR HEATWAVE TRIGGERS SURGE IN DEHYDRATION KIDNEY PROBLEMSASSERTIO GIVES ZYDUS THE KEY TO US ONCOLOGY MARKETBAJAJ GROUP'S RS 2,000 CRORE HEALTHCARE BET BEGINS IN PUNEALZHEIMER'S DRUG MISS SPARKS HOPE IN TAU THERAPY RACESwiss pharma giant Roche has introduced Tecentriq SC in India, a faster subcutaneous version of its blockbuster lung cancer treatment that can be administered in just seven minutes. The launch of Tecentriq SC marks a major shift in cancer treatment delivery, especially for patients who As temperatures across Delhi-NCR continue to soar above 40°C, hospitals are witnessing a sharp rise in dehydration-linked kidney problems, prompting doctors to warn that heatwave is becoming a serious renal health risk. Nephrology OPDs and emergency wards are reporting an increase in cases of dehydration-related acute kidney injury (AKI), kidney stones, electrolyte imbalance, urinary tract infection (UTI), and worsening chronic kidney disease (CKD), doctors said."We have seen an increase in such cases over the past few weeks," said Dr Anuja Porwal, Director and Head of Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Medicine at Fortis Hospital. "Sharp fluctuations in temperature, prolonged outdoor exposure and inadequate fluid intake are major contributing factors." POZydus Worldwide DMCC, a subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences, has signed a deal with Assertio Holdings, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Zara Merger Sub Inc., marking its entry into the US Oncology market. As per the deal, Zydus will make its move into the US oncology market by acquiring the outstanding shares of Assertio for USD 23.50 per share in cash. This makes the whole deal worth approximately USD 166.4 M on a fully diluted basis.Sharvil P. Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd, said, "This transaction represents a strategic step in strengthening our specialty and oncology footprint in the U.S. Assertio brings a focused commercial platform and an approved oncology asset that aligns well with our long-term strategy of building differentiated, durable specialty businesses globally." POThe Bajaj Group's Rs 2,000 crore healthcare bet is officially underway in Pune, as the diversified conglomerate prepares to enter India's healthcare sector with an ambitious long-term expansion strategy. The group plans to invest over Rs 2,000 crore investment in the city over the next three years, building an integrated healthcare ecosystem that combines hospitals, clinics, home care, and preventive medical services. The move marks one of the biggest diversification efforts by the Bajaj Group healthcare business and signals its intention to expand to seven to eight cities over the next decade. The healthcare venture will operate under Bajaj Integrated Health System (BIHS), a newly created arm designed to offer a complete care model that supports patients at every stage--from preventive health check-ups to advanced medical treatment. POAn experimental Alzheimer's drug is advancing despite a trial miss, keeping the Tau Therapy Race alive. The Alzheimer's drug, designed to target the tau protein linked to cognitive decline, delivered mixed mid-stage results but showed enough promising signals to keep researchers optimistic.The Alzheimer's drug race has increasingly shifted beyond amyloid plaques toward tau-focused therapies, especially as scientists try to develop treatments that can directly slow brain deterioration. While the latest clinical trial did not achieve its primary endpoint, researchers observed reductions in tau levels and signs of slower cognitive decline among patients, keeping hopes alive for a new generation of Alzheimer's therapies. POearlier had to spend several hours in hospitals receiving intravenous infusions.Approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Tecentriq SC is expected to improve patient convenience, reduce hospital burden, and make advanced lung cancer treatment more accessible across India. The new subcutaneous formulation contains atezolizumab, the same active ingredient used in the intravenous version of Tecentriq that Roche first launched in India in 2018 for lung and urinary tract cancers. PO
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