As the world's first dairy-based nano-biotechnology factory is readying for commercial production in Kheda district of Gujarat, there are very high hopes for the product, branded 'Receptol'. It is described as likely to bring in a paradigm shift in the pharmaceutical world by helping cure most of the diseases we encounter today, barring some genetic disorders.
Funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Mumbai-based Biomix Network has completed phase-III clinical trials of Receptol, a broad spectrum antiviral and immune modulator for the treatment of HIV, hepatitis and other viral and recurrent fungal and bacterial infections.
DST has agreed to fund one of the largest clinical trials of the country for tuberculosis (TB) and multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB, involving 1,000 patients.
Biomix is currently awaiting a nod from the Drug Controller General of India to conduct the trials.
"Receptol is a recipe for all, covering 90 per cent of diseases that we encounter today. We plan to launch over 30 products over a period of five years, subject to necessary government approvals. These products will be specially designed by isolating the specific nano-peptides which are active in curing diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, swine flu, bird flu, allergies, asthma, some forms of cancer, even neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. This could be the next big thing after Penicillin," Pawan Saharan, chairman of Biomix Network told Business Standard.
The product was launched at Mumbai airport few months back on a trial basis to check swine flu, and Saharan plans to make it available at 160 airports across the world over three to four years.
The company has roped in Amul (the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation) for collecting bovine lacteal sources or the 'first milk' from cows after a calf is born, and has managed to extract nano-peptides that act as active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). It has patented the compound in India as Radha-108.
The company has approval to market the product in South Africa and New Zealand, and had filed an application with the US regulator, the FDA, recently.
When sprayed in the mouth, these nano-peptides reach the heart, from where it is pumped around the body and eventually block pores on the cell surface that are a gateway to viruses and also heighten the immune system in case of a viral attack, is the explanation.
Bimix's plant has a capacity to manufacture 2 million doses per month of Receptol spray, based on Radha-108. It has been set up at the premises of Amul's cheese manufacturing facility at Khakhraj with an investment of Rs 50 crore in the first phase. The company plans to raise $25 million (Rs 115 crore). It would use the funds for expansion of the facility at Khakhraj and for a facility in the US as well.
"We have already tied up with a multinational pharma company in the US to set up a manufacturing facility,” Saharan claimed, without giving details.
The phase-I trials for Receptol carried on in the US in 2004 at the Ohio State University, phase- II in the same year at Nairobi, while phase-III trials were conducted in Rwanda in Africa. "The results were presented before the government of India on December 1, 2004, after which the Ministry of Health conducted revalidation trials under the aegis of the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) in October 2005," Saharan informed.
The National Aids Control Organisation's apex research committee approval and funding for Phase-III Receptol Trial happened in December 2005.
A Phase-III study for Receptol was conducted onr 50 HIV seropositive patients at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, in 2006.
The DST funded Rs 12.18 crore for the trials and has agreed to provide funding worth Rs 24 crore for the TB trials over 1,000 patients.
The company now plans to launch different formulations for Receptol by tying up with domestic pharmaceutical companies.
While talks are on, Saharan did not want to give out details. He, however, added that a region-wise launch of Receptol is in the offing in two to three months and that the product would be available through Amul outlets across the country. The company has an understanding with Amul for sourcing of raw material and is working on a revenue-sharing contract as well.
"We plan to touch a turnover of Rs 100 crore by next (financial) year and the global turnover should touch $100 million over the next three years," Saharan said. Receptol's 96 ml bottle will be priced at around Rs 250.
