France has long been a European leader in rare diseases, from its scientific research and academic hospitals, through to patient advocacy and regulatory reforms that have encouraged R&D. Its biotech and pharmaceutical industries are now leading the way, discovering the next generation of therapies for patients that are often overlooked.

Industry veteran and mentor to many, Ranjit Shahani steered Novartis India with seeming calm through a rocky phase when the Glivec patent case ruling didn't go the Swiss multinational's way - perhaps not unusual for someone who had seen the ebbs and flows of life closely when his parents moved to India as refugees from Pakistan.

Novartis initiates strategic review of listed Indian entity including taking a call on its 70.68% shareholding. Industry pundits point to potential suitors and options that may be at play.

There are promising early signals from the novel mechanism, but Arcus’ fortunes remain tied to results from the TIGIT field.