Postdoctoral Researcher, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, CAS,China
Dr. Emmanuel Mintah Bonku is a passionate and dedicated postdoctoral researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences. A Ghanaian scientist, he holds a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. His work is centered on green and sustainable drug development, particularly in the synthesis of antiviral drugs such as tecovirimat for emerging infectious diseases like monkeypox. He has developed innovative synthetic methodologies, producing 180 kg of tecovirimat, now under registration with the Chinese National Medical Drug Administration. A recipient of the Excellent International Graduate Award, Dr. Bonku is committed to advancing drug development while promoting sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector. His work spans diverse therapeutic areas, including neuropsychiatric, infectious disease, and reproductive health drug development.
Profile
Education
Dr. Bonku earned a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he specialized in green and sustainable drug development, with a focus on medicinal administration. Prior to this, he completed a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Technology at Wuhan University of Science and Technology, studying biotransformation and sustainable chemistry of natural products. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a focus on ethnobotany from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. In addition to his formal education, Dr. Bonku has undertaken various certifications and training in project management, biosafety laboratory techniques, and green chemistry. His educational journey has been complemented by hands-on research experience, leading to significant contributions to the field of medicinal chemistry.
Experience
Dr. Bonku has diverse research and industry experience. As a Research Assistant at the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, he contributed to COVID-19 research and assisted in product registration. He also mentored interns in laboratory techniques and chemical process safety. He worked as a Research Student at Topharman Company Limited in Shanghai, where he led initiatives for sustainable pharmaceutical synthesis and API recovery, focusing on good manufacturing practices. His experience at Vigonvita Life Sciences Ltd. involved research and business development, focusing on antiviral drug registration for diseases like monkeypox. As a research intern at Wuhan University, Dr. Bonku worked on the biotransformation of natural products and mentored colleagues on English proficiency, fostering cross-cultural collaboration. His career has been marked by his ability to integrate research with practical applications in drug development.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Bonku’s exceptional contributions to medicinal chemistry have earned him several awards and honors. In 2024, he was honored with the Excellent International Graduate Award from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, recognizing his groundbreaking work in antiviral drug synthesis. He also received a Certificate of Honor from Vision Vocational Technical Institute for his outstanding academic contributions. Dr. Bonku was named the Most Innovative Organizing Secretary by NASPA Ghana in 2017 for his leadership in promoting public health education. These recognitions highlight his commitment to advancing the fields of pharmaceutical chemistry and sustainability, inspiring future generations of scientists. His dedication to research excellence has positioned him as a rising star in the global scientific community.
Research Focus
Dr. Bonku’s research focuses on the development of sustainable and green methodologies for the synthesis of antiviral drugs, with particular emphasis on emerging infectious diseases like monkeypox. He has pioneered novel synthetic processes, including the large-scale production of tecovirimat, an antiviral drug currently under review by the Chinese National Medical Drug Administration. Additionally, his work includes the development of antipsychotic drugs such as cariprazine for schizophrenia, as well as benzimidazole-based compounds for antihypertensive and anthelmintic purposes. Dr. Bonku is also interested in advancing green chemistry principles in pharmaceutical development, aiming to reduce environmental impact while enhancing drug efficacy. His research bridges the gap between sustainable chemistry and practical healthcare solutions, driving innovation in drug development.
Publications
- A review of the synthetic strategies toward the antiviral drug tecovirimat 🦠
- An Alternative Approach to Synthesize Sildenafil via Improved Copper-Catalyzed Cyclization 💊
- An Improved Iodine-Catalyzed Aromatization Reaction and Its Application in the Synthesis of a Key Intermediate of Cannabidiol 🌿
- Improved and ligand-free copper-catalyzed cyclization for an efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles from o-bromoarylamine and nitriles 🧪
- Impurity study of tecovirimat 🧫
- Direct esterification of amides by the dimethylsulfate-mediated activation of amide C–N bonds 🔬
- An Efficient Synthesis of the Last Step Key Intermediate for Telmisartan Via Pd Catalyzed Carbonylative Cyclization 💉
- Efficient Large-Scale Process for Tecovirimat via Reactive Distillation for the Preparation of Cycloheptatriene 💼
- Synthesis of Methyl Olivetolate Analogues Via Iodine Catalyzed Oxidative Reaction 🌱
- Optimized Synthesis of the Key Intermediate of Telmisartan via the Cyclization of 2-Bromoarylamine with n-Butyronitrile 💊
- An efficient synthesis of the last step key intermediate for telmisartan via Pd catalyzed carbonylative cyclization ⚙️
- Optimized Synthesis of a Key Intermediate of Nirmatrelvir 🔑
- Facile Synthesis of Benzimidazoles via N-Arylamidoxime Cyclization 💡
- Synergistic Effect and Structure–Property of Bio-based 1,6-Hexanediol on Thermal, Mechanical and Degradation Properties of Biopolymers 🛠️
- Establishment of a propolis ethanolic extract self-microemulsifying drug delivery system and its antibacterial activity 💊
- Extraction of essential oil from Citrus reticulate Blanco peel and its antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes 🍊
- An Alkali-tolerant Carbonyl Reductase from Bacillus subtilis by Gene Mining: Identification and Application 🧬