Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Techniques Expertise
Posters Presented
Oral Presentations
Awards
Publications
Training
Disclaimer
Personal Information
Timeline
Kumaran Dandapani

Kumaran Dandapani

Director, In Vivo Pharmacology
Secunderabad

Summary

Experienced preclinical drug discovery scientist with

15.7 years of R&D expertise In the pharmaceutical industry, currently serving asDirector at Aragen Life Sciences. Accrued strong domain knowledge in

Preclinical drug developmentwith Comprehensive exposure to multiple therapeutic areas Including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, behavioral neuroscience, neurodegeneration, pain and inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and other autoimmune diseases. Leadership and Regulatory Experience: - Serving as IAEC Chairman since 2023, overseeing ethical guidelines and regulatory compliance for preclinical studies - Successfully led teams through an AAALAC Site Visit, ensuring alignment with international standards for animal welfare and research ethics Research contributions include: - Investigated the role of cholinergic mechanisms and ACE inhibitors in hypoxic/ischemic conditions - Evaluated kinase inhibitors and ion channel blockers in models of neuropathic and chronic inflammatory pain - Explored the potential of novel ROS modulators in fibrotic disorders Proficient in pharmacology and translational biology, with experience in assay development, mechanism-of-action studies, and target validation. Adept at leading cross-functional teams in dynamic research settings.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
1999
1999
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Director

Aragen Life Sciences
06.2023 - Current
  • Project leader responsible for planning, Lead Project Planning & Execution: Act as project lead for the design, planning, and successful execution of in vivo studies to assess the pharmacological efficacy of novel chemical and biological entities (NCEs/NBEs)
  • Scientific Oversight & Troubleshooting: Provide strategic scientific direction to team members while proactively troubleshooting experimental and technical challenges to ensure timely and high-quality project delivery
  • Client Communication: Maintain consistent and transparent communication with clients through email updates and teleconferences, ensuring alignment on project timelines and expectations
  • Cross-functional Collaboration & Data Presentation: Regularly present screening outcomes and efficacy data in cross-disciplinary project review meetings, contributing to decision-making and strategy formulation
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation: Play a key role in statistical evaluation, interpretation of in vivo pharmacology data, and clear communication of results and insights to senior leadership and clients
  • Therapeutic Research Leadership: Drive research initiatives in areas such as pain, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, fibrosis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
  • Multi-project Support Across Therapeutic Areas: Provide scientific support across multiple preclinical projects, with a primary focus on fibrosis, immunology, and pain research
  • Team Management & Mentorship: Train, mentor, and supervise direct reports, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaborative growth
  • Animal Model Development & Validation: Oversee the establishment, validation, and refinement of disease models, including arthritis, liver fibrosis, and NASH, in line with industry standards
  • Protocol & Report Development: Lead the drafting, review, and finalization of study protocols and comprehensive reports for internal and external stakeholders

Associte Director

Aragen Life Sciences
04.2022 - 06.2023

Principal Scientific Manager

GVK Biosciences
11.2016 - 04.2020

Research Scientist

Glenmark Pharmaceutical Limited
06.2014 - 11.2016

Senior Research Investigator

Biocon Bristol Myer Squibb R&D Centre
09.2009 - 06.2014

Education

B. Pharm -

K M C H College of Pharmacy
GPA: 63.9 %

M. Pharm - Pharmacology

J.S.S College of Pharmacy
GPA: 73.5 %

Ph. D - Neuropsychopharmacology

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research

Skills

Techniques Expertise

  • Animal Models of Diseases
  • Surgical Models
  • Pain Models and End point Assays
  • Clinical Translational pain Models
  • Dementia Models
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis Models
  • Dermal Inflammation Models
  • Fibrosis Models
  • Hyperglycemia (Diabetes) Models
  • Behavioral studies
  • Stereotaxic Surgery
  • Neurochemistry
  • Isolated tissue preparations
  • Molecular Biology
  • Histological methods

Posters Presented

  • Synthesis and biological studies of 4-N-mehtyl substituted coumarins, 51st Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, Kumaran D, Arun Kumar and Rohini, Indore, India, 12/99
  • Evaluation of adrenergic blockers on learning and memory in hypertensive and normotensive animals, 53rd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, Kumaran D, Srinivasan J, Suresh B, Ramanathan M., New Delhi, 12/22/01
  • Bcl-2, BAX and TNF-α expression in transient global cerebral ischemic BALB/c mice at different time intervals, International Conference on Chemistry Biology Interface: Synergistic New Frontiers, Kumaran. D, Unnikrishnan Nair, Udayabanu M, Ramesh Chandra and Anju Katyal, Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, 10/21-26/04
  • Capsaicin-induced Secondary Mechanical Hypersensitivity: Pharmacological Validation of a Translational Pain Model, 46th Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society IPSCON, Bangalore, 13
  • Place Escape/Avoidance Paradigm (PEAP): A Novel Model to Evaluate the Emotional/Affective Component of Neuropathic Pain in Rats, 46th Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society IPSCON, Bangalore, 13

Oral Presentations

Evaluation of neuroprotective role of withania somnifera in global cerebral ischemia induced cholinergic hypopfunction and retrograde memory impairment, 6th Annual Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Research, 11/30-12/02/06, Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi

Awards

  • R & D Star Award, 10, Biocon Bristol-Myers Squibb R & D Center, In appreciation of the Scientific Excellence & Team Effectiveness in Building ‘Pain Program Capabilities’
  • R & D Star Award, 11, Biocon Bristol-Myers Squibb R & D Center, In appreciation of the Scientific Excellence ‘Pain Program Capabilities’
  • Triumph Award, 12, Bristol Myer Squibb, For strong background on scientific knowledge, efficient management of programs/projects and associates
  • Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), 05-09, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-29, India

Publications

  • Discovery and Optimization of Biaryl Alkyl Ethers as a Novel Class of Highly Selective, CNS-Penetrable, and Orally Active Adaptor Protein-2-Associated Kinase 1 (AAK1) Inhibitors for the Potential Treatment of Neuropathic Pain, J Med Chem, 03/24/22, 65, 6, 4534-4564
  • Discovery of (S)-1-((2',6-Bis(difluoromethyl)-[2,4'-bipyridin]-5-yl)oxy)-2,4-dimethylpentan-2-amine (BMS-986176/LX-9211): A Highly Selective, CNS Penetrable, and Orally Active Adaptor Protein-2 Associated Kinase 1 Inhibitor in Clinical Trials for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain, J Med Chem, 03/24/22, 65, 6, 4457-4480
  • Discovery, Structure-Activity Relationships, and In Vivo Evaluation of Novel Aryl Amides as Brain Penetrant Adaptor Protein 2-Associated Kinase 1 (AAK1) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain, J Med Chem, 08/12/21, 64, 15, 11090-11128
  • [3H]BMT-046091 a potent and selective radioligand to determine AAK1 distribution and target engagement, Neuropharmacology, 2017, 118, 167-174
  • Inhibition of AAK1 Kinase as a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Treat Neuropathic Pain, J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 2016, 358, 3, 371-86
  • Effect of Ca2EDTA on zinc mediated inflammation and neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus of an in vivo mouse model of hypobaric hypoxia, PLoS One, 10/23/14, 9, 10, e110253
  • Behavioural dysfunction and delayed neuronal death associated with cholinergic hypofunction during global cerebral ischemia and the effect of rivastigmine, galantamine and choline, International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 2012, 30, 8, 670
  • Free chelatable zinc modulates the cholinergic function during hypobaric hypoxia-induced neuronal damage: an in vivo study, Neuroscience, 2012, 202, 434 - 445
  • Benzamide protects delayed neuronal death and behavioural impairment in a mouse model of global cerebral ischemia, Behav Brain Res, 2008, 192, 2, 178-84
  • Involvement of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Cerebral Hypoperfusion Induced Anterograde Memory Impairment and Cholinergic Dysfunction in Rats, Neuroscience, 2008, 155, 3, 638-651
  • Nitric oxide associated with iNOS expression inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity and induces memory impairment during acute hypobaric hypoxia, Brain Research, 2008, 1230C, 138-149
  • Effect of losartan and enalapril on cognitive deficit caused by Goldblatt induced hypertension, Indian J Exp Biol, 2005, 43, 3, 241

Training

  • 50th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress & 17th FAPA seminar, Mumbai, 98
  • Pharmaceutical science seminar on Challenges and opportunities in next millennium, KMCH, Coimbatore, 99
  • 53rd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, New Delhi, 01
  • 54th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, Pune, 02
  • International Conference on Chemistry Biology Interface: Synergistic New Frontiers, Dr B.R Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi, 04
  • 6th Annual Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Research, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi, 06
  • XLIV Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacological Society IPSCON 2011, Manipal University, Manipal, 11
  • International Conference 27th Annual National Conference of Indian Society for the Study of Pain, Bangalore, 12

Disclaimer

I hereby declare that the above-furnished details are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Personal Information

  • Father's Name: Prof. M. Dhandapani M.Sc., M. Phil.
  • Date of Birth: 04/11/78
  • Gender: Male
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Marital Status: Married

Timeline

Director - Aragen Life Sciences
06.2023 - Current
Associte Director - Aragen Life Sciences
04.2022 - 06.2023
Principal Scientific Manager - GVK Biosciences
11.2016 - 04.2020
Research Scientist - Glenmark Pharmaceutical Limited
06.2014 - 11.2016
Senior Research Investigator - Biocon Bristol Myer Squibb R&D Centre
09.2009 - 06.2014
J.S.S College of Pharmacy - M. Pharm, Pharmacology
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research - Ph. D, Neuropsychopharmacology
K M C H College of Pharmacy - B. Pharm,

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Kumaran DandapaniDirector, In Vivo Pharmacology