| |AUGUST 20268TOP STORIESWHY IMMUNEEL IS BETTING ON INDIA FOR GLOBAL CAR-T GROWTHUNIVERSAL NUTRISCIENCE BUYOUT MARKS NEW PHASE IN WELLNESS MARKETAKUMS DRUGS Q1 PROFIT SURGES 55 PERCENT AS CDMO DRIVES FY27 GROWTH RECENT USFDA APPROVAL BRINGS HOPE IN SKIN CANCER TREATMENTINDIA CHARTS PATH TO LEAD MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURINGIndia could become more than a market for CAR-T therapy. For Immuneel Therapeutics, it could become the base for global CAR-T growth. The Bengaluru-based biotech is building manufacturing capacity for India and future exports. The company has built India's first GMP CAR-T manufacturing facility. The 15,000-square-foot facility can serve around 500 to 800 patients annually. Immuneel is now treating patients and planning to expand its capacity for exports. CAR-T treatment is among the most complex and expensive medical therapies available today. Most global manufacturing capacity is concentrated in Western markets. High treatment costs have kept the therapy out of reach for many patients. Immuneel is trying to address this gap through its India-based manufacturing model. Traditional CAR-T production can be slow and resource-intensive. POThe wellness market in India enters a transformative phase as Warburg Pincus moves to acquire Universal Nutriscience. This highlights rising investor confidence in the wellness market and the rapid expansion of the nutraceutical industry in India. The deal reflects strong momentum in preventive healthcare growth, driven by consumer demand for supplements and lifestyle products. Existing investors, including Kedaara Capital, will exit, marking one of the most notable private equity healthcare investment deals in India's consumer health segment. The wellness market continues to attract global investors as Warburg Pincus leads the race to acquire Universal Nutriscience. The firm outpaced bidders such as ChrysCapital, Procter & Gamble, TA Associates, and Haleon to secure the deal. This acquisition marks Warburg's fourth healthcare investment in India within a short span, reinforcing its aggressive expansion strategy. POAkums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals has started FY27 on a strong note, with Q1 profit surging 55 percent year-on-year. The company reported operating revenue of Rs. 1,167 crore in the June quarter. Revenue stood at Rs. 1,024 crore in Q1 FY26. Profitability also improved across key metrics during the quarter. EBITDA rose 35.4 percent to Rs. 175 crore. The EBITDA margin expanded to 15 percent from 12.6 percent last year.The company's CDMO business remained the main growth driver during the quarter. Higher volumes and improved API prices supported its performance. Akums Drugs reported a 13.9 percent year-on-year rise in operating revenue. The revenue reached Rs. 1,167 crore in Q1 FY27. The company reported EBITDA of Rs. 175 crore during the quarter. This was 35.4 percent higher than Rs. 129 crore last year. The EBITDA margin also improved during the quarter. POSkin cancer continues to challenge global healthcare systems as cases rise and treatment gaps persist. But a recent USFDA approval has introduced new hope in skin cancer treatment. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved Replimune's novel therapy for advanced melanoma, marking a significant step in cancer immunotherapy. This treatment uses an engineered oncolytic virus designed to selectively target and destroy cancer cells while activating the immune system. Clinical trial data showed improved response rates in patients with limited treatment options. This development strengthens the skin cancer treatment pipeline and highlights innovation in targeted cancer therapies across global oncology markets. POMedical device manufacturing in India is set to enter a new shift as the government strengthens its push to build an export-oriented ecosystem. The Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Manoj Joshi, emphasized that India must scale up medical device manufacturing to reduce import dependence and compete globally. India currently imports nearly 70­80 per cent of its medical devices, which highlights a significant gap in domestic production capacity.Policymakers are now focusing on boosting infrastructure, improving regulatory frameworks, and encouraging investments. This shift aims to position India as a competitive player in the global medtech market while expanding exports and strengthening the overall healthcare manufacturing ecosystem. PO
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