revamping prozac: US firm Eli Lilly is revamping its blockbusting anti-depressant drug Prozac in a bid to fight off competition from generic drug makers. The Indianapolis-based company has struck a deal with a small drug firm, Sepracor, to reformulate the anti-depressant. A molecularly-altered version of Prozac, based on a single chemical isomer instead of two, could potentially reduce side effects, said Eli Lilly. The reformulated product could also qualify for separate patent protection. If the new compound makes it to the market, Eli Lilly could extend the patent on its most commercially successful drug for a decade, analysts said.
solaris 7 launched: Sun Microsystems India Private Ltd announced the launch of its next generation software, the Solaris 7 for Intel and SPARC computers.
Bhaskar Pramanik, managing director, Sun Microsystems India, said that Internet had made rapid progress in information technology. He added that Solaris was easy to administer, had a security code, could support any device and was compatible with euro currency and Y2K requirements.
rtv launched: Hindustan Motors launched their first rural travel vehicle (RTV) at the inauguration of India's premier agri-business show, Agro Tech '98, in Chandigarh. Equipped with four cylinders, 1955 cc and 56 HP diesel engine, the RTV can seat 15 persons or carry a load up to 1.5 tonnes. Besides, it has been provided with a synchronised gearbox which offers five high and five low gears. The RTV is being manufactured in collaboration with OKA Motor Company of Australia.
anti-infective compounds: Two new anti-ineffective compounds, to fight infection, have been developed by pharmaceutical major Wockhardt Ltd. H F Khorakiwala, chairperson of the company, said that global tie-ups were being sought for further clinical studies of the compounds, after the evaluations were completed. The firm's new discovery programme, that has screened over 600 molecules, is focused entirely on anti-infectives. Wokhardt has already filed international patents for three technologies involving novel drug delivery systems. The company has invested over Rs 100 crore in research and development in the last five years and has committed over 10 per cent of its sales towards research.
agro-commodity exchange: Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) is all set to float a joint venture company with Punjab government for setting up hi-tech agro-commodity exchange (Agro ComEx). The joint venture will provide valuable service to farmers and boost the state economy by generating employment opportunities. M&M will provide required services to the Agro ComEx at commercial rates in areas of engineering design, project management, construction software development, hardware selection, souring and networking.
non-conventional energy: US-based company Selco has set up a 100 per cent subsidiary in India. It has targeted six lakh households to market its Solar Home Systems (SHS). Out of over 10 million unelectrified households in the country, Selco has targeted 600,000 in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The company has already sold and installed more than 750 home lighting systems. It has already set up operational offices at Mangalore and Dharwar in Karnataka, which oversee five solar service centres.
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