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Approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the new autoinjector is designed to enable
easier, more convenient interferon beta-1a administration, improving the treatment experience for MS
patients. It was approved based on data from a specific clinical study supporting its effectiveness as a
new treatment administration option. Biogen Idec recently received approval in the United States and
European Union, for the autoinjector. It is hoped that the autoinjectorwill help ease administration for
patients who use interferon beta-1a therapy and those who otherwise may skip treatment due to fear
of needle. The device is likely to be available across the country by the end of March 2012.
“Interferon beta-1a has been an effective treatment with an established safety profile for MS patients
for more than five years in India,” said Managing Director of Biogen Idec India, Sameer Savkur. “The
approval of this first single-use, intramuscular autoinjector is an important milestone in Biogen Idec’s
ongoing drive to bring new innovations to MS patients. Launching AVONEX® PEN,here is part of our
company’s long-standing commitment to improve the lives of MS patients in India.”
About Auto injectors
Compliance to therapy plays a vital role in ensuring desired outcomes in chronic therapies. Auto
injectors for chronic therapies have been proven to be useful in improving ease of injection and
reducing needle anxiety*, thereby improving compliance to therapy. Thousands of patients with MS in
India administer interferon beta-1a therapy to treat their MS. Once-weekly interferon beta-1a
(intramuscular) is one of the most prescribed treatments for relapsing forms of MS worldwide. It has
been shown to slow the progression of physical disability and reduce relapses. It has been available for
use in the United States for more than 15 years and in India for the past five years. The most common
side effects associated with interferon beta-1a treatment are flu-like symptoms, including myalgia,
fever, fatigue, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain and asthenia.
About Biogen Idec Biotech India Pvt. Ltd.
Biogen Idec Biotech India Pvt. Ltd. is the Indian affiliate of Massachusetts based Biogen Idec. Through
cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen Idec discovers, develops, manufactures and markets
therapies for diseases with a focus on neurology, immunology and hemophilia. Founded in 1978, with a
presence in India since 2007, it is the world's oldest independent biotechnology company. Patient’s
worldwide benefit from its leading multiple sclerosis therapies and the company generates more than
$5 billion in annual revenues. For press releases and additional information about the company, please
visit
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Bharti-Walmart partners Maharahtra State govt. for retail training centre in Jalna
The Walmart joint venture in India with the Sunil Mittal-led Bharti group, Bharti Walmart, today
launched Bharti Walmart Training Centre at Jalna, Maharashtra, in a public-private partnership with the
Maharashtra government. The centre,will be amongst seventh in India, after Amritsar, Delhi, Bangalore,
Zirakpur, Jalandhar and Ludhiana, will provide free training in retail skills to the youth aimed at creating
s talent pool in the skills-starved retail sector.
On 15 February this year, Bharti Walmart had signed a memorandum of understanding with the state
government to launch three Bharti Walmart Training Centres in the state, at Thane, Aurangabad and
Jalna. The agreement with the Maharashtra government seeks to replicate Bharti Walmart's model of
running Bharti Walmart Training Centres at Amritsar, on a public-private partnership basis with the
Punjab government, in Delhi with Delhi government and Bangalore with the Karnataka government, and
three training centres at its Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in Zirakpur, Jalandhar and Ludhiana in
Punjab.