In a significant development, Dabur India''s subsidiary Dabur Pharmaceuticals Ltd has launched New Livfit, a herbal drug that claims to cure hepatitis B. New Livfit is an anti-viral herbal formulation from Dabur Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a subsidiary of Dabur India Ltd. It is used in the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis E, major health hazards in the world, especially in the developing countries.

The formulation is a combination of 11 potent hepato-protective herbs such as andrographis paniculata, picrorrhiza kurroa, tinospora cardifolia, and terminalia chebula. Dabur claims that the herbal preparation arrests the HBV-DNA replication of the hepatitis virus.

New Livfit has been developed by the group’s R&D division, Dabur Research Foundation, after seven years of extensive research. The company has so far invested Rs 20 crore in the Dabur Research Foundation and has allocated an annual outlay of Rs 10 crore for various research activities.

The company conducted two clinical trials on hepatitis B-infected patients, and the compound showed a 68 per cent response rate. Following this, New Livfit was introduced in India eight months ago on an experimental basis and is now launched commercially.

The product has been accorded the ''European patent protected'' status for its efficacy in hepatitis B and hepatitis E viral infections. The patent protection is an interim step before the actual grant of a patent. The company plans to make substantial investments in extensive clinical trials.

The product is available as syrup, tablets and drops. The syrup is priced at Rs 39 for a 170 ml bottle, the tablets at Rs 10.50 for a strip of ten, and drops at Rs 28 for a 60 ml bottle.