Rourkela, 1 October 2026: Researchers from the Department of Chemistry and Department of Life Science at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela), in collaboration
with researchers from the Department of Chemistry, IISER Berhampur, have developed a novel cotarnine-derived therapeutic formulation with potential applications in oral cancer treatment.
The research focuses on the design, synthesis, and formulation of a new cotarnine derivative aimed at exploring new therapeutic approaches for oral cancer. By integrating medicinal chemistry and formulation science, the research team has developed a promising candidate for further preclinical investigation and translational research. The innovation has been granted a patent titled “Design, Synthesis, and Formulation of a Cotarnine Derivative for Oral Cancer Therapy” under Patent No. 604125. The inventors include Ms. Laxmipriya Prusty, Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo, Ms. Sruti Biswal, and Prof. Bibekanand Mallick from NIT Rourkela, and Mr. Pradyota Kumar Behera and Prof. Laxmidhar Rout from IISER Berhampur. Oral cancer continues to pose a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in India, where late diagnosis and limitations associated with conventional treatment can affect patient outcomes. Against this backdrop, the research team designed and synthesized a novel cotarnine derivative and developed a formulation to investigate its anticancer potential. 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. Prof. Harekrushna Sahoo said, “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.” Highlighting 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.
NIT Rourkela Develops Novel Cotarnine Derivative for Oral Cancer Therapy
