IICT Transfers Diabetic Foot Ulcer Technology to Viridis Biopharma

The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad has transferred an investigational new drug (IND)-ready phytopharmaceutical technology to private firm Viridis Biopharma Pvt Ltd. Developed from the plant 'Gymnema sylvestre' for treating diabetic foot ulcers, the botanical formulation will now move toward clinical evaluation and regulatory submissions in India and the United States.

The plant used in the therapeutic, 'Gymnema sylvestre', is commonly known as 'Gurmar' or 'Gudmar' in Hindi and 'Podapatri' in Telugu. In addition to treating diabetic foot ulcers, the technology holds potential applications for other chronic wounds and inflammatory skin disorders.

Under the technology transfer agreement, Viridis Biopharma Pvt Ltd will manage the next phase of development. This includes submitting regulatory filings to India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to advance the drug into clinical trials. The IND-ready designation signifies that the research compound has completed all necessary preclinical laboratory and animal testing, manufacturing assessments, and safety documentation.

The research was conducted by scientists in IICT's department of applied biology under the leadership of Dr Anthony Addlagatta. The initiative was supported through Phase-III of the CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission, a program intended to translate scientifically validated botanical products into clinical therapies.

According to IICT, the drug candidate underwent botanical standardisation, pharmacological evaluation, mechanism-of-action studies, analytical characterisation, pharmacokinetic studies, formulation development, GMP process development, stability evaluation, and GLP-compliant safety studies. The development has also secured patent protection in India and international jurisdictions.

IICT Director Srinivasa Reddy noted that the partnership aims to advance evidence-based botanical drug discovery into global clinical development. Viridis Biopharma Technical Director Anslem de Souza added that the commercial development of this technology addresses a current gap in advanced wound management treatments.