The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) labs have found that CNG-run buses could cause harmful effect on human being as it emits “nano carbon” particles which could be responsible for cancer and that nanotechnology could be useful in targeted drug delivery research among other pertinent areas. These thoughts were shared at “Global Green Nanotechnology Conclave (GiGaNTiC 2015)” organised by CII-Gujarat Centre of Excellence in Nanotechnology (CoE-NT) with the theme “Fostering Innovation to build core competency and provide market leadership for sustainable growth” recently in Ahmedabad. The conclave was attended by more than 225 participants.

During the inaugural session report was released on “Nanotechnology applications in Healthcare – Potpourri”. This report gives brief overview about the ongoing research & role of nanotechnology in healthcare segment. This report was prepared by joint efforts of CoE-NT, CKMNT & Pharmatutor.

It also hosted a plenary session on: nanotechnology applications in healthcare and the pathway to commercialization of nanomedicines. This session was chaired by professor Harish Padh, where he mentioned that the application of nanotechnology to human health care to show potential pathways to improving medical diagnosis and therapy and even to regenerate tissues and organs. A more affordable healthcare offered quality of life for everyone. Dr Sanju Dhawan gave an outstanding idea about nano drugs where she explained nicely about the new product and its challenges and added how to fullfil challenges in infrastructure and proper regulation board for future perspective. Dr Beena Rai, TCS talked upon the nano-scale manipulation of skin lipids while Jai Raj, Visual Sonics - Fujifilm Sonosite India P. Ltd. explained about the new approach for in vivo nanoparticle imaging for cancer research. Jatin Gujjar, Amneal Pharmaceutical gave review about nano based drug delivery systems.

Dr. Alok Dhawan, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research focused on issues related with nanotechnology and its solutions. He showed different modeling to reduce the toxicity of nanoparticles. Dr. Ashok Raichur, IISc explained how to make layer by layer assembled nanostructured polymer capsules and its applications in drug delivery systems. Dr Mukul Jain, Zydus Cadila spoke on preclinical development of nanotechnology based therapeutic agents and related issues. Dr KS Rao, Syngene International gave overview about the regulatory aspects of drug approval in India vis a vis other regulated markets. At the end Dr Chakarborty concluded the session with bringing new ideas on issues in bringing nano based healthcare products to market. The commercialisation of medicine is a long process and requires more funds and more time because it undergoes different trials and various regulatory dossiers and approvals.

The conference also deliberated on facilitating the technology requirement and other related needs of the industry through national and international networking. interacting with the government to establish policy and standards for nanotechnology processes, facilitating knowledge flow by working with international organisations through bi-lateral/multi-lateral cooperation mechanism, scope, challenges and future application of the nanotechnology.

CII – CoE-NT is working towards to demonstrate and promote “Clean and Green Nanotechnology Processes” for different industrial applications. Under the ongoing efforts of “Make in India", this two-day programme hosted conference, exhibition, panel discussion and workshop. The whole conclave was designed with considering major focus areas, wherein nanotechnology being widely used. The programme was started by lamp lighting and welcome address given by Dr. Bhaswat Sunder Chakraborty, chairman of GiGaNTiC 2015.

After giving welcome address, Dr Chakraborty addressed about the healthy collaboration between industries, institutions, universities, government and other regulatory bodies for fostering nano innovation and further commercialization of the products. Dr H G Koshia, Food and Drug Control Authority (FDCA), government of Gujarat and Dr H Purshotham, CMD, NRDC emphasized on importance of modern infrastructural needs for nanotechnology.

Dr M O Garg’s talk was mainly on five challenges like food/energy/water/sanitary/space. He said that we need to think out of box and do best in nanotechnology and to make it at commercial level to enhance the penetration in India. He added that nanotechnology has provided the scientists a new way to look at things. With help of nanotech we have been able to make the process faster and more economical. He also shared that by primary study, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) labs have found that CNG run buses could cause harmful effect on human being as it emit “nano carbon” particles which could be responsible for cancer.

Distinguished professor YS Rajan said that there is need to keep market demand in mind while developing new product and technology, instead of filing patent purely for the sake of it. He added that studies indicate around 500 patents have been filed by India but how many of them would be converted into products? The number also is because of sheer scale of the country where even smaller countries such as South Korea are surging past if one compares population ratio. At the end of this session the concluding remark was done by Dr. Chakraborty. He concluded that we need to follow critically important approach for further attention and integration of nanotechnology into manufacturing processes, educational curricula and policy efforts. The Indian government needs a strategy for encouraging and stimulating green nanotechnology. The technology commercialisation, its success and different aspect of opportunity in terms of markets/safe/risk and sustainable growth were discussed in this session.

The event hosted a plenary session on: Designing of Green Nanomaterials for new-age industries: Its Easier than You Think. This session was chaired by Dr M O Garg, director general, CSIR labs. During the session, Mani Iyer delivered a glimpse of materials at nano level and how they are special and how to characterize it in a best way. The modern instruments and labs for clean characterisation and its needs for the fabrication of materials were discussed. Karthik Amanchi talked upon the various herbals routes for preparing nano particle without toxicity. Dr Ganguli focused about importance of Indian requirement for the cutting edge science and technology. Myles Elledge explained how he is actively engaged with Gujarat “Innovation, Ecosystem and Drive Economic Development”. In this session also discussion was done about new approaches for industries, which not only offer environmental benefits but also would be helpful to us for greater security.