(a) whether there is a programme `Drugs from Sea`;
(b) if so, the salient features thereof;
(c) the amount spent on this programme so far and the allocations made for the
year 2001-2002;
(d) whether any efforts have been made towards transfer of this technology of
drugs from sea to the pharmaceutical companies for commercial use; and
(e) if so, the details in this regard?
MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The National Project on `Drugs from Sea` initiated in 1991 with 10
participating institutes has collected and evaluated more than 4000 samples out
of 1400 numbers of marine flora and fauna for their biological activity. Several of
these samples were found to exhibit mild to strong therapeutic activities like
antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, antihyperlipidaemic, etc from various fractions
derived therefrom. Three organisms or extracts were taken up for further
development. These are given below:
- CDR-134D-123 (Antidiabetic) - CDR-134D-125 (Antidiarrhoeal) - CU002/004 (Antihyperlipidaemic)