saving stitches: India will have the first indigenously-produced bio-adhesives for suture-less surgery. Nectar Laboratories Ltd, based near Hyderabad, is all set to manufacture these adhesives and suppositories for paediatric and geriatric use. These products will be manufactured using technology developed by the Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, a premier research institute under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. The Rs 550 million project has been co-financed by the Industrial Development Bank of India.
fuel favours: Three-wheelers would be spewing less smoke in the air if they use the new oil launched by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (bpcl) in Pune, Maharashtra. The company claimed that the product gives low visible smoke levels, reduced spark plug fouling and reduced maintenance. The bright orange-coloured oil is available in 250 ml and 500 ml packs. The semi-synthetic oil has lower levels of hydrocarbons in its composition. bpcl claims that the new oil will give an additional two kms per litre of petrol and result in savings of Rs 250 per month.
tackling tumours: Lung cancer patients in the country can look forward to Gemcite, a lung cancer drug, which will soon be introduced in India by the joint venture, Eli Lilly Ranbaxy Ltd (ELRL). ELRL claimed that the drug had no side effects and prolonged the life of lung cancer patients. Gemcite is one of the most expensive drugs in the country priced at Rs 11,200 per gram. Normally, a patient requires three grams in a month. The company is also planning to launch other high-value drugs in India relating to anti-infectives, diabetes care, cardio-vascular and some other disorders.
wide connections: Strengthening their base in the telecommunications market, the joint venture between Germany's Veba AG and Cable & Wireless PLC of the UK, Vebacom GmbH, has entered into an agreement with a group of gas companies in Germany to install fiber-optic telecommunication cables along a 4,000-km network of gas pipelines . The gas companies represented by Ruhrgas AG, will provide a number of services including project management and maintenance. With this 18-year contract, Vebacom has expanded its reach to Germany's 40 largest cities.
for a bigger byte: With an eye on the mainland's computer market, Taiwan's Acer Inc has agreed to collaborate with China's Legend, to make US $500-AcerBasic computers in China. Both companies are leading computer manufacturers in their respective countries. Liu Chuanzi, president of the Legend group, said that through the joint efforts of both companies, they expected to sell more than 100,000 units in the next 12 months. Acer recently launched the low-cost 'network computer'in Taiwan.
beaming high: To facilitate Japan's internal computer networks, Japan Satellite Systems Inc will launch JCSAT-5, the firm's fifth communications satellite, in November 1997. The company is a joint venture among Itochu Corp, Mitsui & Co and two other trading firms. The new satellite will substitute the company's first satellite which has developed a fuel leak. It will be built by Hughes Aircraft Co of the US and put into orbit by Arianespace of France. The total cost of launching the satellite is estimated at US $184-275 billion.
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