hours between them. The nanoparticle had to be specifically designed to ensure this. “Engineering the nanoparticle such that it could deliver all the desired results took us about two years,” shares Nitin.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for about 8 million deaths each year. Lung cancer causes the highest number of cancer-related deaths. Currently, India is home to 3 million cancer patients. There is an unusually high incidence of lung cancer among women in rural India, because the use of wooden and coal-based chulhas (stoves) for cooking leads to poor indoor air quality. In other demographics, high exposure to anti-fungal/pest control fumigants and high rate of smoking tobacco are primary reasons.
“This technology can make lung cancer treatment as simple as inhaling asthma medicine. In case of lung cancer, aerosols can be used to inhale drug-containing nanoparticles, which reach the lungs and specifically attack the lung cancer cells. For all other cancer types, these nanoparticles can be injected intravenously and would have the same selectivity and efficacy.”
In 2011, Nitin and his guide filed a product patent for the engineered lipid nanoparticles and a process patent for the targeted drug delivery. The process of filing the patent was supported by IIT.
Though the technology would be a big boon to lung cancer patients, the treatment cost is difficult to estimate with full accuracy as yet. The validation cycle for pharmaceutical products is long and several approvals are required before they can be commercialized.
“The costs can be accurately estimated only when the drug is ready to hit the market. However, it should be much cheaper than the best cancer treatment available today.”
Nitin was awarded at the International Conference on Nano Science and Technology (ICONSAT), Mumbai in 2010 for his research. This was followed by an award by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. In July 2011, with financial support from IIT, Nitin presented his research at the Gordon Research Conference, Maine, USA. He also showcased his work at the American Association for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington DC in October 2011. Nitin was featured on the 2012 TR35 India list, a list of most innovative Indians prepared by MIT Technology Review.
Nitin is also a trained classical singer and has been learning from an early age. After years of hiatus, he resumed training his vocal chords after getting into IIT.
Nitin is now continuing his research on nanoparticle – based targeted drug delivery as a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard Medical College, USA and wishes to pursue an academic career.
For the Innovator in You
“For anyone who wishes to be involved in academic research, choosing the right institution and right guide can be a make-or-break decision. You may not have all the facilities at a second-tier university, or you may lose interest if your guide is not enthusiastic and supportive.
Biotechnology is particularly good for academic research in India these days, because the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) provides good financial support for it. In fact, most of my research work was funded through grants from the DST and DBT. So, if your field of research is related to biotechnology, you can definitely benefit from one of DBT’s several schemes.”
Aniruddha Sharma (left) and Prateek Bumb (right) with N R Narayanamurthy (center)
CO 2 Removal Technology
Prateek grew up in a typical, close-knit Marwari joint family in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Heavily influenced by his brother, Prateek chose to study Commerce in Class XI, in order to follow in his brother’s footsteps and become a chartered accountant. As fate would have it, he was forced to move to Kota when his father moved his business interests there.
Kota was a small, sleepy town in Rajasthan, known for its fine-grained limestone, until Mr VK Bansal, an
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for about 8 million deaths each year. Lung cancer causes the highest number of cancer-related deaths. Currently, India is home to 3 million cancer patients. There is an unusually high incidence of lung cancer among women in rural India, because the use of wooden and coal-based chulhas (stoves) for cooking leads to poor indoor air quality. In other demographics, high exposure to anti-fungal/pest control fumigants and high rate of smoking tobacco are primary reasons.
“This technology can make lung cancer treatment as simple as inhaling asthma medicine. In case of lung cancer, aerosols can be used to inhale drug-containing nanoparticles, which reach the lungs and specifically attack the lung cancer cells. For all other cancer types, these nanoparticles can be injected intravenously and would have the same selectivity and efficacy.”
In 2011, Nitin and his guide filed a product patent for the engineered lipid nanoparticles and a process patent for the targeted drug delivery. The process of filing the patent was supported by IIT.
Though the technology would be a big boon to lung cancer patients, the treatment cost is difficult to estimate with full accuracy as yet. The validation cycle for pharmaceutical products is long and several approvals are required before they can be commercialized.
“The costs can be accurately estimated only when the drug is ready to hit the market. However, it should be much cheaper than the best cancer treatment available today.”
Nitin was awarded at the International Conference on Nano Science and Technology (ICONSAT), Mumbai in 2010 for his research. This was followed by an award by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. In July 2011, with financial support from IIT, Nitin presented his research at the Gordon Research Conference, Maine, USA. He also showcased his work at the American Association for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington DC in October 2011. Nitin was featured on the 2012 TR35 India list, a list of most innovative Indians prepared by MIT Technology Review.
Nitin is also a trained classical singer and has been learning from an early age. After years of hiatus, he resumed training his vocal chords after getting into IIT.
Nitin is now continuing his research on nanoparticle – based targeted drug delivery as a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard Medical College, USA and wishes to pursue an academic career.
For the Innovator in You
“For anyone who wishes to be involved in academic research, choosing the right institution and right guide can be a make-or-break decision. You may not have all the facilities at a second-tier university, or you may lose interest if your guide is not enthusiastic and supportive.
Biotechnology is particularly good for academic research in India these days, because the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) provides good financial support for it. In fact, most of my research work was funded through grants from the DST and DBT. So, if your field of research is related to biotechnology, you can definitely benefit from one of DBT’s several schemes.”
Aniruddha Sharma (left) and Prateek Bumb (right) with N R Narayanamurthy (center)
CO 2 Removal Technology
Prateek grew up in a typical, close-knit Marwari joint family in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Heavily influenced by his brother, Prateek chose to study Commerce in Class XI, in order to follow in his brother’s footsteps and become a chartered accountant. As fate would have it, he was forced to move to Kota when his father moved his business interests there.
Kota was a small, sleepy town in Rajasthan, known for its fine-grained limestone, until Mr VK Bansal, an
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