Today in Pharmacology

Montelukast (Singulair), a widely-prescribed leukotriene receptor antagonist used for asthma and allergies, blocks CysLTR1 — a molecule tumours exploit to suppress neutrophil-mediated immune responses. Preclinical studies in mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer, melanoma, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancer showed slowed tumour growth, restored immune attack, and improved survival when combined with checkpoint immunotherapy. Rapid translation to clinical trials is feasible given existing FDA approval.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories launched Obeda, India's first oral semaglutide biosimilar tablet, at ₹99/pill — a fraction of the cost of Novo Nordisk's Rybelsus. CDSCO-approved following a Phase III trial in 288 Indian patients with type 2 diabetes, demonstrating non-inferior efficacy and comparable safety to the innovator product. The launch follows the company's earlier generic semaglutide injections in India and Canada, consolidating Dr. Reddy's GLP-1 portfolio amid global demand for affordable weight-management and diabetes therapies.

New Drugs & Clinical Trials Amendment Rules, 2026 — notified 20 January, in force 6 March 2026. Approval timelines halved from 90 to 45 working days. Prior Intimation pathway introduced for BA/BE studies and non-clinical manufacturing, replacing mandatory prior approval for eligible drug categories. 12 rules amended, 2 fully substituted, forms CT-10/CT-12/CT-13 updated.

The full text of the New Drugs & Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules, 2026 as published in The Gazette of India (Extraordinary). G.S.R. 46(E), notified by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 20 January 2026. Bilingual (Hindi & English), 9 pages — read and download the official document.

Over 600 fixed-dose combinations banned in India since 1983 — from the foundational Amidopyrine ban to the 156-FDC August 2024 order and 35 more in April 2025. A decade-by-decade analysis covering the Kokate Committee, the 2016 mega-ban, Saridon & Corex withdrawals, and the ongoing antimicrobial stewardship push.

A comprehensive 2018 Elsevier review covering the full landscape of anti-Ebola pharmacology: entry inhibitors (tetrandrine EC50 = 55 nM; toremifene 50% mouse survival; clomiphene 90% mouse survival), mAb cocktails (ZMapp 100% NHP survival; MB-003 75% human survival), replication inhibitors (remdesivir/GS-5734 — 100% NHP survival, 5/7 macaques protected 3 days post-infection; favipiravir JIKI trial), and budding inhibitors (imatinib, nilotinib via Abl kinase/VP40 pathway).

A 2020 Springer Nature review on hantavirus pharmacotherapy. Ribavirin reduces HFRS mortality by 83% (IV, early) but is ineffective for HPS/Sin Nombre virus. Favipiravir shows promise in animal models for New World hantaviruses. Vandetanib (VEGFR-2 inhibitor) reduces vascular permeability. Convalescent plasma benefits Andes virus HPS. Vaccines span three generations: Hantavax (1st-gen, licensed Korea/China), recombinant VLPs (2nd-gen, trials), and GLS-5700 DNA vaccine (3rd-gen, Phase I completed).