Our Research
The research interest in our group is focused on the methodology development especially asymmetric strategies and drug discovery. We are interested to synthesize medicinally important compounds. Therefore, the goal is to invent smart synthetic protocols for making compounds of high therapeutic importance. The techniques used are: transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis, C–H bond functionalization.
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1. Asymmetric Synthesis of Natural Product-Inspired Novel Scaffolds for Drug Discovery
Nature has been the source of all our basic needs since ages, and, medicines for the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases are no exception. Till date, therapeutic natural products are the main fundamental source of leads for the discovery of new drugs. Hence, it is highly rational to develop useful methodologies for the synthesis of compounds that are related to natural products of curative nature.
One efficient way to achieve this is via asymmetric catalysis. Our aim is to develop novel asymmetric methodologies to synthesize certain novel scaffolds (highlighted below) that are natural product inspired.
2. Medicinal & Process Chemistry
As part of our battle against Covid pandemic, we started working on potential antiviral compounds. One such compound is umifenovir, which is prophylactic in nature and strong antiviral properties. Umifenovir is currently not available in Indian market. Hence, as part of a collaborative effort from CDRI, umifenovir was synthesized in our lab in high purity and greater yield. The synthesis was standardized in such a way that only indigenous starting materials were used and the synthesis is free of column purification. The technology was transferred and clinical trial is completed recently.
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Centhaquin was originally discovered from CDRI. This is a highly potential drug for managing the trauma patients. The synthesis of this compound was developed in a green, catalytic approach to make the process more cost-effective.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Development of new synthetic strategies and drug discovery
Asymmetric synthesis
Transition metal catalysis
Organocatalysis
Heterocyclic chemistry