Lucknow: Three scientists from CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, have been recognised by the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) for contributions spanning cancer biology, cardiovascular research and medicinal chemistry.
Scientist Ravindra Kumar, Dipak Datta and Manoj K Barthwal
scientist
Scientist Ravindra Kumar, Dipak Datta and Manoj K Barthwal
CDRI chief scientist and head of Cancer Biology Division Dipak Datta and Manoj K Barthwal, a senior scientist in Division of Pharmacology, have been elected NASI Fellows for 2026. Ravindra Kumar, Scientist E in Division of Medicinal and Process Chemistry, has been selected as a NASI member.CDRI spokesperson Sanjeev Yadav said the honours underline the institute’s emphasis on research aimed at major public health challenges, ranging from understanding disease mechanisms and identifying drug targets to developing molecules that could progress into future therapies.Datta was recognised for research on cancer metastasis, with a focus on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype where treatment options remain limited. According to the institute, his team has also developed a small-molecule drug candidate, S016-1348, with potential anticancer activity. The candidate is being advanced towards filing an application seeking permission to begin human clinical trials.Barthwal was honoured for work on heart and metabolic diseases. His research highlighted IRAK, a protein involved in inflammatory pathways, as a potential drug target connecting inflammation, abnormal lipid levels and atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis involves the build-up of fatty material inside blood vessels, which can narrow arteries, restrict blood flow and raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.Kumar’s selection as a NASI member recognises his contributions in medicinal chemistry, a discipline that applies chemical approaches to design and develop new medicines. His research focuses on creating new chemical scaffolds and structures with potential biological and therapeutic applications.
