Utilizing one of the seven proprietary disease-fighting ingredients or `bio-actives', Avesthagen has enriched its Good Earth Whole Wheat Cracker with Teestar, which has clinically proven to reduce blood sugar levels. The product which underwent clinical trials at the Manipal AcuNova, a clinical research organization in Bangalore, has proved that it is particularly useful for people who are susceptible to type II diabetes.
Consumption of crackers will help diabetics to manage glucose levels through a diet regime without relying on medication alone. The product will help 35 million diabetics in the country of which 30 per cent are below the age of 40. Efforts are on to introduce Teestar into the other range of products sold under its brand Good Earth, stated Dr Viloo Morawala-Patell, founder and CMD, Avesthagen Ltd.
Teestar which has an IP status is prepared from a single herb (AGT 19) that has been selected from Avestagen's proprietary medicinal plants database 'ADePt' discovery platform. It is validated using MetaGrid. The herb is known to normalize the rise in blood glucose levels by slowing the carbohydrate breakdown process. There is ample scientific evidence indicating Teestar's significant reduction in blood glucose levels when compared to a control group.
The validation has proved that Teestar curbs the absorption of carbohydrates in humans. A seven day study was carried out in healthy volunteers with different formulation of Teestar, in capsule and cracker form. The study carried out with one gram of twice daily dosage of Teestar 20 minutes before meals demonstrated an effective statistically significant reduction in blood glucose level in Teestar fed groups in both capsules and cracker in comparison to the placebo control. The study also reported no single adverse effect during the course of the clinical analysis.
The key feature of the bioactive is that it inhibits the absorption for the carbohydrates, provides feeling of satiety and viscosity to the texture of the diet. It is also recommended for weight management. The dosage is 10 gram twice daily. A 100 gram pack of Good Earth Wheat cracker is priced at Rs. 33.
The bioactive is produced at the company's facility at Malur which is on a 6 acre plot. The facility is built according to ISO9001:2000, ISO22000:2005 and Kosher certified state-of-the-art manufacturing plant.
Avesthagen, one of the Karnataka's leading biotechnology companies, is now gearing up to introduce its bio-pharma drugs for cancer and anaemia. The products have completed its research and will now enter clinical study phase and is expected to enter the market in mid 2009. It has teamed up with Cipla for the development of biosimilars.