CSIR-IIIM Jammu out licenses botanical lead IIIM-160 to the Viridis Biopharma Pvt Ltd Mumbai as a Nutraceutical product for management of pain in rheumatoid arthritis

CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu has developed a new gastroretentive sustained release capsule formulation IIIM-160-SR for management of pain in rheumatoid arthritis from Bergenia ciliata which is one of the most important medicinal herbs in India, that grows wild in the temperate Himalayas from Kashmir to Bhutan.

CSIR-IIIM has performed a systematic study on this botanical lead for its anti-inflammatory/ antiarthritic as well as for anti-nociceptive activity in various cellular and animal models. The safety profile of the lead has been demonstrated in regulatory toxicology studies, and institute has also secured an patent on the product. The product is aimed at managing the pain in rheumatoid arthritis via its dual activity against pain as well as inflammation. Institute is also developing the lead in a drug route (phytopharmaceutical); however, to reap the reward it was decided to launch it early in the market as a nutraceutical/ dietary supplement category. The technology has been licensed to the M/S Viridis Biopharma Pvt Ltd Mumbai for manufacture and marketing as nutraceutical product in India and abroad.

The team members contributed in development of this product includes, Sandip B. Bharate, Ajay Kumar, Sonali S. Bharate, Anil Katare, G.D. Singh, Surjeet Singh, Deepika Singh, Bikarma Singh, Sumeet Gairola, Sundeep Jaglan, which were led by Directors, Dr. Ram A. Vishwakarma and Dr. D.S. Reddy.

Dr. D. S Reddy informed that he is delighted about the Technology Transfer of Bergenia ciliata based IIIM-160SR in nutraceutical category to Viridis Biopharma and is looking forward to a fruitful collaboration between research Institute and Industry. CSIR-IIIM is also continuing working on development of phytopharmaceutical drug from this plant. Phytopharmaceuticals is a new class of drugs from plant source and in India it has great potential owing to its great strength in Indian System of Medicine and having a very unique biodiversity.  Phytopharmaceuticals Drugs will prove to be very beneficial in the years to come as it is a balanced approach which combines traditional wisdom of Indian system of medicine and scientific development and validation using modern science. Dr. D. S. Reddy also acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of Dr. Ram Vishwakarma previous director of the Institute in this direction.

Mr. Ashit Vora Managing Director – Viridis BioPharma Pvt. Ltd express his thoughts that  the pain management in Arthritic conditions are long term chronic issues faced by a large section of ageing population and there is a dire need for safe alternative therapies. Supplementation with evidence based science supported nutraceutical / dietary supplements will be well accepted in the marketplace. Viridis is excited to partner with CSIR-IIIM and bring this novel Bergenia ciliata based product to market for improving the health and quality of life of a large segment of individuals suffering from various arthritic conditions.