Spicy insight: Curcumin database to preclude false patent claims - The Economic Times

"Indian scientists have created the world's first comprehensive open database on curcumin -- the star therapeutic component of the golden Indian spice turmeric and a hot favourite with researchers across the globe -- to foster innovation and generate public awareness. The Curcumin Resource Database (CRDB) or portal is a collaborative effort of the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G), Institute of Advanced Study on Science and Technology (IASST) and the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Patna.  The portal aims to assist drug design and development and create an understanding among masses about the value of traditional knowledge of turmeric, as evidenced from the bitter patent disputes between India and the West. The database can also act as a resource for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) professionals to help prevent erroneous patents .