Researchers in India have secured a patent for a new laboratory technique that could unlock a hidden trove of cancer-fighting compounds from natural sources. The Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) developed the method using extracts from the green mussel, a marine species abundant along Kerala’s coast, to overcome a major hurdle in drug discovery.
The patented approach tackles a persistent problem in cancer research: many promising bioactive compounds are water-insoluble, meaning they do not dissolve in the water-based media used in standard laboratory tests. The conventional MTT assay, a widely used cell viability test, often produces unreliable results for these lipid-soluble substances. As a result, scientists have frequently abandoned potentially valuable drug candidates because they could not accurately measure their anti-cancer effects.
The CUSAT team solved this by modifying the standard MTT assay with a carefully selected non-polar solvent. This adjustment allows for accurate and consistent screening of water-insoluble compounds, including those derived from marine organisms. In initial work, the team applied the method to extracts from Perna viridis, the green mussel, demonstrating that the technique can reliably evaluate anti-cancer potential where traditional tests fail.
Researcher K.R. Divya, part of the team, said the patented technique could significantly speed up the search for safer and more effective cancer drugs. It enables scientists to identify promising natural compounds that were previously difficult or impossible to assess. The research was led by Dr. N. Chandramohanakumar, former professor in the Department of Chemical Oceanography, along with scholars Divya and Saipriya T.P. from the Department of Biotechnology. The patent process was supported by CUSAT’s IPR Facilitation Cell under its Inter University Centre for IPR Studies.
This innovation matters beyond a single species. The method opens new avenues for screening marine natural products broadly, which are considered a rich but underexplored source of pharmaceuticals. Many compounds from sponges, algae, and mollusks are hydrophobic, or water-repelling, and have historically been overlooked due to testing limitations.
What This Means for Future Cancer Therapies
For patients, the long-term hope is a faster pipeline of novel anti-cancer drugs derived from natural sources. By making it easier to evaluate these compounds in the lab, researchers can prioritize the most promising candidates for further development, including preclinical and clinical trials. The technique also offers a more cost-effective and reliable way to test large libraries of natural extracts, which is critical for pharmaceutical research.
The CUSAT team believes this invention could contribute significantly to global efforts in developing new cancer therapies. While the method is currently a laboratory tool rather than a treatment, it represents a foundational step. The next phase involves applying the technique to a wider range of marine organisms and collaborating with pharmaceutical partners to move promising compounds toward clinical testing. With this patent secured, the path from ocean to medicine may become considerably shorter.