Patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancers often face a brutal trade-off: effective tumour treatment comes with severe side effects. Exposure of healthy oral tissues to radiation frequently leads to painful ulcers, chronic dry mouth, rapid tooth decay, and immense difficulty in eating and speaking. A pioneering startup from Mangaluru, born out of over eight years of rigorous research, has now developed a patented solution aimed at shielding patients from this collateral damage.
Bridging a Critical Clinical Gap
The innovation, named 'A Radiation Shielding Composition', was spearheaded by Dr. Riaz Abdulla, a professor in the Department of Oral Pathology at Yenepoya Dental College (YDC) and the founder-director of the startup Mashaa Radpro Pvt Ltd. With more than 28 years of teaching experience, Dr. Abdulla identified a persistent problem in oncology. "While cancer cells were being targeted, normal tissues remained insufficiently protected, leading to debilitating complications that persist long after therapy ends," he explained. This clinical gap became the driving force behind the quest for a protective solution.
Years of Collaborative Research Culminate in a Patent
The journey to create the shield was a long and collaborative one, spanning more than eight years. The research involved significant partnership with and funding from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The resulting technology, a low-cost and biocompatible radiation-shielding device often described as a shield or belt, was incubated under the Yenepoya Technology Incubator (YTI). Recently, this patented innovation was formally transferred to the startup Mashaa Radpro, a move facilitated by YTI to enable wider clinical and commercial application.
The patent lists multiple inventors, including Dr. Fahizah, Dr. Rekha PD, Dr. Arun Bhagwat, Dr. BH Sripathi Rao, Asim Syed (YTI), and Jagdish K.. Dr. Abdulla also serves as the head of the Centre for Biomaterials and Research at YDC.
Path to Wider Recognition and Impact
With patent protection secured, the innovation is now gaining notable attention. The startup has attracted interest from healthcare professionals, oncology centres, and investors. Its potential was further validated when Mashaa Radpro was selected through the Government of Karnataka's startup accelerator programme. This selection allowed the team to showcase its product at the prestigious People's Festival of Innovations held at the India International Centre in New Delhi.
The core mission of Mashaa Radpro remains sharply focused: to significantly reduce the collateral damage inflicted on non-target tissues during radiation treatment for head and neck cancers. By offering a practical and affordable shielding option, this Mangaluru-born innovation promises to improve the quality of life for countless patients enduring one of medicine's most challenging therapies.
