Profile
Professor Kwasi Adomako Ohemeng is an internationally recognized Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and accomplished pharmaceutical scientist with a distinguished career spanning academia, pharmaceutical industry leadership, and drug discovery. He has authored more than 85 scientific publications and is listed as inventor or co-inventor on over 50 patents in medicinal chemistry and drug development.
He played a key role in the discovery and development of three new drugs at Immtech International and Paratek Pharmaceuticals, including Omadacycline and Sarecycline, both FDA-approved and currently used clinically in the United States for the treatment of infectious diseases. He has served as a reviewer for leading peer-reviewed journals such as Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, and the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of Emerging Drugs and serves as President of Equatorial Healthscience.
Professor Ohemeng has held major leadership positions including Dean (2017–2018) and Acting Dean (2015–2016) of the School of Pharmacy, Central University, and Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. His extensive industry experience includes roles as Executive Director at Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Group Leader in Anti-infective Research at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and multiple senior scientific positions at Johnson & Johnson.
He is a recipient of several honors, including the 2019 Hero of Chemistry Award (San Diego, California), Fellow of the Ghana College of Pharmacists (2019), the Wellcome Fellowship (1984–1987), and the Duquesne University Faculty Development Fellowship (1982–1984).
Basic information:
Name: Professor Kwasi Adomako Ohemeng
Designation: Professor (Medicinal Chemistry)
Department: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Institutional mail: kohemeng@central.edu.gh
Office location: Room 202 Gadzekpo Block
Academic Qualification:
- PhD, Medicinal Chemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1980-1984)
- B.Pharm., Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi- Ghana (1974-1978)
Research Interest:
- Drug Design, Discovery and Development, synthesis and testing of biologically active compounds
- Chemical Synthesis, Drug
Publications
- Doe, P., Danquah, C. A., Ohemeng, K. A., Buabeng, K. O., Kasukose, M. A., Dukely, M. A., … & Ofori, M. (2025). Evaluation of the Knowledge, and Attitude of NonHealthcare Students in Central University Ghana on Antibiotic Resistanc. Archives of Pharmacy Practice¦ Volume, 16(3).
- Osei-Asare, C., Oppong, E. E., Apenteng, J. A., Adi-Dako, O., Kumadoh, D., Akosua, A. A., & Ohemeng, K. A. (2020). Managing Vibrio cholerae with a local beverage: preparation of an affordable ethanol based hand sanitizer. Heliyon, 6(1).
- Ohemeng, K. A., Doe, P., Pappoe, M. A., Gordor, D. T., Adubea, Y., Amaglo, S. M., & Prempeh, J. M. (2020). Evaluation of the anxiolytic effects of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves and bark of Annona muricata using the elevated plus maze test. J. Phytopharm, 9, 329-332.
- Doe, P., Danquah, C. A., Ossei, P. P. S., Ohemeng, K. A., Ofori, M., Ativui, S., & Jibira, Y. (2022). Anti-arthritic activity of solvent extracts of the bulbs of Crinum pedunculatum R. Br. Pharmaceutical Sciences Asia, 49(6).
- Osei-Asare, C; Eshun-Oppong, E; Appenteng, J.A.; Adi-Darko, O.; Ansah-Acheampong, A.; Ohemeng, K.A.; Preparation and Effectiveness of an affordable Ethanol-Based Sanitizer from Local Gin (Akpeteshie) Against Vibrio Cholera.e Book of Abstracts page 47. Annual General Meeting, Ghana Pharmaceutical Society, Kumasi, Ghana 2017
- Honeyman, L., Ismail, M., Nelson, M., Bhatia, B., Bowser, T., Chen, J., Mechiche, R., Ohemeng, K., Verma, A., Cannon, P., Macone, A.,Tanaka, K., Levy, S. “ Structure-Activity Relationship of the Aminomethylcyclines and the Discovery of Omadacycline” Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 2015, 59, 7044.
- Bakunova, Svetlana M, Bakunov Stanislav,, Patrick A Donald, Kumar E.V.K.Suresh, Ohemeng, A. Kwasi, Bridges S.Arlenes, Wenzler, Barszcz, Todd, Kilgore, Susan, Karl A Jones. Werbovetz§, and Richard R. Tidwell, R, Richard “ Structure−Activity Study of Pentamidine Analogues as Antiprotozoal Agents” J. Med. Chem., 2009, 52 (7), 2016–2035
- Ohemeng, K.; Frechette, R.; Frosco, M.B.; Klaubert, D.H.; Whiteley, J.M.; Wang, L.; and Hoch, J.A. “Antibacterial agents that inhibit two-component signal transduction systems,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 1998,95, 5317
Selected Patents
- Ohemeng, K. A., Doe, P. M., Armah, S. N. B., Oteng-Boahen, K., Opare, V. N., & Lartey, P. A. (2026). Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or preventing bacterial infections in humans and in animals. Google Patents. World Intellectual Property Organization WO2026/005977 A1
- Ohemeng, K. A., Doe, P. M., Armah, S. N. B., Oteng-Boahen, K., Opare, V. N., & Lartey, P. A. (2025). Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating or preventing bacterial infections in humans and in animals. Google Patents. United States Patent Application Publication. US 2025/0000925 A1
- Ohemeng, K.A.; Nguyen, V.N “2-Substituted phenyl-benzimidazole antibacterial agents”. WO98-US18586 980904. Priority: US 97-924558 970905. AN 1999:184240
- Ohemeng; Kwasiet.al “Substituted benzoimidazole compounds useful as anti-infectives that decrease resistance, virulence, or growth of microbes and methods of making and using substituted benzoimidazole compounds, as well as pharmaceutical preparations thereof” . USP 7405235 (2008)
- Ohemeng; Kwasi et.al, “Aminomethyl substituted tetracycline compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use thereof” USP 7326,696 (2006)”
- Nelson; Mark L.and Ohemeng; Kwasi, “4-dedimethylamino tetracycline compounds”. USP 7056902 (2006)
- Levy Staurt,and Ohemeng; Kwasi,“Transcription factor modulating compounds and methods of use thereof AU2008203017 (2008)
- Nelson; Mark L.and Ohemeng; “Amino-methyl substituted tetracycline compounds” US2009131401 (2009)
Awards:
- Fellow, Ghana College of Pharmacists (June 2019)
- Hero of Chemistry, American Chemical Society, San Diego, CA (August 2019)
- Wellcome Fellow (1984–1987)
- Duquesne University Faculty Development Fellowship (1982–1984)
Professional Membership:
- Chairman, Pharmaceutical Skill Sector Board, CTVET, Ghana (PSSB-CTVET)
- Member, Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH)
- Member, Academic Research and Social Pharmacist Association (ARSPA)
- American Chemical Society (Divisions of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry)
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
Courses Taught:
- Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry II (Theory and practical) (Level 200) (UG)
- Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry (Theory and practical) (Level 300) (UG)
- Medicinal Chemistry I (Theory and practical) (Level 100) (UG)
- Medicinal Chemistry II (Level 400) (UG)
Awards/Honours:
- Hero of Chemistry Society, San Diego, California (August 2019)
- Fellow, Ghana College of Pharmacists (June 2019)
- Wellcome Fellow (1984-1987)
- Duquesne University Faculty Development Fellowship (1982–1984)
Outreach and Engagement:
- Members, Ghana Pharmacy Council Disciplinary Committee (2015 to date)
- Members, Ghana Pharmacy Council Pharmacy Technician Committee (2017 to date)
- Members, Ghana Pharmacy Council Oral Examination Committee (2015 to date)
- Head Faculty of Drug Production, Ghana College of Pharmacy (2019 – date)
- President and Chief Executive Officer, Equatorial Healthcare Services, (2007 – date)
Additional Roles:
- Formal Dean – School of Pharmacy (2018 – 2023)
- Member, CU Strategic plan implementation Committee (2015 to 2023)
- Member, CU Strategic plan monitoring team (2015 to 2023)
- Acting Dean: School of Pharmacy, Central University, Miotso, Ghana (2017 – 2018)
- Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Central University, Miotso, Ghana (2015 – 2016)