Apex Laboratories Ltd, Chennai has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the J.S.S. College of Pharmacy, Ooty and the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), New Delhi, to carry out advanced research into development of marker compounds of herbal drugs.

The MoU was signed a few days ago at New Delhi. And J.S.S. College of Pharmacy is working out the details of the herb standardization and development methodology, L. V. Satyanaranan, Finance Controller, Apex Laboratories, told Pharmabiz.

The MoU would lead to development of crucial herbal drug combinations, utilizing the R& D facility and scientific support from the J.S.S. College, and the advanced infrastructure and support from TIFAC. Apex Labs is contributing about 30 per cent of the total research cost that may amount to several lakhs of rupees. At present, out of the 120 odd herbs that are being regularly used for herbal drug manufacturing in the country, only 20 to 30 marker compounds have been developed by R&D efforts. The new initiative would be to develop and identify the potential and efficacy of herbs having multi-curative properties, said Satyanarayanan.

It is to be noted that the Rs.40 crore odd Apex Laboratories had floated a separate herbal division named Green Milk recently to manufacture and market herbal drugs of global standards. The company has also lined up five herbal drugs, now under various stages of clinical and toxicological trials, which are likely to be completed within a few months. Some overseas buyers have shown interest to import these drugs and preliminary discussions are on, according to Satyanarayanan. The drugs were formally launched at the Herbal Expo in Chennai about two months ago.

TIFAC, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is an organisation into updating global technology trends and formulating preferred technology options for India. Besides offering technology, financial support and information, TIFAC identifies and works with various potential organizations in the country for new technology and product development.

J. S. S. College of Pharmacy, Ooty, an emerging R&D centre for the herbal drug industry in south India, is working on development of various herbal drugs. J.S.S. already has a tie-up with TIFAC to do a similar research initiative for Tablets India, Chennai. J.S.S. is also in the final stages of developing a few herbal drugs.