Dr. Rakhee Bajaj

Strategy & Business Development Manager

In recent years, the landscape of cancer drug discovery and development in India has witnessed remarkable advancements, driven by a precise understanding of cancer's molecular mechanisms. This progress has spurred extensive collaboration and innovation among oncology-focused companies, particularly in the pursuit of novel therapies that selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Leading this charge is Sathgen Therapeutics, a biotech division of Godavari Biorefineries based in Mumbai, India.

Sathgen Therapeutics, operating as a clinical-stage biotech, is dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative therapies for challenging cancers and emerging viral infections. With over a decade of experience, Sathgen is committed to providing comprehensive treatment options by prioritizing the development of non-toxic drugs that efficiently target cancer cells. It stands out as one of India's premier discovery-based institutes, specializing in advancing first-in-class and best-in-class novel chemical entities 'from bench to bedside’.

At the core of Sathgen's success lies its state-of-the-art research and development facility and its multidisciplinary team of experts. This adept group, comprising cancer biologists, chemical scientists, and structural scientists, collaborates tirelessly to ensure that their developed candidates meet stringent safety and efficacy standards. Additionally, Sathgen leverages strategic partnerships with prominent Contract Research Organizations (CROs), esteemed hospitals, and research institutes to further enhance its capabilities. Financial backing from its parent company, Godavari Biorefineries, further solidifies Sathgen's position in the industry. The clinical development of this drug is supported and managed by Clinexel Life Sciences, a clinical research organization in the pharmaceutical sector. The clinical trial is headed by Dr. Shrinath Kshirsagar and his able Clinical Trials & Research Unit Team.

Targeting the Difficult-to-treat

Typically, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy target a bulk of cancer cells. Those treatments often spare a subpopulation of cancer cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells have the potential to self-renew, cause tumor relapse, metastasis (cancer cells spreading to another body part), and therapy resistance. The high abundance of these cells makes tumors highly aggressive; often seen in fatal cancer types such as triple-negative breast cancer, prostate cancer, and others. These cancer types continue to have the highest unmet needs for treatment options despite the remarkable progress in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatments. This is where Sathgen Therapeutics comes into the picture.

Sathgen Therapeutics was co-founded by Dr. Sendurai Mani, a professor at Brown University, to eliminate cancerstem cells. Dr. Mani originally discovered that cancer could make more cancer stem cells by rekindling the behavior of an embryo. Sathgen, since its inception, has been working to discover and develop medicine to eliminate cancer stem cells. “The pipeline of drugs being developed by Sathgen Therapeutics presents a promising solution that can address the current issues in the field of cancer therapy," says Dr. Rakhee Bajaj, Strategy and Business Development Manager of Sathgen Therapeutics. "These drugs target and eliminate both bulk cancer cells as well as cancer stem cells and intend to achieve a net tumor reduction. Undoubtedly, these innovative discoveries and drug developments hold the potential to revolutionize the landscape of cancer therapies and help patients improve the quality of their lives”, says Dr. Sangeeta Srivatsava, Executive Director of Sathgen Therapeutics.

Developing Innovative Therapies

Ever since its inception, Sathgen Therapeutics has screened over 10,000 molecules and identified a pipeline of drugs that are safe and have anti-cancer activity. On that note, when it comes to anticancer and antiviral therapies, one of the major challenges is the high toxicity of the treatments. Conventional cancer therapies often cause severe side effects and patient discomfort. Dr. Prashant Kharkar, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Institute of Chemical Technology, and a consultant at Sathgen, is pleased to see the remarkable safety of the lead molecule.

The Sathgen team, including Dr. Maithili Athavale and Dr. Sandip Gavade, has been working hard to bring several anticancer drugs that are less toxic to cancer patients. Sathgen’s ongoing phase I trials have demonstrated that the lead molecule is safe and non-toxic in patients with advanced solid tumors and in healthy volunteers. Samir Somaiya co-founded Sathgen Therapeutics as he believed that Indian companies should also dream of and discover drugs that make a big difference in the lives of many. He is committed to swiftly bringing these remarkable molecules to the forefront of cancer treatment for the benefit of cancer patients worldwide. He also wishes to build an ecosystem which brings together education, research, drug discovery and treatment as we see in Cambridge MA, in the USA.

With a robust pipeline of over 40 anticancer molecules in various stages of development, Sathgen has received prestigious government-funded BIRAC grants and secured national and international patents for its pioneering work. The company is poised to embark on Phase 1b/2 efficacy clinical trials, aiming to accelerate the market entry of its novel anticancer drugs through strategic alliances with global pharmaceutical companies.

In summary, Sathgen Therapeutics stands at the forefront of cancer drug discovery and development in India, poised to make significant contributions to the field and transform the lives of cancer patients worldwide.