Akums Drugs secures patent for room temperature stable oral suspension of Hydroxyurea recommended for sickle cell disease

New Delhi: Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest India focused Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMO), has been awarded a patent for its Room Temperature Stable Oral Suspension of Hydroxyurea, a breakthrough formulation aimed at managing Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

This development offers a significant advance in addressing the storage and accessibility challenges associated with Hydroxyurea solution.

Sickle Cell Disease, a genetic blood disorder, leads to severe health complications such as anemia, frequent pain episodes and other debilitating symptoms, affecting millions worldwide especially in India and Africa. According to the 2011 Census, 8.6% of India’s population is from tribal communities, many of whom are disproportionately affected by SCD. Addressing this pressing public health issue, Akums’ new formulation offers a key advantage over traditional Hydroxyurea solution that require refrigeration between 2–8°C. The new oral suspension remains stable at room temperature, providing a practical solution for widespread distribution, particularly in the tribal areas with limited access to cold storage facilities.

Commenting on this milestone, Sanjeev Jain, Managing Director of Akums, said, “We are proud to have secured this patent for a formulation that has the potential to improve the lives of countless SCD patients both in India and Africa. At Akums, we are committed to delivering innovative healthcare solutions that address real-world challenges and positively impact patient outcomes. Our constant endeavor is to work on affordable medicines for Orphan Drugs and reduce dependency on imported medicines ensuring patient safety from rare diseases with timely and necessary treatment.”

Sandeep Jain added further, “This patent reflects our dedication to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and our commitment to offering affordable, high-quality pharmaceutical solutions as envisioned by the Government of India. We continue to prioritize innovation to make essential treatments accessible and cost-effective for all. Tribal communities make up 67.8 million people across various states in India. Many within these communities are disproportionately affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). We are happy that our R&D scientists have provided a much required formulation that is suitable for all age groups, especially pediatric and adolescent patients suffering from SCD. Our innovative oral suspension remains stable at room temperature, ensuring greater accessibility and providing an efficient solution for widespread distribution, particularly in tribal areas where cold storage facilities are scarce.”