DR.DINESH MAHAJAN
Ph.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
- Ph.D.
- M.Sc. Honours School
Research Interest: Dr. Dinesh Mahajan leads a chemistry and pharmacology lab and research group at THSTI. His group is focused on drug discovery efforts against NAFLD (Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) and infectious diseases of national interest, such as drug-resistant tuberculosis, drug-resistant microbial infections, and viral infections. Most of these discovery efforts are in collaboration with disease biology research groups within THSTI and outside THSTI. The medicinal chemistry team of the group is majorly focused on SAR development and PK-ADME activities to support hit identification to lead optimization efforts. The disease pharmacology team of the group has established well characterized NAFLD disease models in rodents to understand disease progression, pathophysiology as well as to facilitate drug discovery projects.
PI Experience: Dr. Dinesh Mahajan is an experienced medicinal chemist and drug discovery scientist who has been pursuing medicinal chemistry and preclinical drug discovery research for more than 16 years. Dinesh has experience in leading various drug discovery projects (both in industry as well as academics) from the conception of the idea to the delivery of IND (Investigational New Drug) candidates by leading multidisciplinary scientific teams. This includes hit identification to lead optimization by understanding & optimizing Structure-Activity relationships (SAR) and ADME-PK properties; late stage pre-clinical evaluation to identify molecules for IND enabling studies. Drug development experience includes process R&D and new formulation development to address solubility, stability, or bio-availability issues.
Funded projects (Ongoing and completed in the recent past):
1 Optimization and development of a small molecule as a pre-clinical drug lead for NASH, Sponsored by ICMR
2 Optimization and development of a small molecule-based oral drug lead for drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of mycobacterial tuberculosis; BIRAC
3 Development of herbal extract-based formulations as a therapeutic application against NAFLD. Sponsored by BIRAC and Dabur India Pvt Ltd
4 Development of CO2-based manufacturing process of a commercial API, sponsored by Penam Laboratories Pvt Ltd (Completed).
5 Development and PoC validation of a novel approach to treat HIV infection by integrating anti-viral activity with stimulation of host cell innate immunity from DBT-BIRAC under CRS (drug discovery scheme); (Completed)
Publication
Please visit google scholar for updated list of publications
Important publications in last five years:
2025-26
1. Smile, Vipan Kumar, Rupesh Kumar, Dinesh Mahajan, Gaurav Bhargava* Recent Advances in Catalytic [5 + 3] Cycloadditions Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis 2026 368 (11), e70445
2. Prajwal Swamy, Lakhwinder Singh, Priya Sehrawat, Dinesh Mahajan* Recombinant live biotherapeutics against chronic metabolic diseases: Challenges and opportunities Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science Volume 220, 2026, Pages 209-227
3. Sankar J, Bajpai MK, Chauhan A, Maddheshiya R, Sharma N, Sharma A, Kumar Y, Mahajan D.* Carbamate Prodrugs Restrict In Vivo Metabolism and Improve the Pharmacokinetics of Isoniazid. ACS Cent Sci. 2025 Jul 9;11(8):1467-1480. doi: 10.1021/acscentsci.5c00576.
2024-25
1. Priya M, Gupta SK, Koundal A, Kapoor S, Tiwari S, Kidwai S, Sorio de Carvalho LP, Thakur KG, Mahajan D, Sharma D, Kumar Y, Singh R. Itaconate mechanism of action and dissimilation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Jan 28;122(4):e2423114122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2423114122.
2. Sharma, N., Singh, L., Sharma, A., Kumar, A., & Mahajan, D.* (2024). NAFLD-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) - A compelling case for repositioning of existing mTORc1 inhibitors. Pharmacological Research, 208, 107375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107375
3. Isoniazid-historical development, metabolism associated toxicity and a perspective on its pharmacological improvement J Sankar, A Chauhan, R Singh, D Mahajan* Frontiers in Pharmacology 15, 1441147
4. Role of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in a Choline-Deficient High-Fat … P Kamboj, RK Goyal, R Yadav, SK Banerjee, D Mahajan* Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology 14 (Conference Paper)
5. Impact of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) on the aggressive progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease induced by choline-deficient high P Kamboj, R Yadav, SK Banerjee, RK Goyal, D Mahajan* Gut 73 (Suppl 3), A32-A32 (Conference Paper)
2023-24
1. Prajapat, S.K., Mishra, L., Khera, S., Owusu, S.D., Ahuja, K., Sharma, P., Choudhary, E., Chhabra, S., Kumar, N., Singh, R., Kaushal, P.S., Mahajan, D., Banerjee, A., Motiani, R.K., Vrati, S. and Kalia, M. (2024). Methotrimeprazine is a neuroprotective antiviral in JEV infection via adaptive ER stress and autophagy. EMBO Molecular Medicine, [online] 16(1), pp.185–217. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44321-023-00014-w.
2. Purohit, A., Kandiyal, B., Kumar, S., Pragasam, A.K., Kamboj, P., Talukdar, D., Verma, J., Sharma, V., Sarkar, S., Mahajan, D., Yadav, R., Ahmed, R., Nanda, R., Dikshit, M., Banerjee, S.K., Shalimar and Das, B. (2024). Collinsella aerofaciens linked with increased ethanol production and liver inflammation contribute to the pathophysiology of NAFLD. iScience, [online] 27(2), p.108764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.108764.
3. Sharma, P., Mahajan, D., Kumar, V., Kumar, R. and Bhargava, G. (2024). A facile, regio and diastereoselective synthesis of functionalized azetidin-2-ones: Cu(I) mediated Kinugasa reaction of functionalized nitrones with acetylenic alcohols. Synthetic Communications, 54(7), pp.583–591. https://doi.org/10.1080/00397911.2024.2321596.
4. Singh, P., Kumar, A., Sharma, P., Chugh, S., Kumar, A., Sharma, N., Gupta, S., Singh, M., Kidwai, S., Sankar, J., Taneja, N., Kumar, Y., Dhiman, R., Mahajan, D.* and Singh, R.* (2024). Identification and optimization of pyridine carboxamide-based scaffold as a drug lead for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, [online] 68(2). https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.00766-23.
2022-23
1. Das B*, Mahajan D, Rakonjac J (2023). Editorial: Antibiotic Potentiators Against Drug-Resistant Pathogens: Discovery, Development and Clinical Applications. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1173906
2. Pant A, Maiti TK, Mahajan D, Das B. Human Gut Microbiota and Drug Metabolism. Microb Ecol. 23-07-2022, 42005, 10.1007/s00248-022-02081.
3. Highly regioselective 6-exo-dig iodo/bromo cyclizations of functionalized 5-amino propargyl pyrimidinones: an efficient synthesis of functionalized pteridines RA Naikoo, R Kumar, R Sharma, D Mahajan, G Bhargava RSC advances 13 (45), 31891-31896
4. Treatments for dengue: a Global Dengue Alliance to address unmet needs MI Anasir, N Angkasekwinai, P Auewarakul, P Avirutnan, G Bilbe, ... The Lancet Global Health 11 (11), e1680-e1681
2021-22
1. Kumar A, Sharma P, Sharma N, Kumar Y, Mahajan D.* Catalyst free N-formylation of aromatic and aliphatic amines exploiting reductive formylation of CO2 using NaBH4. RSC Adv. 2021 Jul 27;11(41):25777-25787. doi: 10.1039/d1ra04848a.
2. Sarkar S, Kumari D, Gupta SK, Sharma V, Mukhi S, Kamboj P, Sasibhushan V, Rai RK, Jatavallabhula SL, Mahajan D, Kumar Y, Kumar A, Dikshit M. Saroglitazar and Hepano treatment offers protection against high fat high fructose diet induced obesity, insulin resistance and steatosis by modulating various class of hepatic and circulating lipids. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021 Dec;144:112357. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112357.
Inventor in more than 20 filed patent applications. 18 are published online and 16 are issued or granted patents in different jurisdictions (INDIA, US, China, Europe and Japan).
1. Novel compounds of 11beta-hydroxy-steroids for use in mitochondria biogenesis and diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction or depletion, WO/2014/115167; PCT/IN2014/000048; National Phase: China, US, EU and JP.
2. Novel triazine compounds for Pi3K/mTOR pathway, WO2014016849; PCT/IN2013/000458; CN104582707A, EP2874632A4, GrantedUS14/416,140 dated 25/04/2017;Granted JP6175139B2
3. Novel triazine compounds, PCTIN2012000055 Granted US13/981,579 dated 1/11/2016
4. Substituted methylformyl reagents and method of using same to modify physicochemical and/or pharmacokinetic properties of compounds (A new technology patent to address low solubility and bioequivalence of APIs and NCEs), PCTIN2012000248; Granted US14/110,373 dated 07/06/2016; Application pending for grant in China, Europe and Japan
5. Novel compounds, their preparation and their uses, Granted US14/433,485 Dated 31/01/2017 Pending for Grant in China, Europe and Japan (A new technology patent to address low solubility and bioequivalence of APIs and NCEs).
6. Methods of treating tumoral diseases, or bacterial or viral infections, PCT US20170000789; US 15266802 Granted US14/046,682 dated 08/11/2016;AU2013326850A US15/266,802 Pending in Japan, Europe and China
7. A novel process for synthesis of polyphenols (A process patent for non-infringing route of chiral natural product), PCT/IN2012/000052; CN103582635A, EP2668176A2, EP2668176A4, US9428482, Granted US13/981,279 Dated 30/08/2016JP5890846B2 Dated 22/03/2016 EP2668176B1;
8. Novel approach for synthesis of catechins (A process patent for non infringing route for a chiral natural product), PCT/IN2014/000061; CN105026384A, EP2948437A2, EP2948437A4, US9556140, Granted US14/763,018 Dated 31/01/2017; JP6411375B2
9. Flavonoid compounds, PCT/US2012/049767;CN103987704A,EP2739613A4, Granted US14/237,167 dated 17/11/2015
10. Novel compounds, their synthesis and their uses, US09487500
11. Novel compounds and anti-tubercular agents, PCT/IN2015/000226 Granted US15/313,986dated 2018-10-16. Pending in Russia, Europe, China and Japan
12. Novel compounds and inhibition of AKT kinase, IN2014DEL237 20140128
13. Novel analogues of epicatechin and related polyphenols, PCT/IN2014/000213; CN105283179A, EP2981260A2, EP2981260A4, US20160039781; Granted US14/780,214 Dated 22/05/2018
14. Method of converting carbon dioxide into carbonyl compounds WO2019073484 (A1) 12 Dec 2017 Granted in INDIA (A green chemical method of using CO2 gas as a raw material for synthesis of ureas, carbamates and carbonates)
15. Hydroxy Steroid Compounds, their intermediates, process of …US publication number 2015/0376225 A1, Also filed in Europe, China and Japan
16. Novel molecules and their hiv inhibitory activityIndian Pat. Appl. (2018), IN 201711009180 A 20180921.
17. Preparation of trigonelline based compounds as API prodrugs PCT Int. Appl. (2017), WO 2017158621 A1 20170921.
1. Development and PoC validation of a novel approach to treat HIV infection by integrating anti-viral activity with stimulation of host cell innate immunity from DBT-BIRAC under CRS (drug discovery scheme); PI and Project Coordinator; duration May 2017-May 2020 (Completed)
2. Chemical investigation and therapeutic evaluation for linking marker compound(s) with anti-diabetic potential of young shoots of Wendlandia glabrata D.C. and fruits of Phoebe cooperiana, used by indigenous ST people of Arunachal Pradesh.[BT/PR24712/NER/95/828/2017 from DBT- NE Twinning program; 2018-2021. (Completed)
3. Structure determination and targeting of ubiquitously expressed membrane integrated form of chloride intracellular channels (CLICs) for discovery of small molecular anti-cancer therapeutics (BT/PR28766/BRB/10/1701/2018). Duration 3 years till May 2022
4. Penam Laboratories Pvt Ltd, sponsored project for Technology Co-Development (Dec 2018-Oct 2019 Completed).
5. Dabur India Pvt Ltd, sponsored project for development of herbal extracts based formulations for management of NAFLD.
1. Postdoctoral Fellowshipin synthetic organic chemistry by CNRS (2006-07) and MENRT (2007-08) in France.
2. Award for most cited paper 2005-2008-Tetrahedron Letters (Elsevier Ltd. Oxford Press), December 2008
Elsevier Awarded Authors a certificate for Most Citations in Year 2005-2008 for Paper "Protonated chiral prolinamide catalysed enantioselective direct aldol reaction in water"
Tetrahedron Letters 2005, 46, 5617-5619
3. Award for most cited paper 2005-2008-Tetrahedron Asymm. (Elsevier Ltd. Oxford Press), December 2008
Elsevier Awarded Authors a certificate for Most Citations in Year 2005-2008 for Paper "Small Organic Molecule Catalysed Enantioselective Direct Aldol reaction in Water".
Tetrahedron Asymmetry 2007, 2108-2119
4. Senior Research Fellowship(June 2005-july 2006) awarded by University Grant Commission (UGC) of INDIA. This fellowship is awarded by UGC based on research achievements.
5. Award for best oral presentationin National Conference on Modern Trends in Chemical Science and Technology (Oct. 2005).
MS.NIDHI SHARMA
TECHNICAL OFFICER-II
MR.LALIT MALKANIA
TECHNICAL OFFICER-II
MR.JISHNU SANKAR
PH.D STUDENT
MS.PRIYA SEHRAWAT
PH.D STUDENT
DR.ADITYA SHARMA
JUNIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST
MR.LAKHWINDER SINGH
PH.D STUDENT
MR.PRAJWAL S
PH.D STUDENT
DR.MUKESH KUMAR YADAV
PROJECT SCIENTIST
- 01292876476
- DINESH[DOT]MAHAJAN[AT]THSTI[DOT]RES[DOT]IN