Dishman Carbogen Amcis, a global outsourcing partner for the pharma industry, announces the results of a new study that provides critical insights into the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in obesity and in fat malabsorption syndromes. The research was conducted by Boston University School of Medicine and supported in part by a grant from Dishman Carbogen Amcis’ wholly-owned subsidiary CARBOGEN AMCIS B.V.
Dishman Carbogen Amcis is a global manufacturer of vitamin D analogs and related APIs. It partnered with Dr Michael Holick, professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics and molecular medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, to determine whether alternative vitamin D-type substances provide significant health benefits in people suffering with impaired distribution and metabolism of vitamin D.
“We believe that partnerships with academic institutions help uncover important insights and make great discoveries that benefit the pharmaceutical industry and, most importantly, the patients directly”, said Arpit Vyas, Global MD of Dishman Carbogen Amcis.
The study results will benefit obese people and, e.g., patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery, which quite generally results in vitamin D malabsorption. Thus, those patients run an elevated risk of bone diseases like osteoporosis and osteomalacia due to softening of the bones.
Researchers observed that a form of vitamin D, known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (Calcifediol), was absorbed faster and better than the same dose of vitamin D.
“This vitamin D metabolite is better absorbed in patients with fat malabsorption syndromes and since it is not as fat-soluble, it does not get diluted in the body fat and is effective in raising and maintaining blood levels. Therefore, using 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 could be a novel approach for treating vitamin D deficiency in patients with fat malabsorption syndromes,” said Dr Holick.
CARBOGEN AMCIS B.V. provided the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 capsules, which were produced at its parent company Dishman Carbogen Amcis’ Bavla facility in Ahmedabad, specifically for this study.
“Our Vitamin D activities are a source of particular pride. Since 2007 when the Netherlands facility was acquired by DCAL we have continually invested to ensure that we remain at the forefront of innovation. Our industry partners rely on the quality of the APIs we deliver. Through this collaboration with Boston University School of Medicine, we sought to advance our industry’s understanding of the full potential of vitamin D supplements for patients with various needs,” said Rob Eijkman, site director CARBOGEN AMCIS BV, Netherlands.
Dr Peter Müller, senior scientific advisor for Dishman Carbogen Amcis said, “Dishman Carbogen Amcis has worked closely with Boston University School of Medicine on investigating the roles that vitamin D substances play in humans. In addition to the results of the study addressed here, the partnership has resulted in a mutually beneficial exchange of scientific views, including participation by Dr Holick in scientific forums at DCAL.”