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Researchers at IIT Bombay have developed a new catalytic strategy that could streamline drug discovery from natural compounds, a study published in Nature shows. The method allows conversion of fatty acids into complex molecules used in medicines and other applications. Scientists said it enabled faster synthesis of compounds like muricatacin and showed potential anticancer activity in lab tests.

Mumbai: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have reported a breakthrough in catalytic chemistry that could simplify the development of medicines derived from natural compounds. Published in the journal *Nature*, the study presents a new chemical strategy for converting naturally occurring fatty acids into complex molecules commonly used in pharmaceuticals and other high-value applications.

Engineered Ligand Key to Discovery

The research centres on a specially engineered ligand that enables chemists to activate carbon-hydrogen bonds located at remote positions within aliphatic acids—an area that has traditionally been difficult to manipulate. This allows renewable fatty acid feedstocks to be transformed directly into unsaturated lactones, molecular structures that serve as important building blocks in drugs, fragrances, natural products and advanced materials.

Using the new catalytic platform, the researchers rapidly synthesised muricatacin, a naturally occurring compound isolated from soursop (Laxman Phal), in significantly fewer steps than conventional methods. The team also created several new versions of the molecule, with one analogue demonstrating anticancer activity comparable to the original compound during laboratory evaluation. The findings suggest that the approach could accelerate the search for new therapeutic candidates inspired by nature.