Mallya's biotech R&D lab seeks US patents
Reeba Zachariah in Mumbai | December 27, 2004 11:56 IST
Flamboyant liquor baron Vijay Mallya has a little known research centre
-- Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation -- which now plans to
commercialise its patented technologies. The Bangalore-based biotechnology
research laboratory undertakes R&D work in the field of agriculture and
medicine.
Mallya, UB group chairman, said, "VMSRF has developed some path-breaking
products and we are looking at commercialising them." VMSRF has obtained
six US patents (Hydroxycitrisol, Checkmite, Soluneem, recombinant human
insulin, Phosvitin and calcium channel blockers).
Hydroxycitrisol is a natural anti-obesity and cholesterol reducing
nutraceutical prepared from the fruits of Garcinia (kokum).
CheckMite is an aerosol spray which controls house dust
mites, a major
cause of allergies, particularly bronchial asthma. Soluneem is world's
first water soluble and eco-friendly neem-derived biopesticide that
controls variety of plant pests.
"In the absence of any other effective and safe control measure for house
dust
mites, CheckMite has tremendous market potential across the globe and
particularly in the US," said PV Subbarao, scientific director and chief
executive officer of VMSRF. The technology has been licensed to
Mysore-based Candor Laboratories.
Negotiations are underway with a German company to introduce CheckMite
with the brand name Nimbasan in the European market. Currently, VMSRF is
working on getting EPA (Environment Protection Agency) clearance for
Checkmite to market in the US, Subbarao added.
VMSRF has licensed Hydroxycitrisol to Laila Impex, Vijayawada, a major
manufacturer and exporter of hydroxycitric acid.
VMSRF has entered into a collaboration with Diakron Pharmaceuticals, a San
Diego-based start-up company, to develop novel drugs for cardiovascular
diseases.
A new generation of calcium T-channel blockers has been synthesised by
VMSRF scientists and Diakron has identified a few lead molecules for which
a US patent has been granted.
VMSRF also developed technology to produce recombinant human insulin in
yeast for which patents have been awarded in the US and UK.
"However, further R&D is needed to make it commercially viable. Efforts
are underway jointly with Bigtec, Bangalore," Subbarao added.
VMSRF is currently working with the department of biotechnology on
alternate and safe methods for species identification and treatment for
life threatening poisonous snakebites.
"We are currently working on optimisation of immunisation protocols and
purification methods for large-scale production of anti-snake venom with
good recoveries and prolonged shelf life. We also need to establish safety
and efficacy of the egg anti-snake venom before releasing for Phase II
clinical trials," said Subbarao.
Started in 1987 by Vijay Mallya in memory of the group founder, it is a
non-profit organisation and was initially funded by UB group companies
(United Breweries, McDowell and Herbertsons) and is now directly funded by
Mallya.
The UB group had set up UB Biotech for making a foray into the sunrise
biotechnology sector but nothing has shaped up on this front yet.
(taken from the venomlist)
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