Winner. Scientist of the Year 2026

Surya De

Academic title, degree: PhD in Organic Chemistry, FRSC, CChem, FAIC, FRSM
Fields of science: Medical Science
Research interest: Drug Discovery; Medicinal Chemistry; Molecular Therapeutics; Oncology Drug Development; Kinase Biology; Translational Medicine; Pharmaceutical Innovation
Career Development: Senior
Organization: Conju-Probe
Position: Director
City: San Diego, California
Country: United States

Dr. Surya Kanta De is a distinguished medicinal chemist, inventor, researcher, and scientific author whose work has made notable contributions to modern therapeutic science, translational medicine, and pharmaceutical innovation. As Director of Conju-Probe, San Diego, California, United States, he has built a multidisciplinary career at the intersection of Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Discovery, Oncology Research, Kinase Biology, and Translational Therapeutics, advancing both foundational science and clinically relevant technologies.

Dr. De earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organic Chemistry from Jadavpur University, following graduate studies in Chemistry and advanced scientific training that established his deep expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and molecular design. Over the course of his career, he has held research and scientific leadership appointments at prominent institutions and organizations, including the University of Washington, Purdue University, University of California, Riverside, and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, where he contributed extensively to molecular pharmacology, kinase-targeted therapeutics, and preclinical drug development.

His scientific work spans several major disease areas, including Cancer, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Metabolic Disease, Infectious Disease, and Ocular Therapeutics, with particular emphasis on the rational design of small-molecule inhibitors, targeted therapeutics, and clinically translatable compounds. Throughout this work, Dr. De has consistently demonstrated an uncommon ability to connect molecular innovation with real-world medical applications, bridging laboratory discovery and practical therapeutic development.

Dr. Surya De is also widely recognized for his scholarly leadership. He has authored more than 166 peer-reviewed scientific publications, with over 5,000 citations and an h-index of 39, reflecting sustained international impact in medicinal chemistry and biomedical research. His publications span leading areas of kinase inhibition, oncology therapeutics, COVID-19 drug discovery, molecular pharmacology, and next-generation targeted medicine.

In parallel, he has made substantial contributions to scientific education through authorship of four major solo-authored scholarly books published by John Wiley & Sons, Elsevier, and Springer Nature, including Applied Organic Chemistry; Fundamentals of Cancer Detection, Treatment, and Prevention; Medicines for Cancer; and Drug Design and Discovery: Inhibitors of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases. These works serve as valuable resources for researchers, graduate students, and professionals in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences worldwide. His books reflect not only Dr. De's technical mastery but also his exceptional ability to synthesize complex knowledge and educate future generations of scientists.

His distinguished professional standing is further reflected by his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, and by fellowships in several additional scientific societies recognizing excellence in chemistry, medicine, and biomedical advancement.

Dr. Surya De has also received several distinguished awards, including the P. R. Vijayalaxmi Award for Innovation in Cancer Research (2023), the Bharat Vidya Ratna Award (2026), the Dr. D. S. Bhakuni Award, the Bharat Shiksha Gaurav Award, and the Bharat Vibhushan Award.

Dr. Surya De’s achievements stand out for both scientific originality and practical clinical impact.

He is the inventor or co-inventor of multiple important therapeutic compounds and biomedical technologies, including BI-78D3 and BI-87G9, highly potent c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) inhibitors with significant relevance to oncology, inflammation, and metabolic disease; BI-69A11, a dual AKT / NF-κB inhibitor demonstrating strong preclinical anti-cancer potential; and BI-123C4, an EphA4 inhibitor developed for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and subsequently licensed by GlaxoSmithKline, highlighting the translational value of his discovery work.

His inventive work has also produced multiple FDA-approved medical products currently in clinical and commercial use, including:

• Spectricept^® — advanced wound-care technology for human treatment;

• Vetricept^® — wound-care technology for veterinary medicine;

• Venticare^® — sanitization and treatment technology used in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) respiratory systems.

These innovations demonstrate a broad scientific range, from medicinal chemistry and therapeutic design to regulated biomedical product development and commercialization.

Among his notable ongoing innovations is CAP4196, a novel non-surgical cataract treatment candidate that has advanced to Phase I clinical studies, reflecting his continued commitment to therapeutics with transformative clinical potential.

Dr. De’s portfolio further includes an extensive body of United States and international patents, major editorial board appointments, high-level scientific reviewing activity, invited lectures, and mentorship of emerging scientists whose careers have advanced into academia, biotechnology, medicine, and pharmaceutical research.

Through his sustained excellence in Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Translational Medicine, and Biomedical Innovation, Dr. Surya De has established himself as a scientist whose work not only advances knowledge but also produces technologies and therapies capable of improving human health on a global scale.