Bhubaneswar: An economic and innovative formulation developed by researchers at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University is set for commercial production.
A technology licensing agreement was signed last year by SOA with National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).
On Friday, technology transfer agreement on the product, ‘Re-Dispersible Mucoadhesive Gargle Composition’, was signed here by NRDC and Gujarat-based Suyaash Pharmaceuticals in the presence of SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda.
The formulation was developed by a team of researchers headed by Prof. Goutam Rath of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS), SOA faculty of pharmaceutical sciences.
Prof. Rath pointed out this is the first time that a formulation developed by researchers in Odisha will be commercially produced.
A two-day training and demonstration programme was organised for the benefit of the licensee, Suyaash Pharmaceuticals, represented by its Director Raju Sharadchandra Shah and Chief Executive Officer Kapil Shah, in the presence of NRDC representative Amitabh Mishra.
What’s the Formulation for?
Gargle medicines which are prescribed for throat infections have limited impact for about 15 to 30 minutes and require multiple use to alleviate discomfort. The SOA research team developed a redispersible mucoadhesive extended release gargle formulation which offers long-term effect of about four hours on a single use, explained Prof. Rath.
The formulation will only reduce number of doses but also improve drug efficacy, he said.
SOA has already transferred three potential pharmaceutical technologies developed at SPS to the NRDC which facilitates transfer of innovative technologies developed by individuals, colleges, universities and industries for large-scale production and marketing.
Prof. Rath’s team — which included Prof. Goutam Ghosh, Dr Biswakanth Kar, Dr Vinit Kumar Rai, Jitu Halder and Deepak Pradhan — coordinated the visit of representatives of the pharmaceutical company and NRDC.