ANANIYA DEMESSIE
Scientist
Sunnyvale,CA
Summary
Accomplished Scientist with over 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical science research and process development, including 2 years at ReCode Therapeutics. Expertise in parenteral drug delivery technologies, including the development and scale-up of LNP-based drug products for Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and cystic fibrosis (CF), advancing candidates into clinical trials. Proven track record in applying Critical Quality Attribute (CQA) studies, optimizing manufacturing processes, and managing cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, scalable solutions for complex drug formulations.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Scientist - Formulation, Advanced Characterization, and Process Optimization
ReCode Therapeutics
09.2022 - Current
- Lead formulation development and optimization of LNP-based drug products, focusing on enhancing stability, encapsulation efficiency, and potency, critical for advancement of CF lead candidates into clinical trials.
- Spearheaded process optimization initiatives, ensuring scalability for clinical production through investigation of critical quality attributes (CQAs).
- Applied advanced characterization techniques, including SEC/AF4-MALS-UV-dRI, to analyze and optimize drug delivery systems, providing vital data for API form selection and lead LNP candidate development.
- Collaborated across multidisciplinary teams to support transition of drug candidates from research to clinical stages, ensuring adherence to regulatory and quality standards.
Graduate Researcher, Nanomedicine
Oregon State University/Oregon Health and Science University
09.2018 - 08.2022
- Developed iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) for magnetic hyperthermia and imaging, optimizing their formulation for injectable use in systemic and targeted therapies.
- Conducted pre-formulation studies, including nanoparticle characterization using advanced analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscope (TEM), ensuring alignment of product attributes with therapeutic goals.
- Managed in vivo studies involving administration of nanoparticles and applied magnetic hyperthermia, contributing to advancement of novel therapeutic approaches in oncology.
Research Assistant, Medicinal Chemistry
Oregon State University
09.2015 - 07.2018
- Identified biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for producing pseudo-oligosaccharides in soil bacteria, and constructed plasmids using competent cell preparation, cloning, plasmid library creation, and primer design
- Engineered DNA constructs and conducted gene knockout experiments to produce bioactive analogs with potential therapeutic applications.
- Purified and structurally elucidated novel drug analogs, employing HPLC, MS, and NMR techniques to support drug discovery efforts.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Pharmaceutical Sciences (Nanomedicine)
Oregon Health And Science University
Portland, ORMaster of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicinal Chemistry)
Oregon State University
Corvallis, ORBachelor of Science - Biotechnology And Toxicology
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 05.2001 -
Skills
Formulation & Process Development
Parenteral Drug Delivery
Advanced Characterization Techniques (HPLC, SEC/AF4-MALS, UV, dRI, SLS, DLS, TEM)
Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) and Process Optimization
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Clinical Trial Support and Scale-Up
Scientific Writing
Research design
Data Collection
Accomplishments
- $15,000 Tech Commercialization Potential Award
- Honorary Citizen of Corvallis, Oregon
- Global Beaver Award
Select Invention
Synthesis and Composition of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with High Heating Efficiency and Thereof Use, US Patent App. 18/186,606, 2023, Ananiya Demessie
Select Publications
- An advanced thermal decomposition method to produce magnetic nanoparticles with ultrahigh heating efficiency for systemic magnetic hyperthermia, Demessie, A. A., Park, Y., Singh, P., Moses, A. S., Korzun, T., Sabei, F. Y., ... & Taratula, O., Small Methods, 6, 12, 2200916, 2022
- Systemically delivered magnetic hyperthermia for prostate cancer treatment, Albarqi, H. A., Demessie, A. A., Sabei, F. Y., Moses, A. S., Hansen, M. N., Dhagat, P., ... & Taratula, O., Pharmaceutics, 12, 11, 1020, 2020
- Nanomedicines for endometriosis: lessons learned from cancer research, Moses, A. S., Demessie, A. A., Taratula, O., Korzun, T., Slayden, O. D., & Taratula, O., Small, 17, 7, 2004975, 2021
- Targeted nanoparticles with high heating efficiency for the treatment of endometriosis with systemically delivered magnetic hyperthermia, Park, Y., Demessie, A. A., Luo, A., Taratula, O. R., Moses, A. S., Do, P., ... & Taratula, O., Small, 18, 24, 2107808, 2022
- Biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of pseudooligosaccharides, Alanzi, A. R., Demessie, A. A., & Mahmud, T., Emerging topics in life sciences, 2, 3, 405-417, 2018
- Nanoparticle-Based Follistatin Messenger RNA Therapy for Reprogramming Metastatic Ovarian Cancer and Ameliorating Cancer-Associated Cachexia, Korzun, T., Moses, A. S., Kim, J., Patel, S., Schumann, C., Levasseur, P. R., ... & Taratula, O., Small, 18, 44, 2204436, 2022
Select Activities
- Journal Reviewer- American Chemical Society (ACS) Omega
- Journal Reviewer- Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
Timeline
Scientist - Formulation, Advanced Characterization, and Process Optimization
ReCode Therapeutics
09.2022 - Current
Graduate Researcher, Nanomedicine
Oregon State University/Oregon Health and Science University
09.2018 - 08.2022
Research Assistant, Medicinal Chemistry
Oregon State University
09.2015 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Science - Biotechnology And Toxicology
Oregon State University
05.2001 -
Doctor of Philosophy - Pharmaceutical Sciences (Nanomedicine)
Oregon Health And Science University
Master of Science - Pharmaceutical Sciences (Medicinal Chemistry)
Oregon State University
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