Abhay Kulkarni

About Abhay Kulkarni

A passionate, results-driven drug discovery scientist with over two decades of well rounded industrial experience specializing in - in vivo / ex vivo pharmacology, PK/PD integration, and translational studies that enable early drug development. Trained as a pharmacist/ pharmacologist, with deep understanding of disease biology in broad therapeutic areas such as inflammation, immuno-oncology, targeted oncology and metabolic disorders.Across a career in leading Indian pharma organizations, contributed to the discovery and advancement of multiple clinical candidates, including four first-in-class or fast-follow programs and one approved specialty product (Ryaltris®, for allergic rhinitis). Experience includes leading cross-functional teams, building and validating translationally relevant disease models, due diligence activities with potential partners to ensure positive outcome and partnering with global stakeholders to progress assets from discovery into Phase 1 clinical trials.Currently focused on advancing oligonucleotide-based therapeutic platforms for targeted drug delivery and precision medicine applications.Key Achievements:20+ years of drug discovery research experience in Ranbaxy, Zydus Lifesciences, Eurofins Advinus, Glenmark/Ichnos/IGI and Creyon Bio.Co-inventor of four clinical candidates (which went up to Phase 2 clinical trials) and one approved specialty product Ryaltris®, with multiple U.S. patents demonstrating sustained innovation in drug development.Delivered more than 50 novel discovery programs in inflammation, pain and oncology, spanning target ideation to clinical candidate selection.Proven track record of building and leading high-performing scientific teams and consistently delivering preclinical lead candidates with emphasis on cost, quality and time.17 peer-reviewed publications and > 50 posters/abstracts published in international conferences of highest standards like ATS, ERS, WPC, DoT etc

Experience

1. Director, Preclinical Pharmacology

   Creyon Bio

   Jun 2025 — Present · Bengaluru, IN

Education

• Jiwaji University

  PhD, Pharmacology (Faculty of Medicine)

  2000 — 2004

• Savitribai Phule Pune University

  B Pharm, Pharma sciences

  1994 — 1998

• Bharati Vidyapeeth

  M.Pharm (Pharmacology)

  1998 — 2000

Skills

• Clinical Development
• Inflammation
• Drug Discovery
• Cmc
• Cell
• In Vivo
• In Vitro
• V&V
• Pain Management
• Antibodies
• Kinases
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Graphpad Prism
• Pharmacokinetics