NPIL implements LabVantage’s Sapphire for its R&D facilities
Nicholas Piramal India Ltd (NPIL) announced that it has chosen Kolkata-based Lab-Vantage Solutions’ state-of-the-art Sapphire Life Science LIMS for implementation at its end-to-end drug discovery R&D facilities in Mumbai and Chennai.

Avesthagen, Nestle sign research pact
The Bangalore-based Avesthagen and Nestle Nutrition, a unit of Nestle SA the world’s largest food and beverage company have agreed on a research and development programme.

VAT on life-saving drugs to continue
The government has dropped the move to exempt life-saving drugs from the purview of the value added tax (VAT). They will continue to attract four per cent tax.

US Academy of Sciences elects Dr R A Mashelkar as foreign associate
Dr R A Mashelkar, director general, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), has been elected Foreign Associate of US National Academy of Sciences at its General Meeting held recently in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research in polymer science and engineering.

Dishman, ACDIMA pact to manufacture APIs in Arab market
Dishman Pharma- ceuticals & Chemicals (DPCL) has entered into various agreements with Arab Company for Drug Industries and Medical Appliances (ACDIMA) for setting up a joint venture (JV) to manufacture 20 Active Pharmaceutical Ingre-dients (APIs) in Arab countries.