Rourkela, Oct 3: Researchers from NIT Rourkela and IISER Berhampur have developed a novel cotarnine-derived therapeutic formulation with potential applications in oral cancer treatment. The invention, titled “Design, Synthesis, and Formulation of a Cotarnine Derivative for Oral Cancer Therapy”, has been granted a patent, marking a step towards developing new therapeutic approaches for the disease.
The research was jointly undertaken by scientists from the Department of Chemistry and Department of Life Science at NIT Rourkela and the Department of Chemistry at IISER Berhampur. The team designed and synthesised a new cotarnine derivative and developed a formulation to investigate its anticancer potential.
According to the researchers, the compound demonstrated significant activity against oral cancer cells, particularly tongue cancer cells, even at very low concentrations. However, further studies are required to establish its safety, efficacy and therapeutic potential before any clinical application.
Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo said the work represents an important step in exploring new molecular entities for oral cancer therapy through an integrated approach involving molecular design, synthesis and formulation.
Prof. Bibekanand Mallick said the findings warrant further validation through preclinical studies, including animal studies, followed by clinical evaluation.
The inventors include Laxmipriya Prusty, Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo, Sruti Biswal and Prof. Bibekanand Mallick from NIT Rourkela, and Pradyota Kumar Behera and Prof. Laxmidhar Rout from IISER Berhampur.
The patent highlights the institutions’ efforts to translate interdisciplinary research in chemistry and life sciences into potential healthcare applications.
