Associate Professor · Head, Anticancer Drugs Research Lab · Al-Quds University

Dr. Yousef
Najajreh, Ph.D.

Innovating Anticancer Chemistry and Medicinal Discoveries at the Forefront of Drug Research

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37+
Publications
10+
Patents
25+
Years Research
Biography

About Dr. Najajreh

Dr. Yousef Najajreh

Dr. Yousef Najajreh

Ph.D., Associate Professor


Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University

Dr. Yousef Salem Najajreh is an Associate Professor and Head of the Anticancer Drugs Research Lab at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine. With over 25 years of research experience, he is an internationally recognized expert in medicinal chemistry, drug design, and anticancer drug discovery.

He has held major leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy (2014–2017) and Dean of Scientific Research (2011–2014) at Al-Quds University. His research spans computationally guided design of platinum-based anticancer agents, allosteric kinase inhibitors, immunoproteasome inhibitors, liposomal drug delivery systems, and targeting DNA repair pathways in triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Najajreh has extensive industrial experience as a Scientific Advisor (PHARMASENSE LTD and Bioline RX), holds 10+ international patent applications, and has published over 37 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in leading journals worldwide.

He maintains active international research collaborations with MIT, Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany), Cardiff University (UK), EPFL (Switzerland), the University of Western Ontario (Canada), Sorbonne Université (France), and others. Dr. Najajreh is a recipient of the Al-Masrouji Award 2021 (1st Place) for his work on dual ABL/JAK2 allosteric inhibitors for leukemia treatment.

Education

Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry (1993–1999)

School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University – Jerusalem

Thesis: Methods in Site-Specific Labeling of Oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) with Platinum Anti-Cancer Drugs

M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1991–1993)

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University

Thesis: Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity of Platinum-Anthraquinone Complexes

B.Sc. in Chemistry (1988–1991)

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Foundation in Chemical Sciences

B.Sc. Student (1985–1987)

Faculty of Science, Bethlehem University

Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy

Aug 2014 – Aug 2017

Al-Quds University

Dean of Scientific Research

Aug 2011 – Aug 2014

Al-Quds University

Head, Anticancer Drugs Research Lab

2006 – Present

Al-Quds University

Scientific Advisor – Industry

2002–2004 & 2009–2010

PHARMASENSE LTD & Bioline RX

Areas of Focus

Research Interests & Labs

Pioneering research at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, drug design, and oncology to develop next-generation anticancer therapeutics.

Platinum-Based Anticancer Prodrugs

Computationally guided design, synthesis and assessment of functionalized Pt(IV) derivatives in liposomal formulations to overcome resistance of approved Pt(II) drugs like cisplatin.

Pt(IV) Prodrugs Liposomes Drug Resistance

Allosteric Kinase Inhibitors

Identification and discovery of selective allosteric inhibitors of oncogenic kinases (BCR-ABL, JAK2) to overcome cancer drug resistance — including dual ABL/JAK2 inhibitors for leukemia treatment.

BCR-ABL JAK2 Leukemia

Fluorescent Pt(IV) & Fusogenic Liposomes

Synthesis of novel fluorescent cisplatin(IV) prodrug derivatives and their delivery by fusogenic liposomes as nanocarriers into cancer cells — bridging imaging and therapy.

Nanocarriers Fluorescent Probes Drug Delivery

Immunoproteasome Inhibitors

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of low-molecular weight inhibitors of the immunoproteasome for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Immunoproteasome Autoimmune Cancer

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Chemosensitization of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) by targeting DNA repair pathways, including homologous recombination (HDR) and the RAD51 mediator protein.

TNBC RAD51 HDR

AI-Guided Drug Discovery

Computational and machine learning approaches for in silico design and optimisation of selective kinase inhibitors and anticancer agents — including collaborations with MIT and BioSolveIT.

CADD Machine Learning In Silico

Anticancer Drugs Research Lab

The Anticancer Drugs Research Lab at Al-Quds University, led by Dr. Najajreh since 2006, focuses on rational design of novel anticancer agents — from platinum-based prodrugs and allosteric kinase inhibitors to AI-guided drug discovery and fusogenic nanocarrier delivery systems. The lab maintains active global collaborations across Europe, North America, and the Arab world.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University
Abu-Dies, Jerusalem, Palestine
Visit Lab Page
Academic Output

Publications & Patents

Author and co-author of more than 37 research articles, reviews, book chapters, and patents in prestigious international scientific journals.

PCT Patent2022 · Published 2025

Allosteric Inhibitor Compounds for Overcoming Cancer Resistance

Inventor: Yousef Najajreh · PCT/IB2022/060106 · US18/703,228
Publications: CA3235739A1 · EP4419105A4 · US20250228851A1

PCT Patent2021

RAD51 Binding Inhibitors and Methods of Use Thereof

Inventors: Yousef Najajreh and coworkers · PCT/CA2021/051906

Patent ApplicationFiled 2013 · Published 2015

Fatty Acid Derivatives for Treatment of Depression and Associated Conditions

Inventors: Elliot Berry, Yosefa Avraham, Joshua Katzhendler, Josef Mograbi, Yousef Najajreh, Lia Vorobeiv · Publication No. 20150202179

Granted PatentFiled 2014 · Patent No. 9428448

Compounds and Methods of Treating Obesity

Inventors: Jehoshua Katzhendler, Meir Saidian, Yousef Najajreh, Raphael Mevorach, Elliot Berry, Yosefa Avraham

PCT PatentWO/2009/109973 · App. No. 61033438

Compounds and Methods of Treating Obesity

Inventors: Yosefa Avraham, Elliot M. Berry, Jehoshua Katzhendler, Yousef Najajreh

PCT PatentPCT/IL01/00570

Positively-Charged Peptide Nucleic Acid Analogues with Improved Properties

Inventors: Jehoshua Katzhendler, Ada Schlossman, Yousef Najajreh, Dan Gibson

PCT PatentPTC/IL02/00687

Platinum Complexes and Their Use in Cancer Treatment

PCT PatentPTC/IL02/00985

Nanoparticles Containing Polymeric Nucleic Acid Homologs

Pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture containing same and methods of use thereof

Patent3-12-2007-1884

Isolated Orally Available Molecule for Regulating Weight and Food Consumption

Inventors: Yosefa Avraham, Elliot M. Berry, Joshua Katzhendler, Yousef Najajreh, Meir Sahidian, Raphael Mevorach

Patent5-2011

Novel Compounds for the Treatment of Depression

Inventors: Yosefa Avraham, Elliot Berry, Joshua Katzhendler, Yousef Najajreh, Lia Vorobeiv, Yossi Moograbi

Research Article 2026 (Accepted)

Molecular Insights into the Incorporation of Platinum-based Drugs into Lipid Aggregates

Rzepiela K, Najajreh Y, Buczek A, Strodel B, Fatafta H. Manuscript ID: ao-2025-11203p.

ACS Omega, 2026
Research Article 2023

Novel N-Acylethanolamide Derivatives Affect Body Weight and Energy Balance

Avraham Y, Berry EM, Merchavia S, Vorobiev L, Najajreh Y, et al. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202300212.

Chemistry & Biodiversity, 2023
Research Article 2020

CD5 Blockade Enhances ex vivo CD8+ T Cell Activation and Tumour Cell Cytotoxicity

Alotaibi F, Rytelewski M, Figueredo R, ..., Najajreh Y, ..., Koropatnick J. doi: 10.1002/eji.201948309.

European Journal of Immunology, 2020
Research Article 2016

Platinum(IV)-Fatty Acid Conjugates Overcome Cisplatin Resistant Cancer Cell Lines: an in Vitro Study

Ratzon E, Najajreh Y, Salem R, Khamaisie H, Ruthardt M, Mahajna J. doi: 10.1186/s12885-016-2182-8.

BMC Cancer, 2016
Research Article 2013

Novel Acylethanolamide Derivatives that Modulate Body Weight via POMC and NPY

Avraham Y, Katzhendler J, Vorobeiv L, ..., Najajreh Y. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2013, 56(5), pp 1811–1829.

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2013
Book Chapter 2022

Synthetic Approaches for Pharmacologically Active Decorated Six-Membered Diazines

Najajreh Y, Khoury MA. In: Strategies Towards the Synthesis of Heterocycles and Their Applications. IntechOpen, 2022. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.109103.

IntechOpen, 2022
Book Chapter 2019

Benzimidazoles: From Antiproliferative to Multitargeted Anticancer Agents

Najajreh Y. In: Chemistry and Applications of Benzimidazole and its Derivatives. IntechOpen, 2019. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.86249.

IntechOpen, 2019
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Education

Teaching & Mentorship

Committed to nurturing the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists and medicinal chemists through rigorous academic training.

Courses Taught

Medicinal Chemistry I, II & III

Undergraduate

Drug design, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacophore modeling for 3rd and 4th year pharmacy students.

Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry I & II

Undergraduate

Fundamentals of organic pharmaceutical chemistry for 2nd year pharmacy students.

Chemotherapeutics of Cancer

Undergraduate (5th Year)

Cancer pharmacotherapy, mechanisms of anticancer agents, and clinical applications for 5th year pharmacy students.

Modern Methods in Organic Synthesis

Graduate

Advanced synthetic methodologies for the Master's Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Environmental Toxicology & Drug Metabolism

Graduate

Toxicology for the Master's Program in Public Health; Drug Metabolism for the Faculty of Medicine Master's Program.

Graduate Supervision

1+
Joint Ph.D. Students
11+
M.Sc. Students
25+
Years Teaching

Selected Supervised Theses

Zeinab Breijyeh

Synthesis, in vitro and Biophysical Studies of Novel Fluorescent Platinum(IV) Prodrug Derivatives and their Delivery by Fusogenic Liposomes as Nano-carriers into Cancer Cells

Nidaa Ghrayeb

Development of Myristate Analogues as Allosteric Inhibitors of BCR-ABL for Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Shahd Qawasma

Identification of Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Claudia Alawi

Machine Learning Model for COVID-19 Drug Discovery

Maha Nasri Awwad-Khoury

Design and Synthesis of Pyrimidine-Based Allosteric Inhibitors of Bcr-Abl for Treatment of Leukemia

Recognition

Awards & Professional Activities

Achievements

🥇 Al-Masrouji Award – 1st Place (2021)

Higher Council for Innovation & Excellence – for the project "Rational Design of ABL/JAK2 Dual Inhibitors as Treatment for Leukemia"

Prize for Excellent Master's Dissertation (1993)

Faculty of Medicine Prize for Excellence – School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University

Prize for Excellent M.Sc. Student (1993)

School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Prize for Excellent Ph.D. Student (1998)

School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Professional Activities

Editorial Board Member (Since 2008)

Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery; Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery

Ad-hoc Peer Reviewer (Since 2012)

Reviewer for multiple peer-reviewed international scientific journals in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology

International Conference Speaker

Invited speaker at MIT (2020), World Science Forum (2017), EPFL (2015), Jülich Research Centre (2018), Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (2010), and many more

International Scientific Collaborations

Active collaborations with MIT, Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany), Cardiff University (UK), EPFL (Switzerland), University of Western Ontario (Canada), Sorbonne Université (France), and more

Research Impact

37+
Publications
10+
Patents Filed
25+
Years of Research
11+
M.Sc. Students Supervised
Career Journey

Professional Timeline

Over three decades of academic, research and leadership excellence.

1985 – 1987

B.Sc. Student

Faculty of Science, Bethlehem University

1988 – 1991

B.Sc. in Chemistry

Faculty of Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

1991 – 1993

Science Lecturer

El-A'roob Teacher College, Hebron

1991 – 1993

M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University

Thesis: Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity of Platinum-Anthraquinone Complexes

1993 – 1999

Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry

School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University – Jerusalem

Thesis: Methods in Site-Specific Labeling of ODNs with Platinum Anti-Cancer Drugs

Prize: Excellent Ph.D. Student 1998
1994 – 1998

Teaching Assistant

Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University

April 1999 – March 2000

Researcher

Dept. of Medicinal Chemistry, Hebrew University (with Prof. Joshua Katzhendler)

Developing New Antisense & Antigene Agents Based on Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs)

April 2000 – September 2004

Post-Doctorate Researcher

Dept. of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University & Bethlehem University

Gene Therapy and Pharmacogenic Delivery for Treatment of Restenosis

Aug 2002 – May 2004

Scientific Advisor

PHARMASENSE LTD, Naiot Technological Center, Nazareth-Ellit, Israel

September 2004 – September 2011

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Palestine

2006 – Present

Head, Anticancer Drugs Research Lab

Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University

Ongoing
Aug 2009 – Aug 2010

Scientific Advisor

Bioline RX

March 2010 – August 2011

Head of Projects Department

Planning & Development Office, Al-Quds University

September 2011 – Present

Associate Professor

Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Palestine

Current Position
August 2011 – August 2014

Dean of Scientific Research

Al-Quds University, Palestine

August 2014 – August 2017

Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy

Al-Quds University, Palestine

August 2017 – Present

Researcher & Educator

Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University — Full-time research and teaching

Current
International Presence

Global Engagement

July – September 2022

DAAD Visiting Professor

Germany — Influence of Surface Coordination on Magnetic Properties of Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs)

January – September 2019

Zamalah Fellowship – Visiting Professor

London Regional Cancer Program, University of Western Ontario, Canada (Prof. James Koropatnick) — Sensitizing TNBC Cells to Checkpoint Immunotherapy via Mismatch Repair Pathway

December 2018

Research Visit — Jülich Research Centre

Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany — Development of Nano-Fusogenic Liposomes for Delivery of Fluorescently Labeled-Pt(IV) Complexes

July – August 2017

Daniel Turnberg Travel Fellowship

Academy of Medical Sciences, UK — Prof. Simon Reed, Cardiff Institute of Cancer & Genetics, Cardiff University, Wales

July – September 2016

DAAD Visiting Professor

Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Arndt, Institut für Organische Chemie, Jena, Germany — Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Anticancer Parthenolide Prodrugs

June – August 2015

Zamalah Scholar – EPFL

Laboratory of Organometallic & Medicinal Chemistry (LCOM), Prof. Paul J. Dyson, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland — Design and Synthesis of Platinum(IV) Prodrugs

July – August 2011

Visiting Professor — Ontario, Canada

Cancer Research Laboratory Program, London Regional Cancer Program, University of Western Ontario — Biological Assessment of Lipophilic Platinum(IV) Derivatives

July – September 2007

DAAD Visiting Researcher

Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Physiologie, Dortmund, Germany (Dr. H.D. Arndt) — Antiplasmodial Thiostrepton Derivatives as Proteasome Inhibitors

Get in Touch

Contact & Academic Outreach

Interested in collaboration, research opportunities, or academic inquiries? Feel free to reach out.

Contact Information

Office Location

Faculty of Pharmacy
Al-Quds University
Abu-Dies, P.O.Box 20002
Jerusalem, Palestine

Phone / Fax

Telfax: +970-2-2790413
Mobile: +970-(0)-598842834

Lab

Anticancer Drugs Research Lab
Faculty of Pharmacy Building

Academic Profiles

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