Praveen Kumar Pogula

• Identify new strategies or technologies for pursuing novel targeting, novel oligo designs, oligo synthesis, and/or conjugation of guide RNA editing modalities, including ligand-mediated and LNP delivery.
• Interact broadly and collaboratively with internal multidisciplinary teams (including target biology, data science, computational chemistry, structural biology, biochemistry, high throughput in vitro screening and in vivo teams), forging relationships and active collaborations.
• Coordinated with multiple CROs, academic institutes, and other external consultants to successfully complete projects within established timelines and budgets.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase oligo chemistry workflow effectiveness and efficiency.
• Oversaw oligo process and technical issues related to production processes.
• Analyzed data collected from various sources in order to identify trends or areas requiring further investigation or action.
• Supervise and manage Korro's chemistry (include: drive innovation, oligo synthesis, delivery, analytical, formulation), providing vision, inspiration, and both short-term and long-term goals.
• Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
• Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
• Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
• Assisted senior leadership team in developing long-term strategic plans for the organization.
• Set priorities and ensure progression for the technology and pipeline projects.
• Major contributor in filing an IND application for A1AT.

• Managed internal and external chemistry teams and CROs.
• Developed chemically modified mRNA synthesis including novel 5’-cap nucleotide analogs, nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) and modified polyA tails.
• Developed innovative mRNA LNP formulations include numerous ionizable cationic lipids and investigated neutral to negatively charged helper lipids.

siRNA platforms

• Developed oligo drug delivery systems targeting multiple diseases, including hepatic, oncology, CNS, and lung.
• Innovated biocompatible nucleoside, non-nucleoside linkers and ligand conjugates (carbohydrates, lipids, and antibody).
• Major contributor in filing an IND application for SARS-CoV-2.

Lipid Nanoparticles

• Designed novel, biodegradable, ionizable, and cationic lipids and biopolymers. Extensive experience in preparing active or passive targeting LNPs using microfluidic techniques or thin lipid films. Conducted physicochemical characterization of LNPs (size, ZP, and PDI), nucleic acid loading efficiency measurement (Ribo-green assay), and nucleic acid analysis via Bio-analyzer.

RNA Biology

• Expertise in siRNA screening assays, including handling various animal cell lines and culturing primary mouse hepatocytes. Conducted transfection and transfection-free assays, RNA isolation, extraction, and quantification from cell cultures, RT-qPCR assays, and DNA plasmid expression in cell cultures. Proficient in luciferase assays (microplate reader), oligonucleotide nuclease stability, and degradation studies in human serum (PAGE).
• Collaborated with biology teams for candidate potency and durability evaluation, PK, and GLP toxicology studies.

Chemistry Operations

• Established an oligonucleotide laboratory from scratch for small (1 µmol) and medium productions (50 µmol). Expert in oligonucleotide process development using Mermade synthesizers (MM192, MM192x, MM12) and Dr. Oligo 42, with familiarity in OP100.
• Developed post-processing methodologies for novel chemically modified oligonucleotides and ligand conjugates. Strong expertise in oligonucleotide purification technologies including RPC-IP, AE, SAX (UPLCs, prep & semi-prep HPLCs, Akta purifiers), and transferred purification technologies to non-GMP scales. Skilled in TFF, lyophilization, and characterizations using various mass spectrometry methods. Designed and developed specific solid supports, optimizing them to increase crude product yields and purity levels.
• Proficient in impurity analysis in oligonucleotide substances and products, and developed novel nucleotide-based chemical modifications to enhance stability, potency, and targeted delivery for multiple indications.
• Reviewed CMC documentation. Managed collaborations with academic scientists and consultants.
• Developed oligonucleotide laboratory management tools for design, registry, inventory, and formulations.

Supervised team of internal and overseas chemistry teams. Managed collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, both internal and external.

• Designed and synthesized modified nucleoside prodrugs for HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs). Developed combination therapies, including antimetabolites.
• Developed novel nucleotide analogs, lead candidates are highly effective against protozoan parasite (Giardia Lamblia) causing Giardiasis.
• Developed an analytical process for CDD's proprietary nucleotide triphosphate prodrug (SP1015), showing high potency against small intestinal tumors and lung cancers.
• Developed Gemcitabine prodrugs to improve PK properties.
• Designed, synthesized, and conducted antibacterial screening studies on bicyclic beta-lactamase inhibitors.
• Conducted NMR studies and investigated the mechanism for the cyanide antidote, Sulfanegen Sodium.

• Designed, synthesized, and evaluated the biological efficacy of folate receptor-targeted delivery systems using “core-modified porphyrin-combretastatin (A-4) prodrugs” against FR-positive tumors. Photodynamic therapy-mediated site-specific drug release.
• The prodrug system contains four components, including a photosensitizer, a light cleavable linker, a cytotoxic payload, and folic acid.
• Conducted drug release kinetics studies by NMR.

• Synthesized pharmaceutically active ingredients and drug intermediates including lipid derivatives and short peptides.