The Union Health Ministry has indicated that 25 new drug molecules are in various stages of investigation in 10 organisations, including nine R&D companies and an R&D institution, of the country. While eight of them are into phase II clinical trials, two molecules have entered phase III trials.

The molecules that have received phase III clinical trial permission are 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (in Cerebral Gliomas) of Dr Reddy's Laboratories and 80 /574 (Hypolipidemic Agent) of Central Drugs Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow. All remaining 15 are undergoing phase I clinical trials.

The molecules that have entered phase II clinical trials are LL-4218, LLL-3348 (Anti-Psoriasis) of Lupin, RBx 7796 (anti-asthmatic), RBx 11160 (antimalarial), RBx2258 (Alpha I Adrenoreceptor BPH) of Ranbaxy, WCK 771 (antibacterial) of Wockhardt, DRF 7295 (anticancer) of Dabur and ZYI (antiinflammatory) of Zydus Cadila.

The government approvals for phase I trials have gone to Ranbaxy (RBx 7644 antibiotic, RBx 10558 HMG CoA Reductase Inhibitor having antilipoprotenimic activity and RBx 9841 treatment of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence), Sun (1334H HI Receptor Antihistamine), Dr Reddy's (DRF 1644 HCI -anticancer, DRF 10945 anti dyslipidemic and DRF 1042 - anticancer), Lupin (LL 4858 anti Tubercular), Wockhardt (WCK 1152 - antibacterial), Zydus Cadila (ZYHI treatment of Hyperlipidimia and ZYH2 - anti dyslipidemic agent), Malladi Drugs (Thrombinase - for blood clot disorders), CDRI (CT1 anti hyperglycemic agent and CDR 134D 123 antihyperglycamic) and Nicholas Piramal (P276 00 anticancer agent).