Manipal :

Dr C. Ganesh Pai, Professor and Head of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal has been awarded a research grant of Rs 49.92 lakh for the project titled: “Thiopurine Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Optimizing Existing Strategies”.

The research is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of incurable chronic intestinal diseases that contribute to a lot of suffering.

Currently available treatment options work well at best in half the patients suffering from these conditions leaving thereby a large unmet need.

The project is expected to identify ways of improving the proportions of patients who benefit from currently available, affordable drugs belonging to the class of thiopurines and also decrease the adverse events from these drugs. The research will also lay the groundwork for designing newer drugs related to thiopurine compounds which are more effective in IBD.

Medical Superintendent and COO of Kasturba Hospital Manipal Dr M Dayananda said: This type of funding is available only for established research leaders to pursue ground-breaking, high-in-tensity projects that open new directions and advancements in their respective research fields. Selection of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department at Kasturba Hospital depicts the advanced treatment modalities and quality of care for patients provided here.

Dr. Krishnamurthy Bhat, Head of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University is a co-investigator on the project, which runs for three years.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / January 22nd, 2016