Dr C.N. Mondal speaks at the meet. (Photograph by Anirban Ghosh)

An epidemic called metabolic syndrome has been on the rampage for the past one decade. It includes diabetes and obesity, which become dangerous when coupled with resistance to insulin, increased level of lipids in the blood and high blood pressure. All these ultimately lead to heart disease and cause death. However, GLP-1, a drug launched last year, has raised some hope. The drug resembles a natural hormone and it not only increases insulin levels, but also prevents destruction of insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas.

Searching for metabolic regulators to cure diseases is the new trend in drug research, said Dr Ranjan Chakrabarti from Dr Reddy’s Laboratories in a seminar on the impact of biotechnology on the the development of the human health care system. The seminar, organised by the Heritage Institute of Technology in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), was held on April 5 and 6 in Kolkata.

In addition to discussions on the recent developments in biotechnology and the causes and cures of various diseases, some of the participants spoke about the growing ties between biotechnology and industry. When molecular biology research started in the late 20th century, nobody thought of its commercial value. But now it has become an integral part of drug research and the industry, said Prof. B.B. Biswas, former director of the Bose Institute. According to him, genetic studies are likely to bring a paradigm shift in the diagnosis of various diseases as well as treatment.

His assertion was somewhat vindicated by the isolation of methyl glyoxal, a chemical found in our bodies, as a likely new treatment against cancer. Prof. Manju Ray from the Indian Association for Cultivation of Science said that methyl glyoxal is particularly effective against cancers of the colon, stomach, ovary, prostate and gall bladder. In the second phase of clinical trials, 76 per cent of patients benefited from this, she added.

Dr Rathindranath Baral from the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute focused on the efficacy of a neem extract in curing cancer with very little side effects.

Dr Chitra Mondal from the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) outlined another approach to cancer treatment. A modified version of sialic acid, a chemical that binds cells together, is associated with tumour formation. Capturing these chemicals with some special molecules can give relief, she said.

Dr Chhabinath Mandal, also from the IICB, discussed the importance of software for the development of new drugs. In a similar vein, Dr Ambika Charan Banerjee from East India Pharmaceutical Works said that the application of science with a commercial approach is the spirit of the pharmaceutical industry. He also discussed the challenges a pharmaceutical company faces in developing a new drug and producing it on a large scale. A drug has to meet some regulations and that increases the cost of research. The biotechnological approach is costlier than conventional methods because here both the product and the process are under check, he added.

Dr Baidya Nath Chakrabarti from the Institute of Reproductive Medicine said that stem cells have the capacity to form any part of the body and can, therefore, be used to replace a damaged organ. He said that researchers have already been successful in developing organs from stem cells.

Discussing the future promises of biotechnology, Dr Saugata Roy from Dey’s Medical gave a detailed record of vaccine development right, from Edward Jenner to the present day. India is not far behind in developing new age vaccines, he concluded. Indian researchers of late have successfully developed a DNA vaccine against rotavirus.