Panjab University Gets U.S. Patent for Curcumin Delivery Technology
Chandigarh, September 5, 2026: Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh has secured a U.S. patent for a technology developed by Prof. Indu Pal Kaur and her research team to improve the solubility, stability and absorption of curcumin, the active compound found in turmeric.
U.S. Patent No. 12,599,572, titled “Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Curcumin”, covers the preparation and composition of the nanoparticles and has been assigned to Panjab University.
Curcumin Technology Developed at PU
Curcumin has been widely studied for its biological properties, but its oral use is limited by poor water solubility, instability and low absorption.
The PU technology uses tiny particles made with a solid lipid material to protect and disperse curcumin in water. The proposed technology is being developed under the name “CurcuAukhadh”, combining curcumin with the Indian concept of aushadhi or medicine.
The formulation uses a metabolisable solid-lipid core designed to protect and solubilise curcumin while allowing the particles to disperse in water.
More Than 900-Fold Relative Bioavailability Reported
Under an NRDC-supported project, Prof. Kaur and research students Simrandeep Kaur and Jyoti Krishna Nayak developed a 20 mL oral curcumin nanoparticle shot.
According to the project’s experimental pharmacokinetic studies, the formulation showed more than 900-fold higher relative bioavailability compared with free curcumin powder under the experimental conditions.
A second patent-filed technology reportedly increased curcumin loading capacity by around 1.5 to 2 times per gramcompared with the U.S.-patented platform. Water-dispersible sachet granules developed using this technology showed an 890-fold enhancement in relative bioavailability in experimental studies.
These findings are experimental and do not establish that the products provide equivalent benefits in humans.
Convenient Oral Shot and Sachets
The technology is designed to protect curcumin from degradation caused by light and changes in pH. The patented platform also provides controlled release for up to nine days and can be converted into powder through spray-drying or freeze-drying.
The manufacturing process uses high-pressure homogenisation, which the research team says can be scaled up for production.
Proposed CurcuAukhadh products include an oral shot and water-dispersible sachets. The formulations have also been flavour-optimised and can be mixed with water, milk, juice or other beverages while retaining their nanoparticle characteristics, according to the project material.
Prof. Indu Pal Kaur’s Patent Record
The latest U.S. patent adds to Prof. Indu Pal Kaur’s intellectual property portfolio. She has secured 25 patents, including three U.S. patents, while another 22 patent applications have been filed.
PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Meenakshi Goyal congratulated Prof. Kaur and her research team, highlighting the importance of taking laboratory research towards solutions with wider societal relevance.
Prof. Kaur said the U.S. patent represents nearly two decades of work involving formulation development, biological evaluation, scale-up and international patent protection.
Next Step: Commercial Development
The research team has reported animal studies involving the technology in several areas, including pain, inflammation, arthritis, wound healing, oral health, cognition and respiratory conditions. These studies provide areas for further research but should not be interpreted as proof that CurcuAukhadh treats or prevents these conditions in humans.
The next stage involves commercial development, licensing and scale-up. IPK Labs is preparing to engage potential partners and investors, while product development and market preparation are proposed through CasaNova R&D Pvt. Ltd., a faculty-led start-up under PU’s Entrepreneurship Policy.
The invention has been patented in India and the United States, while corresponding applications in Europe and Canada remain under examination.
The inventors are Prof. Indu Pal Kaur, Vandita Kakkar, Simarjot Kaur Sandhu and Tanvi Gupta, with Panjab University, Chandigarh listed as the assignee.
