Rourkela: Researchers from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela), and the Department of Chemistry, IISER Berhampur, have developed a novel cotarnine-derived formulation for oral cancer treatment.
The research work integrates medicinal chemistry with formulation science, with the promising candidate now getting ready for further preclinical investigation and translational research. The innovative formulation has been granted an Indian patent.
The focus of the research is on designing, synthesising and formulating a new cotarnine derivative to explore alternative therapeutic approaches for oral cancer.
Oral cancer remains a pressing healthcare challenge in India, often diagnosed late and treated with conventional methods that carry limitations. Addressing this gap, the research team designed and synthesised a cotarnine derivative that demonstrated significant anticancer activity, particularly against tongue cancer cells, even at very low concentrations.
The inventors include Laxmipriya Prusty, Harekrushna Sahoo, Sruti Biswal, and Bibekanand Mallick from NIT Rourkela, and Pradyota Kumar Behera and Laxmidhar Rout from IISER Berhampur.
The patented technology is based on the rational design and formulation of a cotarnine-derived molecular entity with anticancer activity against oral cancer cells. The researchers believe the formulation could provide a foundation for further studies aimed at developing new therapeutic agents with improved efficacy and reduced adverse effects.
“The development of this cotarnine derivative represents an important step toward exploring new molecular entities for oral cancer therapy. Through an integrated approach involving molecular design, synthesis, and formulation, we have developed a promising candidate with potential for further preclinical and translational research. This work highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex healthcare challenges,” Prof Harekrushna Sahoo said,
About the anticancer potential observed during the research, Prof Bibekanand Mallick said, “Our findings indicate that the developed cotarnine derivative shows significant activity against oral cancer cells, particularly tongue cancer cells, even at very low concentrations. The next important step is to validate these findings through further preclinical studies, including animal studies, followed by clinical evaluation. This research reflects our commitment to developing innovative solutions that can potentially address unmet needs in cancer care.”
The patented invention demonstrates the efforts of NIT Rourkela and its collaborators to translate fundamental research in chemistry and life sciences into potential healthcare applications. Further preclinical investigations will be required to establish the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential of the developed formulation.
The grant of the patent further strengthens NIT Rourkela’s focus on research-driven innovation, intellectual property generation, and interdisciplinary research addressing societal and healthcare challenges. The work also contributes to the broader national emphasis on strengthening indigenous research and technology development in healthcare.