An International Medical University (IMU) lecturer from the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Dr Pran Kishore Deb, successfully secured a research grant (eScienceFund) worth RM 80,000. The grant from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is for his research project on “Hit to Lead Optimisation: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Thienopyrimidine Derivatives as Potential Antagonists of Adenosine A3 Receptor, A Promising Target for The Treatment of Asthma.” Asthma is one of the most significant health problems in the world including Malaysia. The current asthma therapies are suitable only for symptomatic relief and possess undesirable life-threatening side effects. This project aims to develop a new class of safe, effective drugs with a novel mechanism of action to treat the underlying disease and not just the symptoms of asthma. Dr Pran and his team will design a series of novel molecules (thienopyrimidine) based on Computer Aided Drug Design (CADD) for the treatment of asthma. The eScienceFund is a grant provided by MOSTI for the purpose of promoting research and development (R&D) projects which can generate new knowledge in strategic basic and applied sciences, and develop new products or processes necessary for further development and commercialisation in specific research areas. It also aims to generate more research capabilities and expertise within the country.
Congratulations to Dr Pran Kishore and his research team for being awarded with the grant.
