India denies patent to US pharmaceutical firm Abraxis BioSciences' anti-cancer drug "Abraxane"

The Indian Patent Office (IPO) has denied a patent on US firm Abraxis BioSciences’ anti-cancer drug ‘Abraxane’. The application was rejected on the grounds that the drug lacked invention, not being patentable and insufficient. While rejecting the patent IPO took into account Section 3 (d) – the same provision under which Novartis lost protection on its megahit drug ..

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2014

Topics: Biology • Biotechnology • Current Affairs 2014 • IBPS • India-International Relations • India-US • India-USA • US • USA

Understanding the collusion between El Nino and Monsoon

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is anticipating an El Nino developing in the Pacific and so there is considerable worry over its impact on this year’s monsoon. These concerns seem to escalate with the delayed arrival of rains over Kerala and a retarded monsoon progression towards north. Around a century back Sir Gilbert Walker, then Director-General ..

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2014

Topics: Current Affairs 2014 • Geography • IBPS

Provide information to SIT on black money: RBI directs banks and FIs

The RBI has asked all Banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) to provide information and documents sought by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up to uncover black money. The new Government at Centre recently constituted an SIT under the chairmanship of former Justice M.B. Shah in pursuance of a July 2011 Supreme Court judgment. The Finance Ministry has ..

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2014

Topics: Committees • Current Affairs 2014 • FII • IBPS • India-International Relations • india-switzerland • RBI • Socio-Economic • Supreme court • Switzerland

India enhances its nuclear transparency, ratifies Additional Protocol with IAEA

In order to bring more transparency of nuclear infrastructure, India has ratified an Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  The move will boost energy security and consolidate international confidence. The proposal had been awaiting ratification for over five years. The new government ratified the protocol which will facilitate large imports of nuclear ..

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2014

Topics: Current Affairs 2014 • IBPS

Pyu Ancient Cities: Myanmar’s first site on World Heritage List

Pyu Ancient Cities of Myanmar has become the first site from the country to get entry onto the World Heritage List. It was decided by the World Heritage Committee during its meeting in Doha (Qatar) under the Chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani. The panel also inscribed Iran’s ‘Burnt City” ..

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2014

Topics: Current Affairs 2014 • IBPS • Iran • Myanmar • Qatar • UN