As India emerges as a global technology innovation hub, it faces a pressing healthcare challenge, which is a dramatic rise in cancer cases which has earned it the ill-fame of being called the ‘Cancer Capital of the World’. The National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) projects cancer cases to rise from 1.46 million in 2022 to 1.57 million by 2025, a staggering 12.8 percent increase. This constant rise in cancer cases can be attributed to various factors including sedentary lifestyles, improper dietary habits, increased exposure to environmental pollution, excessive tobacco & alcohol consumption among the general public. Amid this daunting reality, Mumbai based Sathgen Therapeutics, a division of Godavari Biorefineries Limited, emerges as a symbol of hope by revolutionizing the fight against cancer with pioneering safer treatments.

Founded in 2007, Sathgen Therapeutics owes its inception to two visionary leaders Samir Somaiya (Chairman & Managing Director, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd.) and Dr Sendurai Mani (Associate Director, Legorreta Cancer Center, Brown University). Their shared mission was to develop pivotal cancer therapies that combine innovation with patient safety and elevate India from ‘the pharmacy of the world’ to a leader in groundbreaking medical innovations. Samir shares, “Indian companies should aspire to innovate and develop drugs that create a significant impact in countless lives. This effort marks the beginning of building an ecosystem that unites education, research, drug discovery, and treatment, similar to what exists in Cambridge, MA, USA”. The financial stability, crucial for long-term drug development, comes from the backing of Godavari Biorefineries Limited.

“Cancer treatment demands a multifaceted approach, bringing together diverse expertise like drug design, chemical synthesis, and cancer biology. We’ve built exactly that, a comprehensive team capable of transforming promising research into life-changing treatments”, explains Dr. Sangeeta, Executive Director.

Breaking New Ground in Cancer Treatment

Leading Sathgen Therapeutics’ innovation is MSP008- 22, a first-in-class anti-cancer compound patented across major pharmaceutical markets worldwide. This

pioneering molecule, currently in phase-I clinical trials, represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, particularly for challenging malignancies like triple negative breast cancer and prostate cancer. Unlike conventional chemotherapy that often damages both healthy and cancerous cells, MSP008-22 employs a precision-targeting approach that selectively targets cancer stem cells, the cancer cell population responsible for metastasis, tumor recurrence, and treatment resistance. Preclinical studies have demonstrated remarkable efficacy with a minimal adverse impact on healthy tissues.

“The safety profile we’re seeing with MSP008-22 is exceptional. Ongoing clinical trials confirm what our preclinical studies suggested, we’ve developed a compound with an impressive safety margin”, explains Dr Prashant Kharkar, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Technology, and Consultant, Sathgen Therapeutics.

Moreover, Sathgen Therapeutics’ innovative platform extends beyond MSP008-22. Describing their broader impact, Dr. Rakhee Bajaj, Manager of Strategy & Business Development says, “Our focus on developing these therapies in India significantly reduces costs compared to international benchmarks. With our entire pipeline of molecules, we are creating globally accessible treatments, bridging innovation with affordability”.

Our breakthrough lies in developing treatments that not only target cancer effectively but also preserves the patient’s quality of life

Infrastructure, Expertise & Collaboration - Core Values

Sathgen Therapeutics’ success is built upon three crucial pillars, namely Cutting-edge Infrastructure, Multidisciplinary Expertise, and Strategic Partnerships. The company’s state-of-the-art R&D facility houses specialized laboratories for chemical synthesis, molecular biology, and drug development, equipped with the latest analytical and research tools. Also, under Dr Vitthal Yadav’s leadership, the chemical synthesis team works on optimizing molecular structures and developing efficient synthesis routes. Meanwhile, Dr Maithili Athavale and her cancer biology team conduct extensive testing to understand the mechanisms of action and validate therapeutic efficacy of these novel molecules. This collaborative environment enables rapid iteration and refinement of potential drug candidates.

Sathgen Therapeutics’ research ecosystem extends beyond its walls through strategic partnerships. The institution envisions partnering with global pharmaceutical companies to out-license their molecules for late stage development and faster market entry. Also, they collaborate with leading Contract Research Organizations(CROs), academic institutions, and healthcare facilities that help accelerate the drug development timeline. For instance, the clinical development program is managed by Clinexel Life Sciences, bringing together clinical expertise and research excellence.

Charting the Future

Looking ahead, Sathgen Therapeutics’ is preparing for phase-1b/2 efficacy clinical trials of MSP008-22, a crucial step toward market entry. Sathgen Therapeutics exemplifies the potential of India’s biotech sector to tackle global healthcare challenges. With its relentless commitment to innovation, affordability, and patient centric care, the venture is well on its way to reshaping cancer therapy and delivering hope where it’s needed most. “Our vision extends beyond individual breakthroughs. We are building a pipeline of innovative molecules that could reshape cancer therapy globally and bring hope to patients facing the toughest battles”, says Dr Mani.