Chennai, Feb 13 (IANS): SRM University here plans to launch its US patented herbal diabetic drug in about six months.

Vice Chancellor M. Ponnavaikko told IANS: "We have incorporated a company, SRM Pharma Ltd. In another six months we may launch the drug. We can get the drug manufactured from a unit in north India."

In December, the US Patent office granted patent for a herbal formulation for prevention and management of type-2 diabetes mellitus and vascular complications associated with the disease.

A six member team of researchers led by Govind Prasad Dubey and comprising Aruna Agrawal, Nirupama Dubey, Shipra Dubey, Rajesh Dubey and Samamtsan Mercy Deborah invented the drug and secured the patent that was assigned to SRM University, said Ponnavaikko.

Type-II diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder primarily characterised by insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia, states the background notes on the invention.

It is rapidly increasing in the developed countries and there is evidence this will spread to the rest of the world in coming years.

According to Ponnavaikko, the university has filed two more inventions for patent with the US patent office.

"We will shortly file patent application for two more herbal drugs for menopause, cardiovascular and obesity problems," he said.