Dr Pradip Sen, a senior scientist at the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) in Chandigarh, has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Horizon Prize 2026. The prize recognizes an international team of 51 scientists, including Dr Sen, for their collaborative work on neglected tropical diseases leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. These diseases collectively affect more than 20 million people globally, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, with no effective vaccines currently available, according to IMTECH officials.
Details of the Award and Research
The RSC Horizon Prize is a prestigious accolade from the Royal Society of Chemistry, a UK-based learned society with about 49,000 members worldwide and patronized by King Charles III. The winning consortium, led by Durham University in the United Kingdom, focused on identifying and validating new drug targets for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease. Their work has generated tools and knowledge to accelerate the search for improved therapies. Dr Sen and his team contributed significantly to research on visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, the most severe and potentially fatal form of the disease.
Dr Sen's Research at IMTECH
At IMTECH, a constituent laboratory of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Sen investigates how the parasite Leishmania donovani infects host cells. His work also involves understanding the molecular basis of disease pathogenesis in visceral leishmaniasis and discovering new drug targets and molecules. Leishmaniasis is transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies, causing skin ulcers, destruction of nasal and oral membranes, and life-threatening internal organ infections. Chagas disease is spread by infected bug faeces, contaminated food, or blood transfusions.
Impact and Recognition
IMTECH Director Dr Alka Rao congratulated Dr Sen, stating, “The institute has been at the forefront of delivering solutions for unmet medical needs. Despite more than 1.5 billion people worldwide requiring treatment for at least one neglected tropical disease, investment in new medicines remains limited. This prize recognizes Dr Sen and IMTECH’s research efforts in tackling these major health challenges.” IMTECH, established in 1984, is a national centre of excellence in microbial science, focusing on translational research to address healthcare and industrial needs.
