Entering pharma drug discovery presents an opportunity to apply scientific capabilities to a new set of health challenges
Godavari Biorefineries is advancing research into novel cancer therapies, securing US patent protection and expanding the geographical reach of its intellectual property following earlier grants in India, China and Japan. Dr Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, Godavari Biorefineries, discusses the research outcomes, therapeutic potential and significance of this milestone.
What do the Mexican patent for “Use of Compounds for Treating Viral Infections” and the US patent for a cancer-treatment molecule signify for Godavari Biorefineries’ life sciences research programme and long-term business strategy?
The grant of the US patent for our oncology molecule and the Mexican patent for our antiviral compounds marks a strategic shift for Godavari Biorefineries. These patents reflect how our R&D capabilities have evolved from bio-based chemical innovation to high-value, IP-driven drug discovery. By focusing on cancer stem cell inhibition and host-targeting antivirals, our research directly addresses two of medicine’s greatest challenges: disease recurrence and drug resistance.
Securing protection across key markets such as the US, Mexico, Japan, and China strengthens our ability to pursue international collaborations, co-development opportunities, and future commercialisation pathways.
Most importantly, it reinforces our belief that science-driven innovation from India can contribute meaningfully to global healthcare challenges.
How is Godavari Biorefineries leveraging its legacy in sugar manufacturing and bio-based chemicals to expand into drug discovery, antiviral research, and cancer therapeutics?
Godavari Biorefineries’ expansion into life sciences reflects the company’s continued focus on research and development, with work extending into drug discovery and the development of potential therapies for cancer and viral infections.
The company’s life sciences research encompasses a lead candidate being developed for triple- negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive form of breast cancer. The candidate has completed Phase I studies, with safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics among the parameters evaluated. Preclinical research has also reported anti-cancer activity in breast and prostate cancer models, alongside potential antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus.
Beyond this programme, research is exploring potential treatments for other difficult-to-treat cancers, including prostate cancer and glioblastoma, as well as potential antiviral therapies. These programmes reflect the breadth of the company’s efforts to address areas of significant unmet medical need. Through its growing capabilities in life sciences research, Godavari Biorefineries is extending its research-led approach into the development of potential therapeutic applications. The focus remains on advancing promising molecules through the drug-development process, supported by scientific research, intellectual property development, and opportunities for collaboration.
What are the next steps for these patented molecules?
Having secured intellectual property protection in key international markets, our focus is now on advancing these molecules through rigorous scientific evaluation and translational research. Our immediate priority is to build on the encouraging safety data from our completed Phase 1a oncology study as we prepare for the next stage of clinical development, focusing on triple- negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other solid tumours. This progress provides a foundation for discussions with prospective partners who can support further clinical development.
In parallel, we are advancing our newer oncology and antiviral compounds through their respective development programmes. Through our presence in Princeton, New Jersey, we are engaging partners on clinical co-development, joint research, licensing by asset or territory, and strategic investment. We believe flexible partnership models can help bring together complementary expertise to advance these programmes.
Which types of cancer are you currently targeting through your research? Which viral infections are you prioritising in your antiviral research?
In oncology, our primary areas of interest include Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and advanced prostate cancer. We are also exploring potential applications in oral, glioblastoma, liver, cervical, colon, and lung cancers.
A key aspect of our research is targeting cancer stem cells, which are believed to contribute to tumour recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to conventional therapies. Investigating these cells is an important area of research in understanding these challenges. In antiviral research, we are focusing on SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. Rather than targeting the virus directly, our approach aims to study and interfere with the cellular pathways that viruses rely on to infect human cells. This host-targeting approach focuses on cellular mechanisms involved in viral infection, rather than on the virus itself.
What are the key scientific, regulatory and financial challenges a company rooted in the sugar and bio-based chemicals industry faces when entering the pharmaceutical drug- discovery space?
For a company with its foundations in sugar and bio-based chemicals, entering pharmaceutical drug discovery presents an opportunity to apply its scientific capabilities to a new set of healthcare challenges. Our experience in cosmetics, flavours and fragrances, and personal care has helped build a foundation in scientific research, product development and regulatory discipline, which can be extended as we develop our capabilities in cancer research and antiviral drug discovery.
In cancer research, one of the key priorities is identifying promising molecules and understanding their activity across different cancer types, including difficult-to-treat cancers. This requires a multidisciplinary approach combining chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, and toxicity evaluation. Similarly, antiviral research involves studying how viruses interact with host cells and identifying potential therapeutic approaches that can be evaluated for their activity and safety. In both areas, rigorous preclinical evaluation and a systematic progression through the stages of drug development are essential to building a strong scientific foundation.
From a regulatory perspective, each candidate must be supported by appropriate safety, efficacy, and quality data as it progresses through the relevant stages of development. This calls for robust research practices, careful documentation, and alignment with applicable regulatory requirements. Developing specialised scientific capabilities and infrastructure, while fostering collaboration across disciplines, helps strengthen this process. Drug discovery also requires a long-term approach to investment, given the time involved in evaluating molecules and advancing them through development. Prioritising research programmes, allocating resources carefully and assessing scientific progress at each stage are important to maintaining a balanced and sustainable pipeline. These considerations encourage a disciplined approach to decision-making while allowing promising research to progress. Our focus is on building scientific capabilities that can translate research into potential therapeutic applications. By combining rigorous research, responsible development, and collaboration, we aim to advance our work in cancer and antiviral research while contributing to progress in areas where new treatment options are needed.
What is the potential commercial value of these discoveries? Do you see intellectual property licensing and partnerships with established pharmaceutical companies as a viable route to market?
We see potential in building a portfolio of therapeutic candidates rather than relying on a single molecule. Our lead oncology programme has completed Phase 1a, while other molecules in our pipeline are at different stages of research and evaluation, including studies assessing their efficacy. Our patented compounds have shown inhibitory effects against cancer cells and cancer stem cells in in vitro studies, with activity observed across multiple cancer cell types, including breast and prostate cancer.
Our research focuses on developing original molecules and exploring new approaches to addressing cancer and other healthcare challenges. Partnerships can play an important role in advancing these research programmes. Drug development requires clinical expertise, regulatory capabilities, funding, and market access, which can complement our strengths in research and intellectual property. Depending on the molecule and its stage of development, we can explore asset-specific arrangements or broader research collaborations with partners whose capabilities align with our programmes.
Beyond these two patented discoveries, what other life sciences research programmes or therapeutic areas are in your pipeline?
Beyond the two recently patented discoveries, we are building a growing portfolio of proprietary molecules, with oncology as a central focus. Our lead clinical-stage programme provides an important foundation, while emerging candidates are being investigated through different mechanisms of action and for potential applications across several solid tumours. Having multiple molecules at different stages of development allows us to explore a wider range of research opportunities and work with partners based on their areas of interest. We continue to develop our intellectual property portfolio and evaluate opportunities to advance these candidates. Our long-term objective is to combine scientific innovation, responsible development and strategic collaboration to build a sustainable life sciences business. This reflects our broader purpose of creating value through research and contributing to a healthier future.