SpicyIP: Ayurgenomics
The Integrated systems of Health Care and Treatment fast gaining popularity could best be explained as the confluence of Ganga, Jamuna, and Saraswathi.
Asias’long standing tradition of herbal treatments has trickled in to Western Pharma, and many blockbuster drugs are herb based. A recent article in the Economist points out
‘Since the latter end of the 20th century, Eastern medicine has also enjoyed resurgence in popularity by patients with access to information on alternatives to undesirable side effects and additives, or who object to animal testing and experimentation.
The Economist suggested India’s herbal medicines, produced from the abundance of herbs and flora found there could become even more popular as the country gears itself up for major pharma expansion.
The Vincristine, Taxol etc essential chemotherapy drugs from the allopathy system are examples of herb based formulations.
The contagion effect is working on the reverse as well.
Ayurveda is all set adopt clinical practices from its western counterpart and transform itself as evidence based medical system.
From setting up guidelines for best industry practices, establishing effective bed to patient healthcare models, Auyrveda is poised for a makeover.
Readers may recall our earlier post on the Herbaldrome Project on Traditional Chinese Medicine. We had recommended that Indian Indigenous Medicine should emulate the exercise to afford a scientific sanctity to the traditional healthcare system.
The CSIR headed by Dr.Samir Brahmachari has spearheaded an initiative that promises to catapult the traditional system of Ayurveda in to the era of modern genomics.
Termed as the ‘Indian Genome Variation Initiative’, this study promises to decode the ancient system of Ayurveda and create a genetic based individualized line of treatment
This study aims to break down the genetic pathology of patients into Kapha, Pitha and Vat types and tailor treatment accordingly.‘From diversity to delivery: The case of the Indian Genome Variation Initiative. This Indian study details how it cannot emulate the West but needs to innovate in the field of genomics in human health for it to be useful for majority of the population.’
The idea of personalized therapeutics based on individual variation has existed for more than 4,000 years in India’s traditional practice of Ayurveda medicine. . Individual variation has resonance with traditional medicine in India which is widely used by nearly 70% of the Indian population. A new field of Ayurgenomics has been initiated which aims to explore this fundamental concept of individual medicine in conjunction with IGV for predictive and personalised medicine.(PIB)
Another interesting development on the Ayurveda front is the innovative method of diagnosis devised by AVP Coimbatore.
The system of examining patients is going to witness a major change as the Coimbatore Arya Vaidhya Pharmacy Research (AVP) director P Ram Manohar has introduced a new system called Random Uninterrupted Documentation for Retrospective Analysis (RUDRA) for the purpose.
And now to a Round Robin mode of questioning. What is the IPR cover for the new line of treatments that are cropping up within the realm of TK.?
Do the traditional IPR doctrines of Patent, TM , Copyright or Trade Secret suffice to protect this unique genre of knowledge that is neither new, old or borrowed! Or do we need to look at entirely new concepts of safeguard and fencing. Can we hope for some levers within the proposed Innovation Act.
Nonetheless, with medical systems merging seamlessly to innovate and provide new healthcare options the stage is set for a harmonious ‘Sangam’ that will meander through some interesting and challenging terrain.
