Indian pharmaceutical companies are considering venturing into the production of nutraceuticals under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, leveraging their expertise in advanced technologies, including modified drug delivery systems, sterile parenteral nutrition, and the development of sterile parenteral nutrition for intravenous administration, blended granules, and powders.
According to DBA Narayana, the Indian pharmaceutical industry possesses the capability to enhance the taste and palatability of these products better than current imported offerings. They can also develop stable products tailored for the Indian and Asian populations and have the expertise in measurement science to ensure the presence of desired nutrients while eliminating undesired ones. Furthermore, the industry has the potential to produce specific nutrients on a commercial scale domestically.
Lactose intolerance, a well-known condition for decades, has gained increasing attention due to its connection to infant and child fatalities. This condition, which arises from a genetic disorder that hinders lactose metabolism, affects a significant portion of the population. Narayana notes that although this issue has existed for some time, it has not been taken as seriously as it should be.
Products designed for infants with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are primarily imported, creating a growing market not only in India but across Asia. There is a pressing need for innovation in this area to manufacture specialized dietary products tailored to individual IEM disorders. Additionally, there is a demand for the domestic production of such products, the development of screening test kits, and their availability at an affordable cost to the Indian and Asian populations. While these products fall under food regulations, the Indian pharmaceutical industry’s capabilities make the process relatively straightforward.
IEMs typically result from defects in specific protein enzymes responsible for metabolizing certain food components. Examples of IEMs include organic acidurias, fatty acid oxidation defects, urea cycle disorders, mitochondrial diseases, galactosemia, maple syrup urine disease, fructose intolerance, and phenylketonuria, among others.
Advances in scientific research over the past two decades have made it possible to detect these disorders at very early stages through newborn screening tests. Infants with IEM disorders must follow strict dietary restrictions throughout their lives to avoid consuming foods that trigger abnormal metabolic responses.
There is a significant opportunity for innovation in the Indian pharmaceutical industry to develop products tailored for infants and children with IEM, ranging from 0-6 months, 6-12 months, and beyond, in powdered form. These products are carefully blended with proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, with a specific focus on addressing the dietary needs of individual IEM conditions. For example, products for maple syrup urine disease should be free from isoleucine, leucine, and valine, while those for glutaric acidemia Type 1 should exclude lysine and tryptophan. Dr. Narayana emphasizes that India
