The Hindu Business Line : Legal opinion on Jeevani patent yet to emerge, says Dr Valiathan

THE Executive Vice-President of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Dr M.S. Valiathan, has said that he was not sure if the herb `Arogyapacha', rights to which are being contested by US-based companies, could be patented.

Addressing newspersons, Dr Valiathan said that a patent could not be claimed for herbal formulations - only drugs made from herbs qualified.

He was responding to queries on the status of `Jeevani', a herbal extract derived from `Arogyapacha' that is endemic to the Agasthyarkootam biodiversity hotspot in interior Thiruvananthapuram.

A clear legal opinion on the matter is yet to emerge, Dr Valiathan said, adding that the case could be fought only on grounds of trademark violation.

`Jeevani' was developed by the Tropical Botanic Gardens and Research Institute (TBGRI), an autonomous body under the State Government based at nearby Palode, in partnership with the Kani tribals in a pioneering benefit-sharing initiative that attracted worldwide attention.

Five US-based companies have now staked a claim to the `Jeevani' trademark.

Dr Valiathan also announced the launch of the third phase of the `Sastraposhini' programme, which is being extended to cover 16 more schools in the State.

The council will soon set up a world-class School of Mathematics with a Central grant of Rs 4.5 crore.

Renowned mathematician, Dr M.S. Narasimhan, would be associated with the proposed school expected to be operational by 2005.

The council has identified 10 colleges and University departments for strengthening science infrastructure. Finance would be provided to them for buying equipment. Each of these colleges would be given Rs 10 lakh each for two years.

The council has also refurbished its research fellowship programme and the Science Research Scheme.

Acting in concert with a Swedish company, the council would be submitting a techno-economic plan for improving the State's inland waterway system. Some 60 km of the canal network have already been identified for a pilot project. Work on growing and eventually exporting hybrid orchids is on in collaboration with a French company.

The tissue culture activity for the purpose would be done at the TBGRI as well as at Munnar. It is hoped that standardisation of techniques would be achieved in the next two years.

Dr Valiathan said that the main objective of the `Sastraposhini' scheme was to stimulate interest in science at the school level by enabling students to perform experiments in physics, chemistry, and biology.

The students would be provided hands-on experience in observation, inference, interaction and self-designing of tests. The State Education Department is giving assistance in setting up the model laboratories envisaged under this project.

Apart from students, teachers are also encouraged to carry out innovative projects in science education for children.

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