Caviunin scaffold containing drug is the first orally administered drug with both anti-catabolic (prevention of bone breakdown) and anabolic (new bone formation) properties and is ready for Phase 2 clinical trial
Drug has broad applications for bone health - osteoporosis, fracture healing, osteoarthritis and other endocrinological conditions

CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, one of the premier drug research institutions in the world and Aveta Biomics, USA, a leader in developing the next generation of botanical drugs based on its evolutionary biology platform, joined their hands and announced today the exclusive licensing to Aveta Biomics of CDRI's patented technology of Caviunin-based drug compositions for further clinical development and commercialization.

Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 years will suffer an osteoporotic fractureⁱ. In the US alone, an estimated 10 million people over the age of 50 years have osteoporosis and one in two women in the United States will sustain a fragility fracture in her lifetimeⁱⁱ. Over 43 million more people in the US have low bone mass, putting them at increased risk for osteoporosisⁱⁱⁱ. Globally, in 2019, there were 178 million new fractures and 455 million prevalent cases of consequences associated with a fracture^iv. According to Indian Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ISBMR), India, 50 million Indian women suffer from osteoporosis^v.

"Osteoporosis is a chronic condition requiring a life-long treatment. Approved treatment duration of currently available drugs ranges from 1 to 5 years (depending on the drug) due to waning efficacy and increasing risk of adverse events. Caviunin-based therapeutic has a huge potential to change the standard of care for osteoporosis. The potential benefit risk profile is expected to be second to none with desirable efficacy and safety for long-term use," said Dr. Parag G. Mehta, CEO of Aveta Biomics, USA. "We are excited to bring these new drugs to the patients and pleased that we can benefit from deep scientific know-how of CDRI team."

Dr. Ritu Trivedi's group from the Endocrinology Division (CDRI) has shown that the Caviunin scaffold has a targeted action that prevents bone breakdown, stimulates new bone formation and reduces bone turnover markers^vi.

This decade-long research at CDRI, provides an insight to develop the first-in-class drug that is likely to modulate the host microbiome. "This license is a testament to the calibre of our innovative science and demonstrates the value of strong research productivity of our world-class scientists. We joined hands with Aveta Biomics given their track record of obtaining four clinical INDs of their botanical drugs for several cancer indications from the US FDA. We expect, therefore, translation of CDRI's research into real drugs for people living with bone-related conditions," said Dr. Prof. Tapas Kumar Kundu, Director of CDRI.

The terms of the license remain confidential.

About Aveta Biomics

Aveta Biomics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Boston area in the USA. Using evolutionary-biology powered platform, the Company develops the next generation of botanically-derived combination therapeutics. The company has four clinical programs for Head & Neck Cancer, Brain Cancer, and chronic Graft Versus Host Diseases (cGVHD).

About CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow

CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), a premier drug research institute of India was inaugurated on 17th Feb 1951 by the then Prime Minister of India with a vision to strengthen and advance the field of drug research and development in the country. The Institute has significant accomplishments in the pursuit of its mission to develop new drugs & technologies for affordable healthcare for all, generation of knowledge base, and nurture future leaders for the healthcare sector. It has a state-of-the-art bone research program that discovered the Caviunin-based drug composition. Today, it has become a unique model for modern drug research in India. The achievements of the Institute include the discovery and development of 12 new drugs, and the transfer of more than 100 indigenous technologies to the pharmaceutical companies; a significant contribution to the metamorphosis of the Indian Pharma Industry.