Silchar: The Patent Office, Government of India, has granted a patent to Prof. Devashish Sengupta of the Department of Chemistry, Assam University, Silchar, and his collaborative research team for the development of novel nanohybrids aimed at combating multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer.

The patented invention, titled ‘Amphiphilic Cancer Cell Differentiation Promoting Quinazolinone-C70 and Apoptosis Promoting Quinazolinone-C60 Nanohybrids as New Generation Antineoplastic Agents Under Photoactivated Conditions’, focuses on the development of next-generation antineoplastic agents using photoactivated technology.

The research combines quinazolinone derivatives with carbon nanostructures, including C70 and C60 fullerenes, to develop specialised nanohybrids with potential applications in cancer treatment.

According to the research team, the Quinazolinone-C70 nanohybrids are designed to promote cancer cell differentiation and downregulate Cyclin A levels. Their cytotoxic activity is also aimed at overcoming chemotherapeutic resistance by modulating BAX and BCL-2 levels.

The Quinazolinone-C60 nanohybrids, meanwhile, are designed to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in malignant cells under specific light-activation conditions.

The patented work is the outcome of collaboration between Assam University, Silchar, and the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP), Kolkata.

Prof. Devashish Sengupta is the primary patentee. The co-inventors include Dr. Debdulal Sharma and Dr. Ranjan Kumar Das of Assam University, Dr. Madhumanti Halder and Dr. Prem Das of SINP, and Prof. Oishee Chakrabarti, Co-PI and collaborator from SINP.

The patent marks a significant research achievement for the collaborating institutions in the field of nanotechnology and cancer research.