A debut novel, coming soon
The Molecule That Lived
A Story of Science, Hope, and the Long Road to Medicine
What does it take for a molecule to become a medicine?
For a patient waiting for treatment, a medicine is hope. But before it reaches a prescription pad, it must survive years of experiments, failures, funding battles, regulatory scrutiny, and clinical trials.
The Molecule That Lived is the story of patients waiting for answers and a small team of scientists determined to discover a medicine for a disease the pharmaceutical industry has largely overlooked.
Inspired by the realities of modern drug discovery, it is a story of science, hope, failure, perseverance, and the extraordinary human journey behind every medicine.
Because every medicine begins as a molecule. But only a few live long enough to change a life.
- Foreword
- Dr. Shridhar Narayanan
- ISBN
- 978-93-5943-991-4
- Release
- Coming soon
The long road to medicine
Every medicine on a pharmacy shelf travelled this road first. Most molecules never reach the end of it.
- DiscoveryThousands of molecules made and tested against a disease
- PreclinicalProving it is safe enough to give to a person
- Phase IFirst doses in people, usually healthy volunteers
- Phase IIDoes it work in patients?
- Phase IIILarge trials to be sure it works and is safe
- ApprovalRegulators decide whether it becomes a medicine
The novel follows one molecule along this road, and the people who refuse to give up on it.
From the foreword
“What impressed me most while reading this book is that it does not merely describe science; it humanizes it.”
“Scientists will recognize the authenticity of the narrative, while readers from outside the field will gain a deeper appreciation of the immense effort, patience, and perseverance required to transform an idea into a medicine.”
Dr. Shridhar Narayanan Founder, Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR) Co-founder, Peptris Technologies
About the author
Dr. Nagaraj Kulkarni is a scientist, drug discovery leader, and science communicator who has dedicated more than two decades to the search for new medicines. His career has spanned academia, global pharmaceutical research, and AI-driven drug discovery, with a singular purpose: translating scientific discoveries into therapies that improve patients’ lives.
Currently serving as Chief Scientist, Drug Discovery at Sravathi AI Technology Pvt. Ltd., Dr. Kulkarni leads multidisciplinary teams working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, computational science, and artificial intelligence. His work has contributed to drug discovery programs in oncology, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, and other areas of significant unmet medical need. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications, is an inventor on multiple patent applications, and has helped advance innovative therapeutic programs from concept to preclinical development.
Dr. Kulkarni earned his PhD in Pharmacology from SASTRA University, India, and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply interested not only in the science of discovering medicines, but also in the people whose lives depend on them.
Beyond the laboratory, he is the founder of Pharmacology Insiders, a growing community dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and the pharmaceutical industry through education, mentorship, and scientific dialogue. He is a frequent speaker on drug discovery, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and innovation in pharmaceutical research, and is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists.
The Molecule That Lived: A Story of Science, Hope, and the Long Road to Medicine is his debut novel. Inspired by the realities of modern drug discovery and the resilience of patients living with chronic illness, it reflects his belief that behind every medicine is a decade of perseverance, countless unseen failures, and an unwavering commitment to improving human lives.
When he is not thinking about molecules, Dr. Kulkarni enjoys writing about science, mentoring young researchers, and exploring the remarkable stories that unfold where science and humanity meet.
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Send a short email and you’ll get a note the day The Molecule That Lived is available. The same address is open for speaking invitations, interviews and publishing enquiries.
Email to join the launch list- nagaraj (at) nagarajkulkarni.com
- linkedin.com/in/nagarajkulkarni