National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, has set up a dedicated Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology for carrying out nano based drug delivery research in the country. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has sanctioned Rs 9.59 crore for the establishment of the centre. With the first instalment of the sanctioned amount coming through, the centre is to turn fully functional now.

Informing this to pharmabiz.com, Dr P Ramarao, director NIPER said that the priority for the centre would be to engage in drug delivery research for some insoluble cancer drugs. "Site specific drug delivery would be the prime task of the centre," he said.

Since most of the amount sanctioned by DST has to go towards the setting up of infrastructure, Rs 6 crore would be utilized during the current year itself, it is learnt. The centre would train scientists in using nanotechnology for drug delivery. NIPER has planned summer and winter schools for training the people. While the centre can accommodate more participants during the current year, the second year's training, which involves hands on experience, would be limited to about 25 persons. The administrative ministry of NIPER has already sanctioned necessary positions for the centre. "Recruitment process is on," Dr Ramarao said.

The setting up of nano-research centre would also help NIPER generate more basic data on nano-toxicology. According to the director, nanotoxicology is a new subject for drug researchers all over the world. "There are no approved guidelines issued by any of the regulatory authorities on clearances of nanotech-based products. Every regulator is thinking of framing guidelines. We should also initiate research in this area and collect more basic data. As a preparatory step, we intend to look for toxicity in certain type of nanoparticles. Since research findings show that they may have toxic contents because of their surface properties, such a study will be of immense help to the regulatory authorities," he said.

NIPER is also planning a series of nanotech workshops at Mohali during the current year. While some of them have already taken place, the next major workshop would be on October 5th and 6th.

NIPER had started research in nanotechnology for drug delivery in 2003. Its research programmes had also attracted funds from several National and international funding agencies such as the Third World Academy of Science, Italy, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, Department of Science and Technology and Department of Biotechnology, India. It was after realizing the potential of its research efforts, Ministry of Science and Technology decided to assist NIPER in setting up a centre for pharmaceutical nanotechnology.