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Dr. Yedukondalu Nalli
Scientist-C
Natural Products & Medicinal Chemistry Division
CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Canal Road, Jammu – 180001
Email: dryknalli[dot]iiim[at]csir[dot]res[dot]in
Bio Sketch
Dr. Yedukondalu Nalli is a natural products chemist at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, whose research systematically maps and expands the chemical space of Cannabis sativa L. to develop novel therapeutic leads for oncology, neurodegeneration, and antimicrobial resistance.
Using advanced spectroscopy and chromatography, he established a comprehensive cannabinoid repository of over 120 high-purity compounds spanning eight structural classes. Building on this foundation, he pioneered an Extract Engineering platform — employing iodine aromatization, Oxone oxidation, and acid-catalyzed cyclization on enriched cannabinoid fractions — to generate 66 new-to-inventory cannabinoids, including 25 entirely novel structures. Select candidates from this platform are now advancing at gram scale toward IND-enabling studies, with the broader portfolio delivering translational leads for pancreatic cancer, neuropathic pain, MRSA, and Candidiasis.
The programme has yielded 12 SCI publications, 3 patent families across 7 countries, and ₹97.5 L+ in competitive funding secured as PI and Co-PI. As an Assistant Professor at AcSIR, he mentors PhD scholars and project staff in cannabis drug discovery.
His 2026–2031 vision targets a repository of 300+ characterized cannabinoids, multiple gram-scale preclinical candidates, and end-to-end AI/ML integration across the discovery pipeline — advancing CSIR-IIIM’s most systematic cannabis-based drug development programme toward clinical impact.
Education
| Degree | Subjects | University | Qualifying Year |
| Ph.D. | Chemical Sciences (Natural Products Chemistry) | AcSIR, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu | 2016 |
| M.Sc. | Organic Chemistry | Andhra University | 2009 |
| B.Sc. | Maths, Physics, Chemistry | Andhra University | 2007 |
Position Held
| Position Held | Period | Organization |
| Scientist-C | 2022 – Present | CSIR – IIIM, Jammu |
| Senior Project Associate | 2021 – 2022 | CSIR – IIIM, Jammu |
| Postdoctoral Fellow | 2019 – 2021 | CSIR – CSMCRI, Bhavnagar |
| Senior Project Fellow | 2016 – 2019 | CSIR – IIIM, Jammu |
| Senior Research Fellow | 2012 – 2016 | CSIR – IIIM, Jammu |
| Junior Research Fellow | 2010 – 2012 | CSIR – IIIM, Jammu |
Area of Expertise
Cannabis Based Drug Discovery & Development
Systematic Isolation, Structural Characterization, and Chemical Expansion of Bioactive Secondary Metabolites from Cannabis Sativa L., Establishing a Comprehensive Cannabinoid Repository Spanning Diverse Structural Classes for Translational Drug Discovery.
Ongoing Projects
| 1. | ICMR Project No: GAP3178 | Preclinical Investigations on the Utility of Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids and their Mixtures in Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Conditions | Co-PI |
| 2. | DST & DOP Project No: GAP3138 | Centre for Marine Therapeutics (CMT) | Co-PI |
| 3. | DST – SERB Project No: CRG/2023/000483 | Genome Editing of Nicotiana Tabacum Glandular Trichomes for the Production of High-Value Diterpenoids | Co-PI |
| 4. | CSIR Mission Mode Project No: MMP025302 | Bioresource Conservation and Prospection | Member |
| 5. | CSIR – Seed Grant Project No: IHP260001 | Development of an Efficient Process for Enhanced Alkaloid Recovery from Unlanced Poppy Straw | Member |
Completed Projects
| 1. | DST – Project No: PDF/2018/000758 |
Discovery of Bio-Active Therapeutics from Microorganisms Associated with Untapped Marine Bio-Resources | PI |
| 2. | CSIR – Seed Grant Project No: RDSF/IIIM/IHP24/08 |
Extract Engineering of Cannabis Sativa: A Versatile Tailoring Tool Towards Expansion of Cannabinoids Chemical Diversity | PI |
| 3. | CSIR Mission Mode Project No: HCP532401 |
Translational Neuroscience: Pharmacological Validation of Key Biological Pathways Involved in The Neurodegenerative Diseases | Co-PI |
| 4. | CSIR – Seed Grant Project No: CSPS24/RDSF/IIIM/IHP24/11 |
Investigating the Neuroprotective Potential of Cannabis Spiro-Indans for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease through NMDAR Modulation. | Co-PI |
| 5. | CSIR – Seed Grant Project No: CSPS24/RDSF/IIIM/IHP24/04 |
Preclinical Investigation of Mahanimbine Targeting Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Colorectal Cancer | Member |
| 6. | CSIR – Fast Track Translation Project No: FTT050511 | Optimization and Scale-Up of Marine-Derived Peptide Antibiotic Molecule Using Bacterial Fermentation Route | Member |
| 7. | CSIR – Phyto pharma Mission (Phase III) | Pre-IND Enabling Studies on Adhatoda Vasica Extracts | Member |
Publications
Complete list of publications: Click Here
| Authors | Title | Journal |
|
Yedukondalu Nalli*, Eleonora Boccia, Gianluigi Lauro, Giuseppe Bifulco, Gamidi Rama Krishna |
Phytochemical Investigation Of Cannabis Sativa: Isolation and Structure Determination of Spiro-Indans |
Journal of Molecular Structure |
|
Singh, B., Thappa, C., Komal, Laasya Priya, P., Begum, S., Yedukondalu Nalli*, Gopu, B. |
Two New Dibenzyl-Γ-Butyrolactone Lignans With Cytotoxic Activity from Himalaiella Heteromalla, An Indian Himalayan Plant. |
Natural Product Research |
|
Ravi S. Manhas, Neha Sharma, Safeya Begum, Yedukondalu Nalli*, Asha Chaubey |
(3R)-Obscurolide A: A New Obscurolide From Streptomyces Chartreusis SA-7 Isolated from Soil of The Northwestern Himalayas |
Natural Product Research |
|
Komal, Chandan Tappa, Kritika Sharma, Safeya Begum, Farina Sultan, Manu Khajuria, Yedukondalu Nalli* |
Iinulevs-A, A New Sesquiterpene Lactone from The Leaves of Inula Racemosa Hook. F. |
Natural Product Research |
|
Yedukondalu Nalli; Mir, K. B.; Amin, T.; Gannedi, V.; Jameel, E.; Goswami, A.; Ali, A. |
Divergent Synthesis of Fractionated Cannabis Sativa Extract Led to Multiple Cannabinoids C-& O-Glycosides with Anti-Proliferative/Anti-Metastatic Properties. |
Bioorganic Chemistry |
|
Yedukondalu Nalli; Bharti, S.; Amin, T.; Singh, R.; Behera, J.; Bhayye, S. S.; Bharitkar, Y. P.; Goswami, A.; Verma, M. K. |
Bioassay-Guided Fractionations of Cannabis Sativa Extract and HPLC-Assisted Purifications of Anti-Proliferative Active Fractions Lead to The Isolation of 16 Known and One New Phytomolecule and Their in-Silico Analysis. |
Medicinal Chemistry Research |
|
Singh, B.; Singh, A.; Rana, S.; Sharma, K.; Viswakarma, P.; Yedukondalu, N*; Gopu, B. |
Canniprene B, A New Prenylated Dihydrostilbene with Cytotoxic Activities from The Leaves of Cannabis Sativa. |
Natural Product Research |
|
Thapa, S.; Yedukondalu Nalli; Singh, A.; Singh, S. K.; Ali, A. |
Neuroprotective Effects of Cannabispirenone a Against NMDA-Induced Excitotoxicity in Differentiated N2a Cells |
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity |
|
Qasam, I.; Nawaz, S.; Kumari, H.; Chauhan, N.; Yedukondalu Nalli; Yadav, G. |
Evaluation of Anti‐Inflammatory and Immunosuppressant Potential of Isotelekin in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Stimulated Macrophage (RAW 264.7) and Sheep Red Blood Cells (SRBC) Sensitized Murine Models. |
Advanced Biology |
|
Mir, K. B.; Chakraborty, S.; Amin, T.; Kumar, A.; War, A. R.; Yedukondalu Nalli; Kumar, R.; Kumar, L. D.; Ali, A.; Goswami, A. |
Canonical DDR Activation By EMT Inducing Agent 5-Fluorouracil is Modulated By A Cannabinoid Based Combinatorial Approach Via Inducing Autophagy and Suppression of Vimentin Expression. |
Biochemical Pharmacology |
|
Unni, S.; Kommu, P.; Aouti, S.; Yedukondalu Nalli; Bharath, M. S.; Ali, A.; Padmanabhan, B. |
Structural Insights into The Modulation of SOD1 Aggregation By A Fungal Metabolite Phialomustin-B: Therapeutic Potential in ALS. |
Plos one |
Patents
| Inventors/ Contributors | Title | Description | Year |
|
Asif Ali, Goswami, A, Souneek, C, Khalid, M. B, Veeranjaneyulu, G, Waseem, I. L, Yedukondalu Nalli |
Cannabinoids C- and O-Glycosides Possessing Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Metastatic Roperties and Process for Preparation Thereof |
IN patent application No. IN202111044828 |
2022 |
|
Padmanabhan, B, Asif Ali, Deshmukh, P, Unni, S, Yedukondalu Nalli, Bharath, M. M. S, Syed, R. H, Ahmed, W. Z |
Phialomustin B, A Natural Product Isolated from an Endophytic Fungus Phialophora Mustea With Novel Therapeutic Potential for Parkinson’s Disease (Pd) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als) |
IN patent application number IN202211019288 |
2022 |
Recognition for Patent Filings
- Recognized on CSIR-IIIM 84th Foundation Day (2024) for multiple patent applications:
- Canada (CA3242656) & Europe (EP23778704.9)
- Australia (AUS18691945), Ireland (IL311695), Canada (CA3233367), USA (US18/697626), & Europe (EP22875338)
- India (IN202411012579)
- Recognized on CSIR-IIIM 83rd Foundation Day (2023) for filing an international patent application (WO2023187838A1).
Fellowships & Associateships
- SERB – National Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2019 – 2021
- CSIR – Research Associateship, 2019 – 2020
- UGC – Research Fellowship, 2012 – 2016
- UGC – Research Fellowship, 2010 – 2012
Other Distinctions
- Award for Outstanding Contribution of Natural Products to Col Sir R.N. Chopra Repository, CSIR Foundation Day, 2014
- Qualified Joint CSIR–UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), 2008
Current Group Members
| Photo | Name | Focus of Interest | Position |
 |
Ms. Komal (PhD Scholar, AcSIR) Email: komalgupta141299@ |
Development of an Efficient Process for Enhanced Alkaloid Recovery from Unlanced Poppy Straw (IHP260001) | Project Associate-I |
| Extract Engineering of Cannabis Sativa (CSPS24/RDSF/IIIM/IHP24/08) |
Project Associate-I (28th June 2024 to 31st March 2026) |
||
| Isolation and Characterization of Phenethylcinnamides from Cannabis Sativa |
Post-Graduate Trainee: (10th July 2023 – 9th Jan 2024) |
||
 |
Ms. Prachi Chourasia Email: chourasiaprachi2930@ |
Exploring Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa for the Management of Diabetic Neuropathic Pain (GAP-3178) | Project Technical Support-III:(20th June 2025 – 31st March 2028) |
 |
Mr. Koushik Sai Santhosh Koka Email: koushik.koka2003@gmail.com |
Bioresource Conservation and Prospection (MMP025302) |
Project Assistant-II (1st Aug 2025 – 31st Mar 2028) |
Past Group Members
| Photo | Name | Focus of Interest | Position |
 |
Ms. Tanvi Singh |
Discovering Neuro-Protective Secondary Metabolites from Non-Edible Mushrooms (HCP532401) | Project Associate-I: (2nd July 2025 – 31st Dec 2025) |
 |
Dr. Chandan Thappa Email: chandanthappa2@gmail.com |
Discovering New/Bio-Active Marine Natural Products Under the Project Titled Centre for Marine Therapeutics (GAP3138) |
Senior Project Associate: 18th June 2024 – 17th Oct 2025 |
 |
Ms. Mehak Bhat Email: |
Isolation and Structure Determination of secondary metabolites from Cannabis Sativa | Post-Graduate Trainee (21st May 2025 – 22nd July 2025) |
 |
Ms. Safeya Begum Email: |
Discovery of neuro-protective secondary metabolites from non-edible mushrooms under the Translational neuroscience (HCP53240) | Project Associate-I: (25th April 2024 – 25th April 2025) |
| North Western Himalayas: A Hidden Treasure of Microorganisms for Bioactive Natural Products |
Post-Graduate Trainee (10th July 2023 – 9th Jan 2024) |
||
 |
Ms. Pooja Vishwakarma Email: |
Isolation and Structure Determination of Spiro-Indans from Cannabis Sativa |
Post-Graduate Trainee (12th June 2023 – 11th Dec 2023) |
 |
Ms. Kirti Sharma Email: |
Isolation and Characterization of Dihydrophenanthrenes from Cannabis Sativa |
Post-Graduate Trainee (10th July 2023 – 9th Jan 2024) |
