Kotra Research Group

Dr. Kotra (he/him) is a researcher, teacher, inventor, entrepreneur, investor, C-level executive and enjoys challenging research projects. He is a tenured Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Toronto, and a Senior Scientist at University Health Network. Dr. Kotra has over three decades of expertise in drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development for a potential launch of pharmaceuticals and natural health products. His accomplishments include discovery and development of drug candidates/dietary supplements from discovery to clinical development to market for multiple sclerosis (Lucid-21-302), malaria (Kopakamal), diabetic neuropathy (WST-052) and acute alcohol intoxication (marketed product, unbuzzd™). Dr. Kotra serves as the Secretary on the Executive team of the Biological & Medicinal Chemistry Division, Chemical Institute of Canada, and SCI Canada Awards Committee and SCI Canada Early Careers Committee at Society of Chemical Industry, for 2024-25.

            Dr. Kotra received his B.Pharm.(Hons) from Birla Institute of Tech & Sci, Pilani, India, Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy from the University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA (under the tutelage of Prof. David C. K. Chu, discoverer of multiple antiviral drugs), and postdoctoral training at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA (under the supervision of Prof. Shahriar Mobashery).

Kotra research group at University Health Network/University of Toronto conducts investigations in the areas of medicinal chemistry, preclinical and clinical development of small molecule and natural products, and in the therapeutic areas of neurodegenerative diseases, infectious diseases, metabolic and hematological disorders. Dr. Kotra authored/co-authored over 130 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He delivered over 150 scientific and plenary talks on four continents (Asia, Europe, North America and South America). Dr. Kotra is a recipient of the Premier’s Research Excellence Award from the Province of Ontario (Canada), Rx&D Health Research Foundation Research Career award, GlaxoSmithKline/Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences Young Investigator Award, the 2021 Julia Levy award from the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) Canada and 2021 UHN Local Impact Award for Commercialization and Discovery.

Dr. Kotra led an international consortium with India (2008-2019) involving public and private organizations for the development of novel antimalarials. Dr. Kotra is a co-founder of WinSanTor Inc., San Diego, California, USA (2012-present), CIDAVA Innovations—an India-Canada joint venture (antimalarials, 2013-17), CannScience Innovations, Inc., Toronto, Canada (Scientus Pharma, Inc.; 2014-2019), and a founder/CEO of Lucid Psycheceuticals (now a sub of Quantum BioPharma; 2020-present). Dr. Kotra served on the Scientific Advisory Board of CannScience Innovations/Scientus Pharma Inc. (Toronto, 2014-19), and on the Board of Directors of WinSanTor Biosciences (San Diego, CA; 2013-2021). He currently serves on the Board of Celly Nutrition Inc. (www.cellynutrition.com; 2023-present), the Board of Directors of Quantum BioPharma (formerly FSD Pharma) (CSE/NASDAQ: QNTM, 2022-present), on the College of Reviewers at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (https://www.cihr.ca), and the editorial board of Molecules.