Biospectra develops new drug-target monitoring tools based on laser technology. The new tool will be the first instrument used to measure bio-molecular dynamics more accurately. It will help Bioinformatics companies to save time and resources for testing the new drugs that are being developed in-silico.

The main objective of the research and development at Biospectra is the application of new concepts of laser technology to solve key problems in healthcare biotechnology, Dr. Anadi Mukherjee, head Biospectra and one of the speakers at the Bangalore Bio 2003 told Chronicle Pharmabiz.

The company''s R&D activity is based on two areas: Mid-infrared laser technology for real-time drug monitoring and early disease detection of specific diseases. It is also engaged in the development of the optical cure of malaria which is currently the only cure of malaria for drug resistant cases.

The Bangalore-based Biospectra and its sister organization "Photonics & Biomolecules" was set up in 1999 by Dr. Nandini Mukherjee and Dr. Anadi Mukherjee who are doctorates in Laser Physics from Texas, US. Both were faculty members at University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, USA . "Our 32 years of experience in Laser Science and Technology is being applied towards the development of new types of laser-medical devices based on our own patented ideas. We are the inventors of this technology and the pioneers of these bio-medical products," informed Dr. Anadi Mukherjee.

The unique feature of the laser instruments is that it is based on cutting-edge lasers, which are still being developed in the west. These lasers will be the workhorse of the devices being developed at Biospectra and "Photonics and Biomolecules".

The products of Biospectra are for the drug R&D companies, clinical laboratories and hospitals. World wide pharma-biotech companies are yet to utilise the techno-logy, he informed.

He also said that Indian companies have not utilised the laser technology. On how receptive the Indian industry has been towards this techno-logy, Dr. Anadi Mukherjee said, "Our most recent experience with Titan Industries on the development of hand-held glucometer show that Indian industry was not yet ready to accept new ideas and venture into new technology that they do not comprehend."

In order utilize the laser technology, pharma-biotech companies will need to invest initially Rs. 3 crore. By this investment they will own the entire technology together with 50 percent of the IPR, said Dr. Anadi Mukherjee.

Biospectra will focus on solving few targeted medical problems using new concepts applying laser science and technology. Photonics & Biomolecules Foundation will employ the government contracts for the development of the technologies to be transferred to Biospectra for manufacturing, sales, marketing and after sales service. Biospectra aims to hold a major share of world market in the targeted areas of healthcare biotechnology products in the next few years, he said.