Cost of bone grafting, dental filling to come down

KOLKATA - The cost of medical treatment involving bone grafting or dental filling could come down in India with the Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI) Sunday signing an agreement for low-cost application of the technology with private player IFGL Refractories Limited.

In the latest instance of institute-industry tie-up, the CGCRI - a constituent laboratory of India’s largest research and development conglomerate Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - signed an agreement with IFGL for the low-cost application.

The product was likely to be ready for commercial production within nine months, said IFGL director and chief executive Pradeep Bajoria, at the signing ceremony which coincided with the 67th CSIR foundation day.

“The cost of the treatment using such coatings will be much less than the expenses involved in using similar substances imported from the US,” said CSIR director general Samir Brahmachary.

Explaining the technology, CGCRI Bio-Ceramic and Coatings Division head Debabrata Basu said: “These coatings are made of bio-ceramic materials like synthetic hydroxyapatite and beta tricalcium phosphate and their combinations having the exact composition of bones. They will be long-lasting and free of wear and tear”.

Earlier, CGCRI had transferred know-how to IFGL for manufacturing a synthetic hydroxyapatite-based ocular implant developed as a substitute for lost natural eye ball.

“It is becoming popular gradually. Now every month, 50 such implants are done. We are planning a series of events to sensitise the eye surgeons,” said IFGL company secretary Rajesh Agarwal.

Brahmachari said CSIR now had 38 laboratories in various parts of the country and covers a large number of subject areas aimed at making the country self-reliant in science and technology.

“It is striving forward along two main fronts. One is for competitive industrial growth through advanced engineering materials, smart materials, novel drugs and bio-therapeutics etc.

“The second front is meant for sustainable inclusive growth through potable and affordable water, energy conservation and sustainable energy, affordable health care etc,” he said.

The CSIR was also in the process of setting up six innovation centres in the country. “One of them will be set up at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district, where the leading edge scientific science and technology activities will be pursued by the CSIIR laboratories in West Bengal,” he said.

Another possible venue is Delhi. “The proposal is now with the Planning Commission”.