Latest news with #ARV
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
AWBI funds pending for 15 years, ABC programme may slow down in Tiruchy
TIRUCHY: The Tiruchy city municipal corporation is facing a huge challenge to fund the Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes as the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has not reimbursed its share for the last 15 years. According to sources in the Tiruchy corporation, a sum of Rs 4.57 crore to sterilise and vaccinate 34,921 dogs in the last 15 years, but the AWBI has not released its 50% share (Rs 2.28 crore) it is obligated to provide till date despite several representations. With its finances stretched, the corporation is left with no option than to approach the animal husbandry department to bail it out or slow down the programme. The corporation currently spends Rs 1,750 per dog for these procedures. As per AWBI guidelines, 50% of this cost is to be reimbursed. As per a survey conducted by the NGO World Veterinary Society at the behest of the civic body between October 2024 and January 2025, there are approximately 44,000 stray and community dogs in the city. Of these, 24,577 have been sterilised and vaccinated so far. Corporation sources said if AWBI delays releasing funds any further, the Tamil Nadu animal husbandry department has to support the programme. "But even animal husbandry department has not been supportive. There has been no response from them, " an official said.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Just two visits a year: longer ARV scripts, shorter clinic lines
Neliswa Nkwali, living with HIV for 25 years, says 6MMD has brought her freedom from clinic queues. 'I can plan my life now.' 6MMD (six multi-month dispensing) allows stable HIV patients to collect meds only twice a year, cutting down clinic visits. Western Cape clinics began 6MMD last year, easing pressure on staff and improving retention in care through ARV clubs for stable patients. ARV clubs help decongest clinics by grouping stable patients and streamlining ARV pick-ups. The national rollout of 6MMD is scheduled to begin in August, expanding the dispensing model to other provinces. A national patient recording system is also needed, says clinic coordinator Nonhle Plaatjie, to track where people collect their ARVs from across provinces.
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Laurus Labs share price zooms 8% to record high after strong Q1; analysts raise target price
Laurus Labs saw its share price jump 8% in intraday trade on Monday, July 28, hitting a fresh all-time high of ₹ 901 apiece, even as the Indian stock market remained range bound. The rally followed the company's strong performance in its June quarter earnings, prompting analysts to raise their target prices for the stock. Domestic brokerage InCred Equities revised its target price upward to ₹ 850 from ₹ 640. However, the stock surpassed this revised target in today's session. The brokerage, however, maintained its 'Hold' rating, stating that the current valuation of 30x/24x FY26F/27F EV/EBITDA and 68x/46x FY26F/27F P/E already reflects most of the positives. InCred's FY26F/27F EPS estimates were revised upward by 9%/13%, with the brokerage noting that the earnings recovery is significant. Meanwhile, Choice Institutional Equities raised its earnings estimates by 2.6%/7.2% for FY26E/FY27E, introduced FY28E, and revised Laurus' valuation to 50x (from 40x) the average of FY27–FY28 EPS, citing stronger growth visibility relative to peers and anticipated expansion in margins and return ratios. This resulted in a revised target price of ₹ 1,025, while the brokerage retained its 'Buy' rating. 'We believe Laurus is evolving from a traditional generics player to a CDMO (synthesis)-led model, with the segment expected to contribute around 50% of revenues in the long term. Given the higher-margin profile of CDMO and operating leverage as new manufacturing assets ramp up and current underutilization narrows, it expects sustained margin expansion. "A strong CDMO order pipeline reinforces our long-term growth view," the brokerage said. InCred Equities stated that the company continued its recovery momentum for the third consecutive quarter, posting Q1 FY26 results that were above its estimates. The company reported a 30% growth, with gross margin improving by 430 bps QoQ/YoY (driven by a better product mix and lower raw material prices) and EBITDA margin expanding by 10 percentage points YoY to 24.3%, supported by improved gross margins and operating leverage. During Q1, the custom synthesis (CS) business recorded its fourth consecutive quarter of significant growth, delivering 130% YoY growth driven by several mid-to-late-stage NCE deliveries and contributions from human and animal health segments, which also boosted the company's consolidated revenue by 31% YoY to ₹ 1,570 crore. In the CS segment, the company is witnessing sustained demand for high-value integrated offerings, with the revenue mix shifting toward big and medium-sized pharma companies. The formulations business grew 50% YoY, supported by volume expansion in ARV and developed market sales, along with the execution of contracts entered into last year. Laurus Labs remains confident about stronger growth in FY26F and expects gross margin improvement from 55% in FY25 to 55–60%, led by an increasing share of the CS business. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Business Upturn
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Why are Laurus Labs shares up over 2% today? Explained
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on July 28, 2025, 09:27 IST Shares of Laurus Labs Ltd surged over 2% to ₹856.25 in early trade on Monday, making it one of the top gainers on the NSE. The sharp upmove comes on the back of a stellar Q1 performance, a major land allotment for expansion, and bullish commentary from top brokerages. Here's what's driving the stock higher: 1. Blockbuster Q1 FY26 Results Laurus Labs posted a net profit of ₹163 crore, up a massive 1,185% YoY from ₹13 crore a year ago. Revenue : ₹1,570 crore (up 31% YoY) : ₹1,570 crore (up 31% YoY) EBITDA : ₹389 crore (up 127% YoY) : ₹389 crore (up 127% YoY) EBITDA Margin: Expanded significantly YoY, reflecting strong operating leverage This marked the company's third consecutive earnings beat, with particularly robust performance in the CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) and ARV (antiretroviral) verticals. 2. Strategic Land Allotment for Laurus Pharma Zone The Andhra Pradesh government allotted 531.77 acres to Laurus in IP Rambilli Phase-II (Anakapalli District) for the development of a Laurus Pharma Zone (LPZ). Planned investment : ₹5,630 crore : ₹5,630 crore Job creation target : 6,350 people : 6,350 people Phased execution over 8 years This land is crucial for Laurus' long-term growth strategy, giving it the physical base to scale up manufacturing capabilities across API, formulations, and novel therapies. 3. Bullish Broker Commentary Motilal Oswal (MOSL) has maintained a 'Buy' rating, raising the target price to ₹970 (from ₹860) Upgraded gross margin guidance to 55–60% (from 50–55%) Strong CDMO visibility and pipeline Raised earnings estimates by 16% for FY26 and 7% for FY27 has maintained a rating, raising the (from ₹860) Antique Stock Broking gave a more balanced view, maintaining a 'Hold' but still raising the target to ₹700 (from ₹520), citing: Limited visibility in CDMO contracts ARV outlook steady but not exceptional Scale-up challenges in Bio CDMO segment gave a more balanced view, but still raising the target to ₹700 (from ₹520), citing: Still, the firm expects ~16% revenue CAGR from FY25 to FY28, and EBITDA margins to rise from 19% to 30% over the same period. Segmental Strength & Capex Plans The CDMO business is growing rapidly , now contributing more meaningfully to revenues , now contributing more meaningfully to revenues The company is also building a new Gene/ADC facility in Hyderabad and a microbial fermentation plant in Vizag and a Plans to invest ₹5,000 crore over the next 5 years, with net debt/EBITDA expected to stay in the 2.2x–2.5x range Market Snapshot: Stock Price : ₹856.25 (up 2.21%) : ₹856.25 (up 2.21%) 52-week range : ₹417.70 – ₹855.00 : ₹417.70 – ₹855.00 Market Cap : ₹460.32 billion : ₹460.32 billion P/E Ratio: 90.53 Laurus Labs' sharp rally today is driven by optimism around its blockbuster Q1 numbers, the government-backed land allotment, and analyst upgrades, all of which point to a long runway for growth. While near-term execution challenges remain, the market appears to be betting on Laurus' transformational expansion strategy and strong positioning in high-value pharma segments. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Please consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
Mint
24-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
Centre plans easier HIV care at patients' doorsteps, digital data management and patient tracing on the cards
New Delhi: The government plans to take HIV treatment and support to the doorsteps of over 2.5 million living with the virus. The Union health ministry is working on a "person-centered approach" instead of a uniform plan for everyone. This major overhaul, incorporated in the "Operational Guidelines for Care and Support Centres" by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), aims to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. According to the 'India HIV Estimation 2023' report, an estimated 2.54 million people were living with HIV in India. The report said that in 2023, approximately 35,870 people in India died due to causes related to AIDS. To be sure, not everyone with HIV develops AIDS, and anti- retroviral or ARV drugs have made living with the disease as manageable as any other condition. Furthermore, the government is looking to roll out new mobile applications such as the NACO-CSC app for tracking and monitoring HIV patients. This initiative aims to digitize data and improve efficiency. A significant change in this new strategy is the widespread adoption of community-based link ART centres (LACs), which will enable HIV patients to pick up their vital antiretroviral (ARV) medicines at local care and support centres, rather than having to travel long distances to bigger hospitals. This "decentralized approach" aims to make treatment much easier to access, especially for those facing travel difficulties, financial strain or other personal challenges. Beyond easier ARV access, the government is also leveraging a major technological leap: digital record-keeping and patient tracking through a new "NACO-CSC mobile application". This initiative will replace the older, time-consuming paper-based system, allowing for real-time updates and seamless coordination between HIV testing centres (ICTC), treatment centres (ARTCs), and the care and support centres (CSCs). This digital shift is expected to save time, speed up patient care, and make the entire process more transparent and efficient. Importantly, patient confidentiality will be strictly maintained as per government data policies. The new treatment guidelines prioritize crucial areas like the Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV & Syphilis (EVTHS). This is a vital step to prevent HIV and syphilis from being passed from mothers to their children during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. This focus is particularly urgent given that an estimated 2,350 new pediatric HIV infections in India in 2023 were due to such vertical transmission. The aim is to ensure that 95% of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV achieve a suppressed viral load, a key factor in preventing transmission to their babies. 'Care and Support Centres (CSCs) will play a crucial role in this by proactively following up with pregnant women living with HIV to ensure they adhere to their treatment, get regular viral load tests, and that their babies receive necessary preventive medicines and early diagnosis," said an official aware of the matter. 'CSCs will help bridge the gaps in linking newly diagnosed individuals to treatment, improve how well patients stick to their medicine plans, and track those who might interrupt treatment or have a high viral load. CSCs also play a critical role in connecting patients to various social welfare schemes and actively work to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people living with HIV often face," the official added. Another focus of the new protocol is the comprehensive management of HIV-related co-morbidities and advanced HIV disease. This means addressing other health conditions that people living with HIV might develop, ensuring they receive holistic care. Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Cipla, Aurobindo Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences and Lupin, are key manufacturers of ARV drugs essential for HIV treatment. The market for HIV drugs is substantial, estimated at $250.23 million in 2022, with projections to grow to $389.90 million by 2030. Queries sent to the above mentioned companies remained unanswered. Raman Gangakhedkar, distinguished professor, Symbiosis International University, Pune and former C.G. Pandit national chair at the Indian Council on Medical Research (ICMR),said that though the National AIDS Control Programme continues to be one of the most successful nationally and internationally, it faces the challenge of linking 95% of HIV infected Individuals to ART services and ensure lifelong treatment adherence for the 2030 elimination goal. 'Vast number of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) cannot be followed up for the treatment and get missed, migration, opt out for treatment from closest clinics and social stigma are some of the key challenges for linkage as well continuation of antiretroviral therapy that has ensured that one can live as long as others who are not infected. Tracking individuals detected to be infected from detection to maintenance of suppressed viral load is critical," Dr. Gangakhedkar said. He said that to combat this, community involvement is paramount in the fight to eliminate HIV. 'The government now plans to establish more Care and Support Centres across the country in most of the districts and will not only track the person to ensure quality treatment against HIV disease but also monitor TB and other non-communicable diseases as a component of comprehensive care. The current guidelines cover objective parameters to be an agency to implement CSC related services, parameters used for rigorous monitoring and evaluation based on their performance. The HIV infected individuals will soon be able to get their medicines and refills directly from these local CSCs, eliminating the need to travel long distances to ART centres and when they are unable to travel due to sickness. The CSC will also counsel them comprehensively and also ensure measures related social stigma are handled well." He said that some of the patients on ART may prefer private healthcare to begin with and also during treatment from ART Centres. In such circumstances, the government often lacks crucial data on whether they're actually receiving treatment. 'To address this, all newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals will now be linked to an ART centre. Furthermore, a digital mobile application will be instrumental in tracing patients anywhere in the country. Our major goal is to monitor active HIV cases and their treatment in India," said Dr. Gangakhedkar.
