India Business Journal - Trident Lifeline, NIPER-A partnership develops Vorinostat cancer drug

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Trident Lifeline, NIPER-A partnership develops Vorinostat cancer drug

IBJ Bureau
Mar 03, 2025

Trident Lifeline, a rapidly-expanding small and medium enterprise (SME), has joined hands with NIPER-Ahmedabad (NIPER-A), an institute of national importance under the Union government’s Department of Pharmaceuticals, has achieved a significant milestone in bringing critical cancer drug Vorinostat to Indian patients.

An MoU has been signed between Trident Lifeline Director Hardik Desai and NIPER-A Director Shailendra Saraf on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, symbolising the collaborative spirit and dedication behind this endeavour.

Currently, Vorinostat is not manufactured within India, forcing patients to rely on expensive imported versions, such as Zolinza, which commands a price of approximately Rs 14 lakh. Recognising the urgent need for a more affordable and accessible solution, a dedicated team at NIPER A, under the astute leadership of Mr Saraf and project investigator Ravi P Shah, has embarked on a three-year research and development journey.

The team, comprising Dr Derajram Benival, Dr Dinesh Kumar, Dr Amol Dikundwar, Dr Pinaki Sengupta and Dr Rajesh Nadiminti, along with enthusiastic NIPER-A students, have meticulously worked on developing a generic version of Vorinostat. Their efforts have encompassed the entire drug development process, from the synthesis of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to the precise formulation of the capsule.

Vorinostat is one of the crucial medications for treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL), a rare blood-originated skin cancer. CTCL originates in T cells or T lymphocytes, vital components of the body’s immune system.