💊 WHO prequalifies conjugate meningitis shot; Boehringer Ingelheim to supply France with bird flu shots; Novartis violates UK marketing standards

#383 | The world gets hungrier; Bird flu gets scarier; The ocean gets greener

Hello, reader. Welcome back to The Kable. How’s your week been so far? We have lots to make it better today, especially if you’re looking to get in on the action in Africa.

But first, we have news of a group of scientists led by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University who have found that Ponatinib, an existing cancer drug, can potentially be repurposed to target certain aggressive cancers - like those of bones and the brain - which currently lack targeted treatments.

The WHO has prequalified MenFive, the first-ever conjugate vaccine which protects against the five predominant causes of meningococcal meningitis in Africa. With funding from the UK government, this shot has been developed by PATH and the Serum Institute of India. It is the only vaccine which works against meningitis caused by meningococcal group X. Prequalification means the MenFive can now be procured by UN agencies and Gavi. Initially, it will be available for use in reactive vaccine campaigns for meningitis outbreaks.

We can’t wait for the day when we can stop writing about potential ethylene or diethylene glycol (EG and DEG) contamination. Today is not that day. The US FDA has issued a warning letter to California-based NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, a manufacturer of OTC nasal and ear care products. The FDA’s grouse is issues with cleaning and sterilisation, in addition to the company’s failure to adequately test components like glycerin for potential DEG or EG presence.

Lupin has had its fair share of run-ins with the FDA, and the latest is a Form 483 with two observations for its Nagpur, India facility which makes oral solid dosages. Lupin has also received the Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) with a Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI) classification for its Pithampur Unit-2 facility, which produces oral solids and ophthalmic dosage forms, in India.

Novartis is in breach of the UK drug marketing authority’s rules, with the issues relating to the company’s promotional website for their heart drug Entresto. PMCPA indicated that Novartis’ violations included “providing misleading information”, “failing to maintain high standards”, and the most serious Clause 2, “bringing discredit upon, and reducing confidence in the pharmaceutical industry”.

Meanwhile, Sanofi is getting lighter as it hands several consumer brands to STADA in some European countries. This comes after STADA already acquired 16 Sanofi products in 2021 and entered a deal to distribute and market Sanofi’s portfolio in 20 European countries, and later in 10 Central Asian countries as well. Pain medicines, allergy eye drops, and vitamins are some of the products being subjected to the latest change of guard.

France needs 80 million bird flu vaccine doses for its poultry vaccination campaign which starts in October. The country has chosen Germany’s Boehringer Ingelheim to supply the shots.

In Colombia, deforestation fell 29.1% in 2022, marking the lowest level since 2013.

And finally, Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Holdings is partnering with the US’ BridgeBio Pharma on a multi-phase project to identify rare diseases in the MENA region.