Prof. Dr Subhas Karki: Professor at KLE College of Pharmacy-Bengaluru, INDIA

Dr. Subhas S. Karki is an accomplished academician and researcher with over two decades of expertise in pharmaceutical chemistry, specializing in the design and synthesis of novel drug candidates. As a Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at KLE College of Pharmacy in Bengaluru, Dr. Karki has made significant contributions to the fields of drug discovery, molecular pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry. His work, particularly in anticancer agents and DNA repair inhibitors, has led to multiple patents and peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Karki is also a prominent member of various national and international professional bodies and continues to mentor the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists.

Online Profiles

• ORCID: 0000-0002-5599-3594 – This link connects to his ORCID profile, providing a comprehensive list of his academic and research output.

• Scopus Author ID: 7004600123 – A unique identifier for Dr. Karki’s research publications in the Scopus database.

• Vidwan-ID: 262416 – His profile on Vidwan, the national database of experts and scholars in India, showcasing his academic and research contributions.

Education

Dr. Karki’s academic journey has been distinguished by top-tier institutions and notable achievements. He completed his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, where his research on Ruthenium-based anticancer agents utilized computer-aided drug design (CADD) for the development of potential therapeutics. His M.Pharm. from Karnataka University, Dharwad, where he graduated at the top of his class, focused on the synthesis of acetazolamide derivatives, contributing to significant advancements in pharmacological screenings. His foundational education began at KLE College of Pharmacy, Belgaum, where he earned his B.Pharm.

Research Focus

Dr. Karki’s research interest lies primarily in the areas of drug design, molecular pharmacology, and the development of novel therapeutic agents targeting cancer, antimicrobial infections, and inflammatory diseases. His research is particularly focused on the design and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, Ruthenium complexes, and DNA repair inhibitors. These compounds exhibit potent anticancer activity, and Dr. Karki’s lab has pioneered work on BCL-2 inhibitors and compounds aimed at targeting heat shock proteins. His innovative use of computational chemistry and molecular modeling has allowed for the rational design of more effective and targeted drug candidates with minimal side effects.

Experience

Dr. Karki’s professional career spans more than 25 years, with a proven track record in both teaching and research. Since 1996, he has been a faculty member at KLE College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru, climbing the ranks from Lecturer to Professor. His leadership roles include serving as the Vice-Principal (2016-2018) and Principal (2018-2019), where he played a key role in academic administration and fostering research-driven culture. His contributions also include serving as a visiting scholar at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, under the Boyscast Fellowship, where he collaborated on drug design research. Dr. Karki has been involved in guiding over 26 M.Pharm students and more than 10 Ph.D. candidates, with many of his students winning awards and making significant contributions to the field.

Research Timeline

• 2001–2003: Dr. Karki’s doctoral research at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, focused on utilizing computer-aided drug design (CADD) to develop novel Ruthenium derivatives as potential antineoplastic agents. His work contributed significantly to the field of computational pharmacology.

• 2005–2008: During his Boyscast Fellowship at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, Dr. Karki collaborated on the synthesis of novel anticancer agents, further enhancing his expertise in drug design and development.

• 2008–Present: As a faculty member at KLE College of Pharmacy, Dr. Karki has led several funded research projects, exploring the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds and their biological activities. His recent projects have focused on developing DNA repair inhibitors, BCL-2 inhibitors, and exploring heat shock protein inhibitors in the context of cancer therapy.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Karki’s excellence in research and teaching has been recognized through numerous awards. He was awarded the Boyscast Fellowship by the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, in 2006-07, a prestigious honor for young scientists. He has also received multiple patent awards, including US Patent No. 9,969,696B2 for inhibitors of DNA double-strand break repair and the UK Patent G82523674 for the same invention. Dr. Karki has been honored with the AORP Award (2024) for outstanding research publications by VGST, Karnataka, and has been named Best Teacher (2014) and Best Scientist (2015) by KLE University. In addition, he was recognized by the American Association of Government College of Pharmacy Alumni (2013) for his contributions to pharmaceutical sciences.

Top-Noted Publication

Dr. Karki’s published research spans a variety of journals and conferences, with his work contributing significantly to the field of medicinal chemistry and drug design. Noteworthy publications include:

1. Synthesis of Novel Pyridazine and Pyrimidine Linked Pyrazole Derivatives as DNA Ligase 1 and IV Inhibitors That Induce Apoptosis

Published in: Chemico-Biological Interactions (June 2025)
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2025.111509
Contributors: S. Aishwarya, Gabriela C. Torres, Jose A. Lopez-Saenz, Denisse A. Gutierrez, Sujeet Kumar, Ashok Madarakhandi, Basavaraj Metikurki, Nishith Teraiya, Renato J. Aguilera, Subhas S. Karki
This paper discusses the synthesis of new pyridazine and pyrimidine-based pyrazole derivatives that act as potent inhibitors of DNA Ligase 1 and DNA Ligase IV, key enzymes in the DNA repair mechanism. These derivatives have shown promise in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, making them potential candidates for future cancer therapies.

2. 1,4-Disubstituted-1,2,3-Triazole Linked Cyclic Ketones as Cytotoxic Agents

Published in: Preprint (May 2025)
DOI: 10.20944/preprints202505.1137.v1
Contributors: Aranav Kumar, Sujeet Kumar, Arnika Das, Basavraj Metikurki, Dominique Schols, Subhas S. Karki
This preprint focuses on the design and synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazole derivatives linked to cyclic ketones. These compounds have been evaluated for their cytotoxic properties, showing promising results in in vitro assays. The study highlights the potential of these compounds as new anticancer agents.

3. Investigation of Anti-Cancer Properties of Novel Curcuminoids in Leukemic Cells and Dalton Lymphoma Ascites Model

Published in: International Journal of Molecular Sciences (March 2025)
DOI: 10.3390/ijms26073186
Contributors: Vijayalakshmi Sudarshan, Shyamjith P, Sujeet Kumar, Febina Ravindran, Bibha Choudhary, Subhas S. Karki
In this article, Dr. Karki and collaborators investigate the anticancer properties of novel curcuminoids in leukemic cells and the Dalton lymphoma ascites model. The study shows that these compounds possess significant antitumor activity, offering a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer treatment.

4. Synthesis, in Silico ADME, Molecular Docking and in vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Indolin-2-one Linked Stilbene Derivatives

Published in: Asian Journal of Chemistry (February 2025)
DOI: 10.14233/ajchem.2025.33334
Contributors: Dimple Pirgal, Subhas S. Karki, Sujeet Kumar, Basavraj Metikurki
This paper highlights the design, synthesis, and evaluation of indolin-2-one linked stilbene derivatives as potential anticancer agents. The study includes an in silico ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) analysis, molecular docking studies, and in vitro cytotoxicity assays, demonstrating the promising efficacy of these compounds in cancer therapy.

5. Dysfunctional Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Sustains Drug Resistance in Cancer Cells

Published in: American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology (January 2025)
DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00538.2024
PMID: 39853268
Contributors: Gnocchi D, Nikolic D, Russo S, Matrella ML, Paparella RR, Kumar S, Karki SS, Sabbà C, Tiziana Maria Cocco, Simona Lobasso, et al.
This article explores how dysfunctional mitochondrial bioenergetics contribute to drug resistance in cancer cells. The authors highlight the biochemical changes in cancer cell mitochondria that lead to resistance against chemotherapy, suggesting new targets for overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy.