MSU research scholar gets ‘Scholar-in-Training Award’

Sachin Naik,a research scholar in M S University’s (MSU) Pharmacy department,has been conferred with the ‘Scholar-in-Training Award’ by the American Association of Cancer Research for his contribution to the Nanoparticulate drug system. Naik has been invited to San Deigo,where the award distribution ceremony will be held next month.

Naik told Newsline,“Nanoparticulate drug system is a new concept. At present,the drug delivery system is related to pure drug injection,which has toxic effects on other parts of the body. But in Nanoparticulate drug system,the drug is loaded on nano particles,made up of amino acids. The drug,made up of Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic (RGD) Acid,targets only the cancerous cells around the breast area. Unlike most cancer treatments,this drug treatment does not have side effects. It will cost around Rs 15,000 per dose once it is out in the market.”

He added: “Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in India. According to a study conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),there will be 250,000 new cases of breast cancer in India by 2015. At present,India reports around 100,000 new cases annually.”

Experts from MSU’s Pharmacy department said very few institutes like the Central Drug Research Institute,Lucknow,are doing research in the field of Pharmacy. Prof Ambikanandan Misra from the department said: “We have approached the Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission as such a breakthrough has taken place for the first time in Gujarat.”