* Bengaluru firm Strides Pharma Science to launch oral drug to fight Covid

n a statement, Strides said it will “immediately launch” its generic Molnupiravir, indicated for high-risk adult patients with Covid under the brand Stripiravir.

Bengaluru pharma company Strides Pharma Science Limited said that it has received Emergency Use Authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to launch Molnupiravir, an oral medication for Covid-19 in India.

In a statement, Strides said it will “immediately launch” its generic Molnupiravir, indicated for high-risk adult patients with Covid under the brand Stripiravir. The company is commercialising the product with a group-integrated supply chain for active pharmaceutical ingredients and solid oral dosage from its large-scale WHO pre-qualified manufacturing capacities, the company stated.

* Azim Premji Foundation, Salesforce to launch app to accelerate Covid-19 vaccination

‘To cover 110 million people in 25 States by June 2022’

Salesforce, a customer relationship management player, and Azim Premji Foundation have entered into a collaboration to introduce VaxIT, an app to help accelerate Covid-19 vaccination in India.

The programme would use VaxIT across 25 States to cover a population of 110 million (11 crore) across over 3,500 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) by June 2022.

The VaxIT app, developed on the Salesforce platform for Azim Premji Foundation and its partners, would capture the status of vaccination to help individuals plan and stay updated on their progress in the healthcare programme. VaxIT is available on the Android app store and offers multi-lingual, and offline capabilities.

* Mangaluru: Dr Edward Nazareth elected president of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association

Dr Edward Nazareth, renowned orthopaedic surgeon of the city has been elected unopposed as the ‘President-Elect-2022’ of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association. The Karnataka Orthopaedic Association is the registered official organization of the state with more than 1,700 members from all over the state of Karnataka and also a few members from the adjoining states.

Dr Edward has worked from 2012 to 2015 as the founder-editor of the ‘Journal of Karnataka Orthopaedic Association’ and later on from 2015 to 2018, he served the association as the ‘Secretary General’. During his tenure as the secretary general, the financial base of the association was consolidated and several reforms like online voting were initiated.

* Shankar Foundation awards for Sudarshan, Choontharu

Medical practitioner and chairman of the State Government’s Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 M.K. Sudarshan and dentist Muralimohan Choontharu have been selected for the prestigious Dr. P.S. Shankar National Vaidyashri Award and Dr. P.S. Shankar Shreshta Vaidya Sahitya Award, respectively.

Dr. Sudarshan, who is serving as the Director of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences in Bengaluru, was a former member of the World Health Organisation (WHO). His work in the field of rabies control is recognised worldwide.

Mangaluru-based Dr. Choontharu is known for his writings on various topics in the field of medical science. He has published over 20 books in Kannada that deal with different aspects of preventive care.

“P.S. Shankar Foundation has been offering financial assistance to medical students from poor and rural backgrounds in the form of scholarships

* Hearzap app launched

Hearzap, a hearing aid provider launched their mobile application and six stores in Bengaluru, located at Indiranagar, Jayanagar, HSR Layout, Nagarbhavi, R.R. Nagar and Sadashivnagar recently.

The inaugural ceremony was conducted at Jayanagar 5th Block.

Dr. S. Raja, senior audiologist and founder of Hearzap, said, “There is an urgent need to identify and manage hearing problems at an early stage, and follow some healthy habits to primarily avoid hearing related issues.” 

* Karnataka: Integrative cancer centre opens, offers ayurveda treatment

In a first in India, two hospitals will be collaborating to provide ayurvedic treatment to cancer patients in Bengaluru.

Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SSCHRC), and AyurVAID Hospitals have set up a centre where patients can undergo ayurvedic treatment to alleviate effects of both cancer and cancer treatment.

Centre for Integrative Oncology (CIO).

* NCBS, Tata Institute of Genetics and Society announce institutional alliance

“This engagement with the TIGS is a wonderful opportunity for NCBS researchers to engage with questions that concern both genetics and society, and at the same time broadening the collaborative footprint of the TIGS at the Bangalore Life Science Cluster,” said NCBS director Satyajit Mayor.

TIGS director Rakesh Mishra said by joining hands with the NCBS, the TIGS brings top-quality science closer to addressing societal problems in the domain of rare genetic diseases, infectious diseases and nutrition, using cutting-edge science and technology.

* NASI recognition for Bengaluru scientist

Dinesh A. Nagegowda, Senior Principal Scientist and scientist in-charge of CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Research Centre, Bengaluru, has been elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India, for his significant contribution in plant science, particularly in the area of molecular biology and biotechnology of specialised metabolites in medicinal and aromatic plants.

* Fellowship conferred on K.S.Rangappa

K.S.Rangappa, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore, has been elected as Fellow of the Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI) for 2021, according to a release.

The fellowship is given to Indian scientists in recognition of their significant research contributions in the field of sciene and Prof. Rangappa was recognised for his work in the areas of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, the release added

* KVG Medical College wins Mediquiz

The KIMS President U K Monu awarded the trophy and merit certificates to winners and runners-up, and also congratulated them on their exemplary achievements.

Akshitha Anand and Ankitha Anand from K V G Medical College in Sullia won Mediquiz – 202