CSIR-CDRI’s 75th Anniversary Lecture Unveils Breakthrough in Diabetes Treatment
LUCKNOW: CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, hosted an insightful lecture on July 28, 2025, under its esteemed Translational Research Lecture Series. The event featured a compelling presentation by renowned endocrinologist Dr. Satinath Mukhopadhyay from IPGME&R-SSKM, Kolkata, titled “Dimethyl Peroxy Vanadate: A Novel Insulino-Mimetic Agent Enhancing Insulin Sensitivity.” Chaired by CSIR-CDRI Director Dr. Radha Rangarajan, the lecture highlighted the institute’s commitment to advancing translational research to address pressing health challenges like diabetes. With distinguished guest Dr. Viswajanani J. Sattigeri, Head of CSIR-TKDL, in attendance, the hybrid event brought together researchers, clinicians, and students to explore innovative therapeutic solutions for metabolic disorders.
The session was presided over by Dr. Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR-CDRI, who emphasized the importance of translational research in bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical applications, especially in the field of metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay’s lecture focused on dimethyl peroxy vanadate, a novel compound that acts as an insulino-mimetic agent, meaning it can mimic the action of insulin. In detailed scientific exposition, he explained how this compound activates insulin-signaling pathways in the absence of insulin, making it a promising therapeutic option for individuals with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.
He further elaborated on pre-clinical studies, showing that dimethyl peroxy vanadate not only stimulates glucose uptake in peripheral tissues but also enhances insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing the body’s dependence on externally administered insulin. The lecture also covered its mechanism of action, safety profile, and implications for drug development and translational research.
The session was graced by Dr. (Mrs.) Viswajanani J. Sattigeri, Chief Guest of the event and Head of the CSIR-Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit (TKDL), New Delhi. A distinguished scientist and science policy leader, Dr. Sattigeri has played a pioneering role in the preservation, protection, and digitization of India’s traditional knowledge systems. Under her leadership, the TKDL has become a global model for safeguarding traditional medicinal practices from biopiracy and integrating them with modern science.
The session drew wide participation as it was in hybrid mode. Besides researchers and scientists from CDRI, clinicians, postgraduate students, from various University and Medical colleges also joined the talk and engaged in an interactive Q&A session following the talk.
This lecture reinforced CSIR-CDRI’s ongoing efforts to bridge fundamental research and clinical application, particularly in the domain of metabolic and lifestyle-related disorders.
