Indian Institute develops anti-cancer drug; results of clinical trials awaited

The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) here has developed an anti-cancer anti-inflammatory drug conjugated to the human serum Albumin. It is an intravenous delivery system, enabling 100 fold increase in drug bio-availability and is a mix of human serum albumin and a plant-based drug, an institute source told PTI.

"We have done the initial animal trials and it has been proved anti-inflammatory. Already the technology has been transferred. The clinical trials will take some time as it has to be done in various stages and will be undertaken by the company", the source added. This combination is the first of its kind as human albumin which is more compatible with the human body is being used.

Clinical trials in humans have to be completed and results assessed as the ensuing steps towards commercialisation.

The institute has also developed the technology of isothermal based DNA amplification device to detect TB bacterium in sputum samples in less than 30 minutes. Nearly 2-3 million people are infected with Tuberculosis and the prevalence of totally drug-resistant TB (TDR-TB) is very high in India.

The TB screening device employs a nucleic acid amplification technique to detect TB in less than 30 minutes with high specificity and without false positives. It can simultaneously screen 20 patient samples in one assay and at a considerably lower cost than the existing devices ( costs approx Rs 2500/ sample), an institute release said.

There are TB detection devices that are currently used in a specialized laboratory setup, but there is an urgent need for a highly sensitive TB detection device which can be used in resource-poor peripheral centres, where sophisticated laboratories or services of microbiologists are not available, the release said. The device will also help in mass screening of the population of people for TB at a substantially low cost.

It is believed that this device presents a breakthrough in the rapid diagnosis of Tuberculosis. SCTIMST has already filed the patent application for this technology, the release said.

In an effort to build a strong partnership with the industry for commercialising their inventions, the SCTIMST held an Industry-Innovator Meet, Medical Technology Expo and Technology Conclave 2019 at its campus here Sunday. The commercial launch of Vein Viewer, Technology transfer of six new products and Relicensing of two commercialised technologies were held during the meet.

Various mission mode Research & Development programmes are in the areas of cardiovascular devices. The conclave is also aimed at setting up a roadmap for the technologies and products needed for healthcare in the future.

(With inputs from agencies.)