Brijesh Rathi, Ph.D.
Prof. Brijesh Rathi leads a research group focused on drug discovery and medicinal chemistry at Hansraj College, University of Delhi. Following his education at the University of Delhi, he completed a post-doctoral tenure at MIT with Prof. Alexander M. Klibanov. He currently heads the Laboratory for Translational Chemistry and Drug Discovery.
Prof. Rathi’s academic journey is marked by significant international collaboration. He has served as an Affiliate Professor at the University of Debrecen (Hungary) and an Assistant Professor (Affiliate) at Loyola University Chicago (USA). His research excellence has been recognized globally through fellowships such as the NCID Short-Term Fellowship (Singapore), the CAPES-Print Fellowship (Brazil), and the UGC-Raman International Fellowship. A prolific researcher, Prof. Rathi has published over 130 research papers and holds four patents. Beyond academia, he fosters innovation as the co-founder of HeteroChem InnoTech Pvt. Ltd. and the Open Knowledge Foundation.
Rathi Research Group
The Rathi Group operates at the innovative interface of chemistry and biology, dedicated to the discovery of novel therapeutics for parasitic diseases, cancer, rare diseases, and topical applications. Our research is anchored in a "Design-to-Discovery" workflow that integrates Rational Drug Design with Sustainable Organic Synthesis. We specialize in developing green chemistry protocols and facile synthetic methodologies for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and diverse molecular libraries. A major thrust of our group is the discovery of multistage anti-parasitic agents capable of targeting the parasite across its entire life cycle—from the liver and asexual blood stages to the gametocyte and insect ookinete stages—thereby providing a comprehensive approach to disease eradication.
To drive these discoveries, we leverage an advanced Computational and Biological infrastructure. Our computational pipeline employs Molecular Docking, MD Simulations, MM/GBSA calculations, and ADME profiling to rationally design inhibitors with high predictive accuracy. These molecules are then rigorously validated in our biological wing through High-Throughput Screening (HTS), specialized anti-parasitic assays, and cancerous cell culture studies. As we evolve, we are incorporating Protein Wet-Lab expertise to provide deep mechanistic insights into protein-ligand engagement. This holistic integration of in-silico modeling and invitro validation positions the Rathi Group at the forefront of modern medicinal chemistry.