Manish Hudlikar

About Manish Hudlikar

Strategic Drug Discovery Leader | ADC Expert | Bench-to-Clinic Specialist:ADC drug discovery scientist dedicated to tackling problems through innovative synthetic organic and bio-conjugation chemistry. My career is defined by translating complex science into clinical assets—most notably the discovery and development of AGX-101, a first-in-class TM4SF1-directed ADC currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for solid tumors Focus at Merck Research Laboratories, SSFLeading the design of next-generation ADCs and bio-conjugates across Oncology, Immunology, and Rare Diseases. I specialized in the early-to-late-stage development of conjugates featuring novel payloads that includes small molecule Inhibitors & cytotoxins, protein degraders (PROTACs), and anti-sense Oligonucleotides (ASOs).Key Achievements:Inventor on 10 US Patents and author of 12 high-impact publications (JACS, Chem. Eur. J, Cell Chem. Bio).Platform Scale-up: Expert in translating new bio-conjugation methods from small-scale discovery to large-scale GLP/DLT study batches.Pioneering Research: Developed the first PROTACs to selectively degrade Histone Acetyltransferases (HATs) during my tenure at Harvard University. I am passionate about bridging the gap between innovative chemistry and life-saving medicine.

Experience

1. Associate Principal Scientist, Discovery Chemistry

   Merck

   Jun 2024 — Present · South San Francisco, CA, US

   a) Spearheading the discovery and development of next-generation ADCs for Oncology, Cardiovascular, and Rare Disease indications.Engineering novel bio-conjugates incorporating diverse payloads: cytotoxins, protein degraders (PROTACs), and ASOs.b) Driving the translation of new conjugation methodologies from initial discovery through to GLP/DLT study batch production.c) Collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams to advance a robust pipeline of therapeutic candidates.

Education

• Savitribai Phule Pune University

  Bachelors of Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology

  2005 — 2008

• The University of Georgia

  Ph.D in Organic chemistry, Chemistry

• Harvard University

  Postdoctoral Research Fellow , Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• Savitribai Phule Pune University

  Masters degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry,Biochemistry

  2008 — 2010

Skills

• Nanomaterials
• Spectroscopy
• Nanofabrication
• Chemistry
• Tem
• Organic Synthesis
• Drug Delivery
• Uv/Vis Spectroscopy
• Uv/Vis
• Polymer Chemistry
• Cell Culture
• Molecular Biology
• Hplc
• Nmr Spectroscopy
• Bioconjugate Chemistry
• Nmr
• Animal Models
• Mass Spectrometry
• Biochemistry
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (Nmr)
• Nanoparticles
• Nanotechnology
• Sds-Page
• Research