Ganga Reddy Velma

Ganga Reddy Velma is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Arizona R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. He is a medicinal chemist and drug discovery scientist with more than 13 years of research experience spanning synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry, structure-based drug design, lead optimization, and preclinical drug development.

Dr. Velma's research focuses on the discovery and development of small-molecule therapeutics for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and infectious diseases. His work integrates rational drug design, synthetic organic chemistry, and medicinal chemistry with pharmacological evaluation, ADME/DMPK, and preclinical studies to advance promising compounds from initial discovery toward preclinical development.

At the University of Arizona, his research has contributed to multiple therapeutic programs, including targeted approaches for triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer, small-molecule strategies for Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, and antiviral agents targeting SARS-CoV-2. His research interests particularly include the design of multifunctional and targeted molecules, optimization of potency and selectivity, and improvement of pharmacokinetic and drug-like properties.

Prior to joining the University of Arizona, Dr. Velma was a research fellow at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. He received his PhD in medicinal chemistry from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, India. 

His research has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and intellectual property, including patent applications and granted patents, across multiple areas of drug discovery. His long-term research goal is to advance innovative medicinal chemistry and drug discovery programs toward translational development and ultimately deliver new therapeutic candidates for diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

Research Interests:

Synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry 
Small-molecule drug discovery and lead optimization 
Cancer therapeutics 
Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegenerative disorders 
Antiviral drug discovery 
Structure-based drug design, SAR, and ADME/DMPK

Research Focus:

Cancer Drug Discovery: Development of targeted small-molecule therapeutics for aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers, including TNBC and ovarian cancer.

Neurodegenerative Disease Drug Discovery: Medicinal chemistry approaches targeting mechanisms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Antiviral Drug Discovery: Development of small-molecule antiviral agents, including SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics.

Medicinal Chemistry & Lead Optimization: Structure-based design, SAR, multi-step synthesis, pharmacological characterization, and optimization of drug-like properties.

Translational Drug Development: Integration of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, ADME/DMPK, PK/PD, and preclinical development.

Selected Publications:

Velma, G. R.; Kumar, S.; Srivastava, P.; Misra, S.; Nair, R. S.; Musku, S. R.; Ackerman-Berrier, M.; Singh, S. K.; Vyas, H.; Alves, E. T. M.; Rana, B.; Xiong, R.; Bloem, L.; Rana, A.; Thatcher, G. R. J. Mixed Lineage Kinase Suppression in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Identification of a Dual Inhibitor Targeting MLK3 and NAMPT. J. Med. Chem. 2026, 69, 14191–14212. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c03558

Velma, G. R.; Laham, M. S.; Lewandowski, C.; Valencia-Olvera, A. C.; Balu, D.; Moore, A.; Ackerman-Berrier, M.; Rychetsky, P.; Penton, C.; Musku, S. R.; Annadurai, A.; Sulaiman, M. I.; Ma, N.; Thatcher, G. R. J. Nonlipogenic ABCA1 Inducers (NLAI) for Alzheimer’s Disease Validated in a Mouse Model Expressing Human APOE3/APOE4. J. Med. Chem. 2024, 67, 15061–15079. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00733

Velma, G. R.; Shen, Z.; Holberg, C.; Fu, J.; Soleymani, F.; Cooper, L.; Ramos, O. L.; Indukuri, D.; Musku, S. R.; Rychetsky, P.; Slilaty, S.; Li, Z.; Ratia, K.; Rong, L.; Schenten, D.; Xiong, R.; Thatcher, G. R. J. Non-Covalent Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-Like Protease (PLpro): In Vitro and In Vivo Antiviral Activity. J. Med. Chem. 2024, 67, 13681–13702. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00378