NEW DELHI: The National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) has partnered with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, the Directorate General of Ayush, Jammu and Kashmir, and AIMIL Pharma to conduct clinical trials of an ayurvedic-based anti-cancer drug.
Developed by NIA experts, the formula named ‘V2S2’ is prepared from hydro-alcoholic extracts of several medicinal plants and has already shown anti-carcinogenic properties in laboratory tests.
Jaipur-based NIA Vice Chancellor Dr. Sanjeev Sharma said that the drug has been found to be effective in increasing immunity and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
The clinical trials of the drug on animals will begin soon at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and will last for a period of 9-12 months. Depending on the results, trials on humans will be conducted by NIA and Jammu and Kashmir Ayush Department.
AIMIL Pharmaceuticals has been entrusted with the task of manufacturing the drug for the trial and will launch it in the market for public consumption.
Dr. Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director of AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, described this agreement as a milestone in cancer drug research and believes that Ayurveda will be able to provide effective cancer treatment options to patients in the country and the world within the next two to three years. The initial results of the drug have been very encouraging, showing that it increases the immunity of humans and slows down the growth of cancer cells.
This is not the first time AIMIL Pharmaceuticals has been associated with premier research institutes to work on evidence-based research. In the past, it has successfully launched anti-diabetic drug BGR-34 developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), while Lukoskin, a drug developed by DRDO for vitiligo, has benefitted millions of people.
The government is increasing its partnership with the private sector to ensure that the medicines developed by its laboratories come out of the lab and reach the people, said Dr. Anil Sharma, Vice Chairman of AIMIL Pharma. This partnership between NIA, Tata Memorial Hospital, and AIMIL Pharma is a positive step towards providing effective cancer treatment options to patients.