J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Limited (JBCPL) has received patent approvals from the US and South African Patent Offices for all the 20 new chemical entities (NCE) invented by the Company's R&D team in the therapeutic category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). The Company has already forwarded a similar application to the European Union Authorities for filing the patent.

The Company is carrying out further studies on these 20 NCEs and preliminary toxicology studies carried out on certain selected molecules have shown significant potent anti-inflammatory activity. Acute toxicity studies carried out on these selected molecules were found to be satisfactory on mice and rats.

JBCPL's R&D division has short listed two molecules for further evaluation and pre-clinical trials. The preliminary studies include assessment of mode of action, as well as safety and efficacy studies. Other research studies planned include ascertaining COX2 inhibition selectivity. The Company expects to complete these various preliminary trials by June 2003.