U.S Based Nigeria Researcher, Patrick Chukwuemeka Okoye, Has Been Awarded First U.S Patent On Modified Cassava Starch For Pharmaceutical Use In Medicine

Through his combination of diligent work and pharmaceutics knowledge, Patrick Chukwuemeka Okoye, PhD, has been awarded the first U.S Patent on Modified Cassava Starch for Pharmaceutical Use in medicines.

The patent number is 12,133,918 B2, titled: “Partially Pre-gelatinized Cassava Starch as Pharmaceutical Excipient.”

The other values derivable from this work

He cited the “use of modified starches in nutraceutical, animal feed, cosmetic and pharmaceutical drug making…. It is increasingly common as these ingredients serve as binders, disintegrating agents and fillers for cosmetics products, drug tablets and capsules.“

Patrick Chukwuemeka Okoye spoke to Elorablog in this interview

Educational background?

I graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in the 1992 with a degree in Pharmacy.

After moving to the USA, I continued my research at the Long Island University, New York and earned doctorate degrees in Pharmaceutics in 2014.

I have published severally in Pharmaceuticals Journals and most recently a published author of “Magnesium Stearate Handbook”, a book on the major lubricant used in pharmaceutical solid dosage products.

You recently got recognized as the first United States Patent on Cassava Starch in medicines, how do you feel about this achievements?

It is quite an honour and I’m humbled by the award. It was unexpected as many applications got rejected in the tedious patent process , so I’m very excited to have been awarded this patent.

In your patent, you created modified cassava starch that performs better than other modified starches when used in medicines, how did you achieve this?

We focused on finding alternatives to expensive ingredients that’s used today to produce medicines, we also wanted to empower the local farming communities and also try to focus on how to reduce material food waste

What’s the future for medicine with your invention?

We see this invention as the door-opener for the global farming communities to recognize the importance of neglected food items to medicine.

We all have the obligation to conserve food and the environment

Today in Nigeria, about 20% of usable cassava starch is wasted due to poor storage and post-harvest inefficiencies, this waste translate up to sixty (60) billion dollars worth of cough medicines.

What inspired you to start up your research ?

Growing up in a small farming town of Umuoji, I remembered going to the farmland to plant cassava, yam and vegetables with my mom, my interest in cassava continued through pharmacy school due to difficulties we experienced making good tablets with cassava starch. Subsequently with my interactions with colleagues in Nigeria. I was reminded of lack of significant focus in this area over the years.

I continued to evaluate and also invested resources into the effort , so I say to everyone who has a passion, never give up.

As we say in New York “Excelsior upward rising”.

Credit: USAfricaonline

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com