Technology Award for PU Professor

Date of Submission: 2007-05-09 16:54:36

CHANDIGARH: 09.05.2007:Professor O.P. Katare, Chairperson, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UGC Centre for Advanced Studies), Panjab University, Chandigarh, has been chosen by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India, New Delhi for the highest award conferred for technology development commercialized for the benefit of the society. The selection of Prof. Katare for their coveted award of “Biotech Products, Process Development & Commercialization Award” for the year 2007 has been done in recognition to his research in the area of Drug Delivery that lead to the recent development of a novel liposomal product, PsorisomeTM, for the dreaded skin disease, psoriasis. The technology for PsorisomeTM has already been transferred to M/s Life Care Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon. The product launched on the Technology Day, 11th May 2006, under the aegis of DBT, is now in commercial circulation to alleviate the millions of patients suffering with psoriasis. The award, consisting of a citation and a cash amount of Rs. 1.00 lakh, would be conferred by His Excellency, President of India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on the Technology Day, i.e. 11th May 2007 at New Delhi.A drug delivery scientist par excellence, Professor Katare is recognized globally as an accomplished dignitary in the sphere of phospholipid-structured systems. He has published 38 research papers and review articles in various prestigious peer-reviewed journals, and has 2 book chapters to his credit. Besides, he has filed 5 patent applications till date on various novel formulations of promising drug molecules including peptides for dermal and trans-epidermal delivery. He has successfully guided 3 Ph.D.s and 15 M. Pharm. research theses, and is currently guiding 3 more Ph.D.s. He has handled 5 research projects as Principle Investigator, and is handling several more major research projects from DBT, AICTE and various drug companies. Recognizing Professor O.P. Katare’s contributions, Times of India recently accorded him as “Person of the Year 2006”. Besides, Dr. H. S. Gaur Vishwa Vidalaya, Saugor has honored him with the “Illustrious Alumni Award” in 2006. Recently, International Phospholipid Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany, has bestowed honorary founder-membership on Professor Katare, appointing him on its scientific board of experts represented by seven key scientists across the world. He is also a founder member on the Board of American-Indian Nanomedicine Society, Washington DC, USA. He is a leading consultant to several pharmaceutical houses in India and Germany too. Professor Katare is associated in various ways with several gubernatorial organizations like AICTE, UGC, DBT and DST (Technology Development Programme) too in various capacities. Dr. Katare is on the editorial and reviewer’s board of several International and Indian Journals, and also one the members on AICTE’s national board of pharmaceutical education.

Press Note No.262