Prof Reddanna of University of Hyderabad to be awarded the prestigious FAPCCI Award

Hyderabad|India|Recognizing the outstanding contribution in the area of anti-cancer drug discovery programs, the "Outstanding Scientist or Engineer in the State for the benefit of Industry, Trade or Agriculture (The Chelikani Atchuta Rao Memorial Cash Award of Rs. 7001/-) Instituted by Late Sri C.V. Sitaramaswamy, Past-President, FAPCCI" for the year 2006-07 has been awarded to Prof.P. Reddanna (Scientist), Professor and Founding Coordinator, Centre for Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.The award will be presented by Dr.Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 4 December 2008


Dr P. Reddanna after getting his Masters (1976) and Doctorate (PhD) (1979) in Science, joined as lecturer at Sri Venkateswara University in 1982. In 1990 he moved to University of Hyderabad as reader and became professor in 1998. He did post doctoral research at Penn State University (1984-87) and was visiting faculty at Johns Hopkins University, USA (2005) and Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany (2004).

Prof. Reddanna has been working in the area inflammation and cancer, specifically on the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and eicosanoids for the past 30 years. PUFAs such as arachidonic acid is mainly oxygenated by cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways to generate eicosanoids such as prostaglandins, the mediators of inflammation & cancer and leukotrienes, the mediators of allergy and asthma. While working on basic research to understand the role of eicosanoids in reproduction, he also studied their role in inflammation and cancer, which helped him to interact with the leading pharma and biotech companies in the country. Some of the companies include Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Shantha Biotechnics, Indian Immunologicals, Surya Pharmaceuticals, Medgene Biotech, Laila Impex, Dabur Research Foundation, etc. Currently he has ongoing industrial research projects sponsored by Natco Pharma, Hyderabad; ABL Biotechnologies, Chennai, Celestial Laboratories, Hyderabad and Onconova Therapeutics, USA.

The significant work done during the year of Award is in the area anti-cancer drug discovery programs in collaboration with the leading pharma industries.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a genetic disorder involving chromosomal translocation, 'Philadelphia Chromosome', leading to increased tyrosine kinase activity. Selective inhibition of the BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase by imatinib (Glivec/GleevecTM) is the most preferred therapeutic strategy for CML patients. Despite significant hematologic and cytogenetic responses with imatinib, resistance occurs, particularly in patients with advanced disease. In this direction, Prof. Reddanna has screened various imatinib analogs and identified potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors and demonstrated their efficacy in chornic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line, K562. These patented drug candidates are being tested in animal models by Natco Pharma. Further studies from his group have shown the involvement of COX-2 and MDR-1 in the development of imatinib resistance in CML cell line and use of COX-2 specific inhibitors in overcoming drug resistance. These findings open up a novel approach in the treatment of cancer patients with multidrug resistance.

Another major contribution of Prof. Reddanna is the development of high throughput screening (HTS) assays for screening compound libraries. These HTS methods were helpful in screening the compound libraries at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, to identify COX-2 specific and 5-LOX inhibitors. In addition, his group has isolated and indentified several natural products with anticancer properties against CML and elucidated the molecular mechanisms involved. Some of these include C-phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis, fatty acid hydroperoxides, betacyanin from Opuntia fruits etc. Further studies, in collaboration with ABL biotechnologies, Chennai, are in progress on the development of C-phycocyanin based anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drugs.

Prof. Reddanna, as Vice-President of All India Biotech Association (AIBA)- Southern Chapter and Secretary, India Chapter of Federation of Indian Biotech Associations (FABA), also played a key role in the organization of several seminars/conferences, including the recently concluded BioAsia 2008, a global biobusiness forum.

In summary Prof. Reddanna, while trying to understand basic mechanisms involved in inflammation and cancer, has contributed immensely to the growth and development of Indian industry specifically in the area of drug discovery.

Recognizing the outstanding contribution in the area of anti-cancer drug discovery programs, the "Outstanding Scientist or Engineer in the State for the benefit of Industry, Trade or Agriculture (The Chelikani Atchuta Rao Memorial Cash Award of Rs. 7001/-) Instituted by Late Sri C.V. Sitaramaswamy, Past-President, FAPCCI" for the year 2006-07 has been awarded to Prof.P. Reddanna (Scientist), Professor and Founding Coordinator, Centre for Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.