Technologies/Know-how
1. Lab-scale process know-how towards Molnulpiravir (EIDD 2801) was transferred to Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in August 2021. [Patent Application No. 202111019499]
As a part of CSIR’s strategic group initiative to develop new therapies including the repurpose of drugs and new drugs, for COVID-19, the team at CSIR-NIIST worked on developing viable and cost-effective synthetic strategies for the drug; EIDD 2801 (Emory University-Merck).
This drug was approved for use in UK and USA and recently in India for emergency use for COVID-19 treatment. The reported synthetic routes toward this drug started from advanced intermediates, required lengthy steps and proprietary enzymes.
The team at NIIST developed a process starting from the basic starting material D-ribose by reducing the number of process steps and by increasing the overall yield and thereby reducing the cost of production. The developed lab-scale process was jointly transferred by CSIR-NIIST and CSIR-IICT to Suven Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in August 2021.
2. Disinfection-Solidification System for Pathogenic Biomedical Waste Disposal.
With the advent of Covid-19 and the emergence of harmful microbes including virus, bacteria, fungus, etc., healthcare agencies across the globe have stressed the significance of effectively managing and disposing biomedical waste as the first step towards preventing these infections from uncontrolled spreading. Mismanagement of infectious wastes such as biomedical test samples can cause the transmission of contagious and infectious diseases to a susceptible host upon contamination or occupational exposure.
In this regard, adding a solidifying agent to liquid biomedical waste reduces the risk of spills and aerosolization. If the solidifying agent contains a disinfectant, it may be possible to dispose the waste as non-regulated medical waste, which is less expensive than red-bagging. Solid wastes such as cotton, sharps as well as tissues may also lead to spread of infections and simple absorbers or hypochlorites are not always capable of treating such solid wastes. Acrylate based gelators and super absorbent polymers are used in the treatment of fluidic medical waste. Such materials are, however, not easily recycled and are non-biodegradable.
In an attempt to prioritize the R&D activities towards the national demand in mitigating the spread of the pandemic, the team at CSIR-NIIST developed potential candidates for spontaneous disinfection and immobilization of pathogenic biomedical waste using a dual disinfection-solidification system. The R&D team includes Dr. A. Ajayaghosh (Director), Dr. Sreejith Shankar, Dr. U. S. Hareesh, Dr. P. Sujatha Devi, Dr. S. Savithri and Dr. Rajeev K. Sukumaran.
This system, with inherent antimicrobial activity, is capable of disinfecting both liquid as well as solid samples, and results in gelation, flocculation or complete solidification of the waste instantaneously upon mixing. >99.9% microbial disinfection was observed within 1 minute of contact and the treated waste may be disposed as non-regulated medical waste subject to regulatory approval. Segregation, transportation and disposal of such disinfected medical waste are easier and safer with significant reduction in cost for a healthcare facility.
The team has tested and validated several fluid and solid biomedical waste models including aqueous waste with high salt and sugar concentrations, proteins, highly oxidizing and toxic metal salts, hospital chemicals such as iodine solution, models of urine, saliva and blood, bacterial broths, cotton, tissues, swabs, needles, syringes, and mixtures in the laboratory. Accordingly, three families of patents have been filed to ensure IP protection.
The know-how has been transferred to a start-up in Kerala, Bio Vastum Solutions (BVS) Pvt. Ltd. (Angamaly) and was recently demonstrated in full-scale at the industrial facility. CSIR-NIIST along with BVS, aim at an innovative solution for the safe and environment-friendly management of pathogenic biomedical waste. The team is currently working towards a completely biodegradable solidification system that would provide an innovative and sustainable solution to the pathogenic biowaste disposal issues in the country. This technology is fully aligned to the government missions on Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Swachh & Swasthya Bharat and Start-up initiatives.
3. Technology and process-know how for the fabrication of semi-automatic fabrication equipment’s for dye solar modules.
- India was importing expensive machinery for Dye-sensitized Module (DSM) fabrication
- We achieved ‘Indigenization’ by developing semi-automatic fabrication equipment’s with 60-70% cost reduction
- Capable of making cells, master-plates and modules in 5×5, 10×10, 15×15 and 30×30 cm sizes
- Offers the possibility of custom modifications at any stage
- Technology was licensed for commercialization to Elixir Technologies, Bangalore
4. Process/product know-how for the making of invisible fluorescent dyes and pigments; Licensee: HueBright Colors Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore
Counterfeiting of currencies, documents, pharma products, and consumer goods is a global problem resulting in substantial economic losses to the nation and companies associated with it. Incorporating fluorescent markers, either through random distribution (fibers) or by printing (ink formulations), is among the most critical anti-counterfeiting measures used worldwide. These materials are currently imported at inflated costs from various countries, which is a threat to national security and results in forex depletion. In this context, the indigenous development of these materials and technologies that are difficult to duplicate is absolutely indispensable. CSIR-NIIST addressed this challenge by developing fluorescent molecules and pigments with appropriate fluorescence characteristics suitable for security printing. These products would help the existing players (public and private) reduce the expenses in terms of import cost and enable their competence in fluorescence-based security solutions.
