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Dr Villoo Morawala Patell

Our Bureau

Bangalore, April 23 Avesthagen Ltd unveiled its fenugreek-based whole-wheat cracker which, it said, lowers blood sugar levels among insulin-independent diabetics.

The cracker is the first food-cum-drug product from Avesthagen’s R&D and contains one of the initial seven proprietary disease-fighting ingredients or ‘bio-actives’ that it launched recently, its founder and CMD, Dr Villoo Morawala Patell, told a news conference here on Wednesday.

Similar products for bone health, cardiac care and advanced diabetes would follow, she said. Avesthagen plans to have its first batch of bio-actives — branded Avesta — in crackers, bars, breakfast cereals or as capsules.

The cracker is part of Avesthagen’s Good Earth range of crackers and muesli and will be available over the counter in consumer markets from May 15, said Mr Sandip Dang, CEO of Avesta Good Earth. Avesthagen is planning a multi-media promotional campaign. A 100g pack is priced at Rs 32.

The anti-diabetic cracker contains Teestar, a single herb active developed by Avesthagen. Teestar’s efficacy has been proven in trials on healthy volunteers and diabetics. It could even replace (type-2) diabetic medication and stop you from slipping into insulin dependence, Dr Patell said.

Teestar itself, with validated blood glucose managing properties, will be available as a dietary supplement too. The bio-actives are made at Good Earth’s Malur facility that also makes 40 products.

The company is working on a plan to tap the capital market. Dr Patell as the promoter holds 35 per cent of the stake, while ICICI Ventures, Fidelity International and NY Life hold stakes as also strategic investors including Tata Industries, Godrej Industries, French companies — Groupe Danone’s arm Daninvest, Limagrain and bioMérieux. Foreign investment is at 31 per cent.

Biopharmaeuticals from the Avesthagen stable have also been planned for launch around mid-2009, starting with products for cancer and anaemia.

It is developing many biosimilars jointly with Cipla Ltd and is also viewing acquisitions.

More Stories on : New Products & Services | Pharmaceuticals | Health

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