Unique Pharma Claims Discovery Of 20 New Molecules

Unique Pharmaceuticals, a division of Mumbai-based J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, has achieved a breakthrough in its research & development initiatives by discovering 20 new molecules in the anti-inflammatory segment, the company said in a press release here today.

Unique, which is looking for collaborations for these molecules, has shortlisted three of the 20 molecules and will start toxicology and trials soon.

The company has filed patents in the US and South Africa and is expecting to get its "notice of allowance" from the US patent office soon. The patent office has already accepted the claim, a company press release said.

The animal pharmacodynamic studies for anti-inflammatory activity has revealed promising results and this activity was studied in animal models such as Carraggan-induced hind paw oedema in rats.

The studies have revealed that some of them such as JB-7/G have shown potent anti-inflammatory activity compared to ibuprofen and nimesulide.

Considering their structures, the molecules could have a probable COX2 inhibitory activity, the press release said.

Unique Pharmaceuticals also plans to file two abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) in quinolones during the next six months.

The company has converted its manufacturing unit in Thane into its R&D centre and currently employs 25 scientists.

The company spent about 1.6 per cent of its turnover on research and development for the period ended December 31, 2001. It hopes to spend another Rs 50 crore in this area over the next three years.