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Tobacco institute plans export of cancer drug

Staff Reporter

Awaits nod from Indian Council of Medical Research

V. Krishna Murthy

Rajahmundry : The Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI) is likely to get the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research soon to sign MoUs with pharmaceutical companies for selling and exporting `solensol' (tobacco extract for curing cancer), according to its Director V. Krishna Murthy.

He has also said that tobacco farmers will be able to extract edible oil with rich contents and zero per cent cholesterol by 2010. Oil extracts from tobacco is now being used by soap, detergent and semi-drying units.

Speaking to The Hindu after taking over as Director, CTRI, Mr. Murthy said the institute received a number of applications from different companies for the tobacco extract, but it was awaiting the council clearance.

"The institute has already started supplying crude content of `solensol' to four industries -- one each in Guntur and Vijayawada and two in Hyderabad," said Mr. Murthy.

Focus on five areas

He said the CTRI would mainly concentrate on five issues for research in the next five years. The focus would be on production of hybrids, reducing the cost of cultivation by multiplying crop management practices, good environment, health of consumer and reduction of harmful contents in tobacco leaf.

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