The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed two novel technologies in the areas of asthma and diabetes. One is a diagnostic tool for asthmatics and the other is a footwear for lowering the risk of diabetic foot complications. Both, developed at the CSIR labs by medical professionals, are ready for commercialization.
“These are technologies of the future which industry could commercialize and venture capitalists can also invest in, stated Prof Samir K Brahmachari, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research.
“So far, India has been operating in the low technology and low risk business areas. But now, with scientific talent, including a qualified team of engineers and doctors together with basic science experts, the face of science and technology in the country has changed. With the development of asthmatic diagnostic tool, which has proven to be 100 per cent accurate in patients together with the diabetic foot prevention device, we are providing affordable healthcare”, he added.
In 2009, IMTECH, an industry which functioned under CSIR, was responsible for the drug development of clot specific streptokinase. The drug molecule is known to target the condition specifically and also possesses the property of thrombia inactivation in-situ. Such advanced innovations have led to the contribution of high science in the country besides offering cost-effective treatment to patients, stated Prof Brahmachari at the India’s Biotech Vision 2015 series in Bangalore.
Further, CSIR has also established a new area known as ‘Ayurgenomics’. It has developed marker assisted screening of ‘Ashwaganda’ and provided varieties of these herbs to several state governments which are cultivating it.
In addition, the Council has also developed a technology for specialty chemicals which has been transferred for commercialization to the Mumbai-based Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, a manufacturer of bulk organic chemicals and specialty chemicals, he said.
Scores of bio-medical scientists are pooling in research expertise to develop drugs for the control of prevention of HIV, TB and malaria. In the case of HIV, the involvement of Hetero Drugs, Aurobindo Pharma and Cipla led to the development of affordable therapies. Pharma majors like Ranbaxy, Sun Pharma, Cipla and Dr Reddy’s are also engaged in drug discovery and development to control some of the infectious diseases. In the case of TB, India needs fast acting drugs which are multi targeted for varied conditions but with very low side effects, said Prof Brahmachari.