Nikunj Solanki

Dynamic professor and founder at the forefront of innovation in pharmaceutical biotechnology and AI, specializing in CRISPR-Cas/LAMP biosensors, diagnostic kit and therapeutics development, pharmacokinetics (PK/PD), nanotechnology, animal tissue culture, microbiology, and in-silico modeling (molecular docking and dynamics). Proven ability to guide over 10 postgraduate researchers while leading multi-institutional collaborations with esteemed organizations such as ICMR-NIV, Symbiosis, and MIT-ADT. Seasoned academic administrator with a strong track record in conducting hands-on AI workshops and national events, successfully translating laboratory research into commercially viable products. Currently engaged in building three startups aimed at delivering cost-effective point-of-care diagnostics and therapeutics.

• +918928035979
• +919016454096

404, Parikrama Staff quarters, Parikrama Campus, Kashti, 414701.

Collaborated with pharmacy, biotech, medical, veterinary, and AI/computing domains , demonstrating strong interdisciplinary linkages.

• One-Pot Device for Rapid RNA Isolation from Biological Fluids
  Patent Application No: 202521067168 A | Filing Date: 15/07/2025 | Publication Date: 01/08/2025
• Circular Lateral Flow Assay Device with Central Sample Distribution Hub for Multiplex Biomarker Detection
  Patent Application No: 202521093630 | Form 1 filed, Sept 2025
• Herbal Vaginal Spray Formulation for Prevention and Relief of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  Patent Application No: 20252109183 | Form 1 filed, Sept 2025
• Brain-Targeted Dry Powder Nanoparticulate Nasal Formulation
  Patent No: IN 202121031197 | Filing Date: 27/07/2020 | Published: 27/08/2021
• Inhaler Device for Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery
  Patent No: IN 202121031195 | Filing Date: 12/07/2021 | Published: 14/01/2023
• Circular Lateral Flow Assay Device
  Design Patent | Under submission
• AI-Enameled UV-Visible Spectrophotometer
  Design Patent | Under submission
• Chitosan-Coated Swab for Direct Capture of Nucleic Acids for Molecular Diagnostics
  Provisional Patent | Under submission
• Herbal Lung Spray Formulation for Prevention and Mitigation of Pollution-Induced Respiratory Damage
  Utility Patent | Under submission

• Development of a New Colorimetric MUHIT-LAMP™ Assay-Based Biosensor for Rapid and On-Site Detection of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV)
  Investigators: Nikunj Solanki, Sonal Solanki, Shyam Sundar Nandi
  Role: Principal Investigator
  Submitted to: ANRF – IRG (Inclusivity Research Grant) Scheme
  Ref. No.: 512025000711 | Date: 15 July 2025
  Proposed Budget: ₹71,80,800
• Development of a Field-Deployable, User-Friendly CRISPR–Cas13a-Based mRNA Detection Kit for Early Diagnosis of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) in Cattle
  Investigators: Sonal Solanki, Shama Aphale, Nikunj Solanki, Deepali Bansode, Shyam Sundar Nandi
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Submitted to: ANRF – ARG (Advanced Research Grant) Scheme
  File No.: ANRF/ARG/2025/010922 | Date: 15 July 2025
  Proposed Budget: ₹4,34,30,305
• Point-of-Care Detection of Tuberculosis from Saliva and Blood Using a Rapid, Low-Cost CRISPR–Cas13a Assay
  Investigators: Nikunj Solanki, Sonal Solanki, Ruchika Kaul-Ghanekar, Atul Kulkarni, Sunil Saroj, Ashwini Kamble
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Submitted to: BIRAC – GIC-TB Call
  Proposal Ref. No.: BT/TEMP26140/GCI-ETBD-15/25
  Proposed Budget: ₹50 Lakhs
• Centre for Advanced Research on Circulating miRNA Signatures in Diabetes: AI-Enabled Risk Prediction of Complications
  Investigators: Abhay Harsulkar, Nikunj Solanki, Sonal Solanki, Jayashree Prasad
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Submitted to: ICMR – CAR (Centre for Advanced Research)
  Proposal ID: CAR-2025-01-000809
  Funding: Multi-crore, Centre-level support expected
• National Image Informatics Biobank for Buffalopox: Integrated High-Frequency Imaging, Laboratory Validation and Data Hub
  Investigators: Nikunj Solanki, Shyam Sundar Nandi, Abhay Harsulkar
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Submitted to: DBT – COE (Image Data Bank Initiative)

Published Communicated / Under Communication Book Chapters — Communicated / Under Communication PROSPERO Registered Systematic Reviews

• Development, Optimization, and Characterization of Nanoengineered Drug Delivery Platforms for Tamoxifen: A Next-Generation Strategy for Sustained and Targeted Release in Hormone-Responsive Breast Cancer Treatment
  Journal of Carcinogenesis | 2025 | Journal article | DOI: 10.64149/j.carcinog.24.2s.83-96
• Formulation, Characterization, and In Vitro Cytotoxic Evaluation of Etoposide-Loaded Nanobubbles for Enhanced Cancer Chemotherapy
  Journal of Carcinogenesis | 2025 | Journal article | DOI: 10.64149/j.carcinog.24.2s.666-677
• Formulation and Characterization of Lovastatin Tablets Enteric and Non-enteric Coated with Polymer Blends for Colon-specific Drug Release
  Journal of Neonatal Surgery | 2025-03-21 | Journal article | DOI: 10.52783/jns.v14.2412
• Design and Development of Biosurfactant-Induced Nanosponges Using a QbD Approach. Part-I
  International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research | 2021 | Journal article | Vol. 9(4), 748–761
• Recent Approaches for Therapeutic Enzymes: Immobilization and Applications — A Review
  Pharma Science Monitor | 2013 | Review article | 3(4), 12–49
• Immobilization and Characterization of Porcine Pancreas Lipase on “Gellasan”
  International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Technology (IJPRT) | 2013 | Journal article | 3(2), 20–25

• Pharmacokinetic Studies of Doxorubicin-Loaded Chitosan-Crosslinked Gellan Gum Nanoparticles for Nose-to-Brain Delivery
  International Journal of Nanomedicine | 2023 | Journal article (Accepted / In press)
• Lost in Translation: Methodological Pitfalls Hindering the Clinical Utility of Extracellular Vesicle- and Circulating miRNA Biomarkers in Diabetic Kidney Disease
  Nature Medicine | 2025 | Commentary/Review (Under communication)
• AI-Enabled HPLC for Biosimilars
  Trends in Analytical Chemistry | 2025 | Review (Communicated)
• mRNA Vaccines in the One-Health Era: Bridging Human, Veterinary, and Zoonotic Applications
  Archives of Microbiology | 2025 | Review (Communicated)
• Mapping India’s Contribution to Global miRNA Research: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review
  (Under communication) | 2025 | Review
• AI-Enhanced Isothermal Biosensors for Water-Borne Pathogen Detection in Low-Resource Settings
  Nature Water | 2025 | Perspective/Review (Communicated)
• CRISPR-Dx for One Health India: A Perspective
  Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology | 2025 | Perspective (Communicated)
• Polysaccharide-Based Nanoparticles: Emerging Advances in Lung Cancer Therapy
  Cancer and Metastasis Reviews | 2025 | Review (Under communication)
• AI-Guided ADMET and Dose Design of Indian Ethnomedicinal Antidiabetic Phytochemicals: An In-Silico Pipeline with Docking, MD, and PBPK Simulation
  Natural Resources for Human Health | 2025 | Article (Under communication)
• Computational Approaches to Study ecDNA in Cancer Genomics
  Extrachromosomal DNA in Cancer: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Implications (Taylor & Francis) | 2025 | Book chapter (Communicated) |
• ecDNA in Oncogene Amplification and Tumor Progression
  Extrachromosomal DNA in Cancer: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Implications (Taylor & Francis) | 2025 | Book chapter (Communicated) |
• A Focused Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Genetic Mutations, Survival Outcomes, Ethnic Variations, Androgen Receptor Status, and Secondary Cancer Risks in Male Breast Cancer: Insights from Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Journal
  PROSPERO ID: CRD42024600690 | Date created: 12 Oct 2024 | Last edited: 06 Aug 2025
• The Role of TP53 Gene Variants in Breast Cancer Prognosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  PROSPERO ID: CRD42024605072 | Date created: 23 Oct 2024 | Last edited: 04 Nov 2024
• Prognostic Impact of BRCA Mutations on Breast Cancer Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  PROSPERO ID: CRD42024604172 | Date created: 21 Oct 2024 | Last edited: 31 Oct 2024

• Dr. Aatmaram Pawar, Principal, Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra
• Dr. S. S. Pisal, Director, Serum Institute of India, Pune, Maharashtra
• Dr Praful Bharadia, Professor, L M College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Dr. C. R. Kokare, Principal, Sinhagad Institute of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, 411041