Patent Grant
The Indian Patent Office granted a patent for the invention titled “Improved Oral Drug Absorption Study Cell” to a team of researchers at Chandigarh University.
Device Description and Advantages
The patented apparatus is an energy‑efficient, economical laboratory device intended for accurate oral drug absorption studies. It incorporates an extended side arm that allows the everted intestinal tissue to remain in a natural U‑shaped position, reducing tissue stress and variability. The design provides improved temperature uniformity, better mixing of the drug solution, and greater operational stability, which together generate more accurate and reproducible experimental data. Constructed from laboratory‑grade borosilicate and Teflon‑coated glass, the device is durable, precise, and more compact than conventional equipment, simplifying fabrication, handling, and laboratory workflow.
Cost and Operational Impact
The redesign lowers operational costs by 40 percent relative to traditional drug absorption apparatuses. Energy consumption is reduced because the device eliminates the need for additional heating arrangements, further decreasing overall operating expenses.
Development Team
The innovation was developed by Prof. (Dr.) S.S. Sehgal and Prof. (Dr.) Manish Goswami (former professor at the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences), both affiliated with Chandigarh University.
Expected Applications
The device is expected to benefit pharmaceutical industry R&D centres, drug discovery and development units, contract research organisations (CROs), clinical research organisations, universities, pharmacy colleges, government research laboratories, and regulatory testing laboratories where drug absorption studies are routinely performed for formulation development, pre‑clinical research, and oral medicine evaluation.
Significance
By delivering more reliable and cost‑effective absorption data, the device can enable earlier optimisation of oral formulations, reduce the incidence of failed studies, shorten development timelines, and support the creation of safer, more effective oral medicines for patients worldwide.