An Indo-Israeli joint venture has developed a unique combination of two human proteins, which kills cells that cause asthma and allergy.
Century Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Baroda that spearheaded the project got the Lockheed Martin Innovation Gold Award here for the same.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Managing Director of Century Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Janak Sheth said, "More than 100 million patients suffer from asthma and allergies the world over according to a WHO report. Out of this 10-20 million patients are in India".
He said, "Currently only steroid nasal sprays and anti allergic medicines are available. Though, therapeutic antibody treatments are available in USA, they are facing FDA warnings," Sheth added.
He also explained that the drug being developed under the joint venture would give effective treatment for at least one year. A low dosage of treatment would be required and there will not be any side effects.
The technology involves creating an apoptotic human protein by fusing two proteins. Apoptotic proteins are those that enter the cells causing allergies and asthma and destroys them.