Rutgers scientists, including an Indian American, win prestigious Edison Patent Awards

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A team of researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School has developed an antibody that could revolutionize the treatment of tuberculosis. The team was led by Abraham Pinter, a professor in the Department of Medicine, and Alok Choudhary, an assistant professor of microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics at the Public Health Research Institute (PHRI) within Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. They were honored with the Medical Diagnostics award, one of the categories in the prestigious Edison Patent Awards.

Their team isolated novel human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against a significant component of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB), according to a September 17, news report in Rutgers Today.

“Tuberculosis remains a major health problem in most of the world, infecting an estimated 25% of the world’s population,” Pinter is quoted saying in the report. “TB disease occurs mainly in developing countries, where access to affordable diagnostics is limited.”

Millions of people worldwide are infected with the bacteria that causes TB which remains the second deadliest infectious disease and a major contributor to death in HIV-1 infected patients, the report noted. The conventional method of diagnosing TB in HIV-1 infected patients is not very effective, highlighting the need for a faster and more readily available point-of-care test for M.tb that can be administered anywhere so that patients can be identified and treated with TB drugs as soon as possible. The Pinter-Choudhary led team’s antibody meets that need.

“This will allow early treatment and help eradicate the world’s most lethal infectious disease,” Pinter said.

“I am honored that our invention is aiding high-burden countries, particularly my home country India, and contributing to a TB-free world,” Choudhary said.

The other Rutgers team which won the Edison Patent Award has created a device that turns industrial waste into renewable energy, curbing the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the news report noted.

The Edison Patent Awards, now in their 45^th year, are New Jersey’s highest recognition of innovation, and cover 14 categories including pharmaceutical, consumer and animal health. They are presented annually by the Research & Development (R&D) Council of New Jersey. Choudhary and other award winners will be recognized during a ceremony in November.