Lucknow: Researchers from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, have been granted an Indian patent for a groundbreaking novel drug compound developed for the treatment of Lupus Nephritis (LN), a severe kidney disease associated with lupus. The patent has been awarded to Dr. Yusuf Akhtar and his Ph.D. scholar Dr. Garima Singh from the Department of Biotechnology, along with Dr. Jawaharlal Jat from the Department of Chemistry. On this occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, congratulated the research team on this remarkable achievement and described it as a matter of pride for the university.
Dr. Yusuf Akhtar and his Ph.D. student Dr. Garima Singh utilized advanced computational models to screen more than 155,000 drug-like compounds. Based on binding affinity with BST-2, safety and bioavailability profiles, and the absence of mutagenic or carcinogenic risks, they identified FRP-024 as the most promising candidate. Dr. Jawaharlal Jat and his Ph.D. student Ashirvad successfully synthesized the compound in the laboratory with a 74% yield while ensuring chemical purity and quality. Under the guidance of Dr. Ratika Srivastava, Ph.D. scholar Dr. Khushboo conducted rigorous in-vitro studies to validate the efficacy and safety of the compound in biological systems mimicking Lupus Nephritis. A process that traditionally requires 5–10 years of laboratory work and costs millions of rupees was completed within months through computational drug discovery. The team virtually screened 155,771 drug-like compounds against the BST-2 protein, narrowing them down to 302 binding candidates, then to 51 compounds with acceptable safety profiles, followed by 3 compounds free from the risk of genetic damage.
Ultimately, FRP-024 emerged as the sole final candidate for synthesis and biological validation.
Lupus Nephritis affects thousands of lupus patients worldwide. In laboratory studies, FRP-024 demonstrated highly promising results and represents a significant advancement toward the development of targeted therapies for this life-threatening condition.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that remains a major global health concern. It is estimated that nearly five million people worldwide suffer from some form of lupus. Epidemiological studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries have reported an annual incidence rate of approximately five cases per 100,000 population. The disease disproportionately affects women, with a female-to-male ratio of 9:1, and commonly manifests during the reproductive years.
The mortality burden associated with SLE remains highly concerning. Death rates among SLE patients are still two to three times higher than those in the general population, with infections and cardiovascular diseases being the most common causes of death worldwide. In Europe, the standardized mortality ratio among SLE patients is generally around 2, whereas in some parts of Asia it can reach as high as 11, highlighting significant regional disparities in outcomes. A large population-based study reported an average annual standardized mortality rate of 18.6 per 1,000 person-years among SLE patients, with the highest risk observed during the first year following diagnosis.
A hospital-based study conducted in India found that Lupus Nephritis was the most common organ complication among deceased SLE patients, being present in approximately 85% of deaths. Most of these patients were young women with an average age of only 30.6 years.
Lupus Nephritis is a kidney complication of SLE in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own kidneys, potentially leading to kidney failure and death. Women are nine times more likely than men to develop lupus, and nearly 60% of affected women experience kidney damage that can become life-threatening within two years if left untreated. Approximately 40% of all SLE patients develop Lupus Nephritis, making it the most prevalent form of secondary glomerulonephritis. An estimated 10–30% of patients progress to end-stage renal disease within the first ten years of the disease.
Current treatment options primarily rely on steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, which are associated with severe side effects, high relapse rates upon dose reduction, and a lack of specificity for lupus-induced kidney damage. Despite years of treatment, many patients fail to achieve complete remission.
The newly patented compound, FRP-024, works by specifically targeting a protein known as BST-2, which plays a central role in triggering inflammation in the kidneys and immune cells during Lupus Nephritis. By blocking this protein, FRP-024 suppresses the inflammatory cascade responsible for damaging kidney tissue. Unlike current broad-spectrum therapies, FRP-024 directly targets the underlying mechanism responsible for kidney injury. In laboratory studies, the compound reduced inflammatory markers by up to 85% and showed no toxic effects.
One of the most significant findings is that FRP-024 appears to work synergistically with existing steroid medications.
This means that patients may be able to achieve equal or improved therapeutic outcomes while using lower doses of steroids. Such a “steroid-sparing” effect could dramatically reduce the severe side effects currently experienced by patients and substantially improve the quality of life of individuals suffering from Lupus Nephritis.
Although these laboratory results are highly promising, FRP-024 must undergo extensive animal studies and human clinical trials before receiving approval for patient use. Nevertheless, the successful patent grant and encouraging preliminary data represent a major milestone. Given the substantial burden imposed by Lupus Nephritis on patients particularly young women in India and across Asia , the research team remains optimistic that FRP-024 may one day provide a safer, more effective, and more targeted treatment option for those who need it most.
On this occasion, other faculty members, researchers, and students of the university also congratulated the research team on this significant achievement.
