Vadodara Researcher's Innovation: Freeze-Dried Technology That Improves Longevity of Cancer Drugs
Vadodara: In a major boost for cancer treatment and drug stability, researchers have developed a new freeze-dried formulation that can significantly extend the shelf life and post-reconstitution stability of key anticancer drugs, including Bortezomib and Pemetrexed. The innovation is expected to reduce drug wastage, improve availability, and enhance treatment outcomes, particularly in regions facing storage and logistics challenges.
The breakthrough has been achieved by Pratik Vora, a PhD graduate in pharmaceutical sciences from Parul University (PU), Vadodara. The research focused on improving the stability of anticancer drugs that are highly sensitive to oxygen and environmental exposure. According to the findings, the new formulation can increase the shelf life of these drugs from nearly two years to up to three years.
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Laboratory testing under accelerated and harsh conditions showed that the newly developed formulation retained over 99% potency even after six months, compared to about 95% potency in currently marketed formulations. This improved stability is crucial, as medicines are generally considered unsafe or ineffective once their potency drops below 90%.
Another key advantage of the innovation is its performance after reconstitution. Once mixed for patient use, the reformulated drugs remained effective for more than 72 hours, nearly three times longer than existing products, which typically begin losing potency within 24 hours. This extended usability could help hospitals and oncology centres minimise wastage and optimise dosing schedules.
In addition to stability, biological testing demonstrated improved cellular-level efficacy, suggesting that the formulation may not only preserve the drug longer but also enhance its therapeutic performance. Experts believe this could be particularly beneficial in areas with limited cold-chain infrastructure or extreme climatic conditions.
According to a recent media report in The Times of India, the technology has received an Indian patent and is jointly credited to Pratik Vora, PU president Dr Devanshu Patel, research guide Rakesh Patel, and Abhay Dharamsi.
Vora, who currently heads the intellectual property rights division at a pharmaceutical company, stated that the formulation is ready for commercial adoption by generic drug manufacturers, paving the way for wider availability of more stable and effective cancer medicines.
