Although Gilead Sciences Inc.’s sofosbuvir could make history as the first interferon-free treatment to be approved for hepatitis C, it may face generic competition in India soon after it hits the market because it isn’t innovative enough, according to some advocacy groups.

BEIJING – China’s clinical research organizations (CROs) face a shortage of qualified monitors even as they struggle to find a semblance of stability.

HONG KONG – Fueled in part by proposed policy reforms, biotech and health care stocks in China and Hong Kong bourses have shown signs of life since a very significant meeting of Communist Party leaders in Beijing two weeks ago.

BEIJING – Just a few days after Beigene Co. Ltd.’s CEO and co-founder John Oyler signed a second sizable deal with the Merck Serono arm of Merck KGaA – the up-front payments undisclosed, but with a promise of almost $500 million if all milestones are achieved in both – he admitted the cash removes a layer of stress: “Maybe you sleep better at night, but it’s business as usual. The deal with Merck doesn’t change the way you work or the passion.”

• Bioalliance Pharma SA, of Paris, was issued a South Korean patent for Sitavig (acyclovir mucoadhesive tablet) for treating recurrent labial herpes in adults. The patent is based on the product’s original manufacturing process, which gives Sitavig its adhering property.

• Astellas US LLC, a subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc., of Tokyo, appointed Jeffrey Winton senior vice president, chief communications officer. Winton will report to CEO Masao Yoshida. In the newly created position, Winton will have responsibility for corporate brand and reputation management in the Americas.

• Wuxi Pharmatech Inc., of Shanghai, said its wholly owned subsidiary entered a supply arrangement with Pharmacyclics Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., for Imbruvica (ibrutinib), the mantle-cell lymphoma therapy approved this month. Terms were not disclosed.

The challenges of globalization are perhaps nowhere more apparent than in U.S. trade with China.

TAIPEI, Taiwan – With a number of novel biologics looking good in late-stage multisite FDA- or EMA-authorized clinical trials, Taiwan’s biopharmaceutical sector is starting to fulfill its early promise, rewarding the faith of its backers – both government and private sector – after decades of slow progress. Local production capacity is now ramping up; at least seven companies have their own manufacturing facilities and more are on the way.