| |SEPTEMBER 20269CAN MANKIND PHARMA'S CHINA DEAL BOOST ITS DIABETES BUSINESS?LUPIN'S NEW DEAL COULD BE A GAME CHANGER IN OPHTHALMOLOGYLUPIN'S NEW DEAL COULD BE A GAME CHANGER IN OPHTHALMOLOGYPERSONALIZED MELANOMA VACCINE CLEARS MAJOR PHASE 3 TESTPRUDENTIAL HCL BEGINS INDIA OPERATIONS WITH TECH-LED HEALTH COVERKERALA CALLS FOR PUBLIC ACTION AGAINST MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASESMankind Pharma has entered into an exclusive in-licensing and marketing agreement with China's Chongqing Chenan Biopharmaceutical to commercialize two insulin analogs in India, strengthening its presence in the injectable diabetes segment.The Mankind Pharma diabetes deal covers insulin degludec and a combination product containing insulin degludec, adding new therapies to its diabetes care portfolio. The partnership comes as pharmaceutical companies increasingly use strategic licensing agreements to bring specialized therapies to Indian patients while expanding their presence across high-demand treatment segments. POOphthalmology is becoming a stronger specialty-care focus for Lupin as the company expands its European eye-care business through VISUfarma. Lupin announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Visus Therapeutics for YUVEZZI, a once-daily ophthalmic treatment for adult presbyopia. The deal covers the European Union, UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. It follows Lupin's acquisition of VISUfarma in April and adds a differentiated presbyopia product to its growing ophthalmology portfolio. The agreement could also strengthen Lupin's European specialty-care presence as the company expands beyond established eye care categories and targets new treatment opportunities. POThe latest USFDA approval has given Glenmark Pharmaceuticals another entry into the US respiratory market with its Fluticasone Propionate Nasal spray. The company received the final approval on August 20, 2026, for a generic product equivalent to Haleon's Flonase nasal spray. The product will add to Glenmark's respiratory portfolio in the United States. This approval gives the company access to a market that recorded about USD 295.2 million in annual sales for the 12 months, according to IQVIA data. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals will distribute the product across the US market. POMerck and Moderna's personalized melanoma vaccine has met key goals in a large Phase 3 trial. The mRNA-based treatment was tested with Merck's Keytruda in high-risk melanoma patients. The companies said the combination significantly improved recurrence-free survival. It also improved distant metastasis-free survival compared with Keytruda alone.The results mark the first successful Phase 3 test for an mRNA cancer vaccine of this kind. The Phase 3 trial enrolled 1,137 patients with surgically removed stage IIB to IV melanoma. These patients faced a high risk of their cancer returning or spreading. Patients received either Intismeran with Keytruda or Keytruda alone. Intismeran is the treatment's generic name and was earlier known as V940 or mRNA-4157. POTech-led health insurance is gaining momentum in India as Prudential HCL Health Insurance begins operations in the country. The standalone insurer combines Prudential plc.'s insurance expertise with HCL Group's technology and healthcare capabilities. Prudential Health India will use AI-powered experiences, an omnichannel model and access to more than 12,000 hospitals. The company will also offer digitally enabled services for policy selection, policy management and customer support. Its launch adds a technology-focused competitor to India's expanding health insurance market. POMosquito-borne diseases have prompted Kerala to intensify prevention, surveillance and community action across the state. Health Minister K Muraleedharan has urged residents to support measures against dengue, chikungunya and malaria. The Health Department plans stronger fever screening, disease surveillance, fogging, spraying and mosquito-larvae control in vulnerable areas.States such as Idukki and Malappuram will receive closer malaria surveillance after officials identified locally acquired malaria cases. Kerala will also maintain testing, treatment and medicine availability for mosquito-borne diseases. The state's response combines household-level prevention with healthcare monitoring. PO
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