-The Hindu   Despite apparent similarities, the reports of two centrally appointed committees are split on the relationship between knowledge, skills and social needs Two major reports with overlapping concerns were submitted to the central government during the last decade. They were drafted by committees appointed by two different offices of the same government. One was chaired by Yash Pal, and the other by Sam Pitroda. The titles of the two committees indicated...

-Live Mint SC judgement may not open a floodgate of revenues for local pharma firms; nevertheless, it is a psychological win The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Novartis AG to revoke denial of a patent to its cancer drug Glivec. The judgement is important because multinational companies (MNCs) can be denied patent protection on improved drugs unless they can prove the medication has better efficacy. Although this decision will displease...

-The Hindu Union Commerce and industry Minister Anand Sharma has termed "historic" the Supreme Court's rejection of Novartis' claim for patent for its anti-cancer drug Glivec. He said the Indian Patent Act was in conformity with its international obligations under the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement. "It is a historic judgment. It reaffirms the position of Indian law and, in particular, provisions of Section 3D, which mandates... a substantive...

-Reuters Global drugmakers, battered by recent intellectual property decisions in the country, are girding for a landmark court ruling on Monday with broad consequences for their ability to sell lucrative patented medicines in the country. Supreme Court is due to decide on April 1 whether or not Swiss giant Novartis AG's cancer treatment Glivec deserves a patent in the country. "Big Pharma is nervous because nothing has gone in their favour in the...

-The Hindu Guwahati: An indefinite curfew was clamped and the Army was called out in Assam's silk village Sualkuchi on Saturday after a protest by weavers turned violent. They were opposing procurement by local traders of mekhla chadors (traditional attire of Assamese women) made of silk from Varanasi. Three persons sustained bullet injuries when police fired rubber bullets at the protesters. Earlier, the police tried in vain to control the situation by resorting...