Title:   Biomaterials and Chemical Biology Approaches for Solving Unmet Clinical Needs

Speaker: Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula
Faculty In Stem,
Bangalore.

 About the Speaker: Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (in-Stem), Bangalore. He has completed Masters in Chemistry from Osmania University, and obtained PhD from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. His expertise is developing chemical technologies for medical applications. His work spans the fields of biomaterials, drug discovery, drug delivery, medical devices, and chemical biology. He has published >85 peer-reviewed papers, has given >200 national and international invited lectures including two TEDx talks, and has >30 issued or pending national/international patents, which have been licensed to multiple biotech companies. Several technologies developed in his lab have formed the foundation for multiple products on the market, and currently under development. His technologies have led to the launch of seven startup companies. Thus far, >20 products that are developed based on his technologies are in the market worldwide.

Abstract: Our lab is focusing on clinical translational research through biomaterials and chemical biology programs. By using chemical design tools, we have been developing therapeutic and prophylactic biomaterials for medical applications. For example, in this talk two specific examples will be discussed in detail. In one example, we will discuss development of potential drugs for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases using biomimicry-based drug discovery. In another example, we will discuss developing a novel blood bag technology to enhance the quality and shelf-life of stored blood that will have enormous clinical implication. Overall, we will see a snapshot of various technologies that could be developed in the lab and translated into the clinic/market.