Open to opportunities

Rakesh Nagilla

@rakeshnagilla

Message

I’m a DMPK scientist and leader helping teams translate hit-to-lead strategies into human dose-ready programs.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a DMPK leadership role where I can drive in vivo/in vitro study design, CRO partnerships, and human dose prediction—partnering across chemistry, biology, safety, and regulatory to translate discovery work into clinical-ready programs.

I’m a DMPK scientist and leader with 20+ years of experience in the discovery and development of small and bi-functional molecules, including protein degraders and antibody recruiting molecules. I focus on cardiovascular, immunology, rare disease, immuno-oncology, and oncology therapeutic areas.

In my current role as Senior Director, DMPK at SK life science labs (formerly Proteovant Therapeutics), I manage DMPK activities and serve as the DMPK program representative for protein degradation programs. I ensure alignment of hit to lead and lead optimization strategies, coordinate in vivo and in vitro DMPK and biology studies with CROs, and maintain DMPK budgets.

Previously, at GlaxoSmithKline, I held leadership roles including Director and Director, FPD DMPK, where I directed DMPK programs across multiple discovery efforts. I performed PK/PD analysis for compound progression, delivered human dose prediction to enable FTIH studies, and partnered closely with medicinal chemistry, biology, safety/toxicology, regulatory affairs, and clinical pharmacology in a team setting.

I also bring operational and governance leadership: I chair the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), oversee performance management for BS/MS/PhD-level scientists, and strengthen efficiency through DMPK-wide initiatives. I’m energized by turning high-quality experimental design, data review, and modeling into clear, decision-ready recommendations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Director, DMPK

SK Life Science Labs

Nov 2021 - Oct 2024 (2 years 11 months)

Managed DMPK activities and served as DMPK program representative for protein degradation programs. Designed and coordinated in vivo/in vitro DMPK and biology studies with CROs, supported hit-to-lead alignment, maintained DMPK budgets, and performed human dose predictions.

In Vivo PK In Vitro ADME PK PD Modeling Human Dose Prediction CRO Management Protein Degrader DMPK Strategy Budget Management Cross functional Leadership Data Analysis Winnonlin

Director, DMPK Project Specialist

Glaxosmithkline

Apr 2019 - Nov 2021 (2 years 7 months)

Led DMPK activities across multiple programs and acted as DMPK program representative for in vivo/in vitro translation. Coordinated CRO-supported DMPK and biology studies, performed PK/PD analysis during lead optimization, and conducted human dose prediction to enable FTIH studies.

In Vivo In Vitro Translation Human Dose Prediction CRO Management DMPK Studies Cross Functional Collaboration Regulatory Aligned Study Reporting PK PD Modeling

Director, FPD DMPK

Glaxosmithkline

Jan 2018 - Apr 2019 (1 year 3 months)

Managed DMPK activities and ensured alignment of hit-to-lead and lead optimization strategies with DMPK programs. Performed PK/PD analysis and human dose prediction for enabling FTIH studies, chaired the IACUC, and supported scientific peer review.

Human Dose Prediction DMPK Studies CRO Management IACUC Governance Cross Functional Collaboration Peer Review

Director, DMPK ADD Program

Glaxosmithkline

Jan 2016 - Jan 2018 (2 years)

Managed DMPK activities for multiple therapeutic areas and served as DMPK program representative. Coordinated in vivo/in vitro DMPK and biology studies with CROs, performed PK/PD and dose predictions for first-in-human studies, maintained EPE budgets, and chaired the IACUC.

DMPK Program Leadership In Vivo PK In Vitro ADME First In Human Dose Prediction CRO Management IACUC Chair Responsibilities Budget Management

Senior Scientific Investigator, DMPK

Glaxosmithkline

May 2014 - Jan 2016 (1 year 8 months)

Managed a DMPK team of 5 scientists and led scientific activities across multiple small-molecule programs. Directed PK/PD work to support compound progression and human dose prediction for first-in-human studies, chaired IACUC representation, and maintained DMPK EPE budgets within the performance unit.

Team Leadership Human Dose Prediction Dose Selection Budget Management Scientific Program Management IACUC Representation Cross Functional Collaboration

Investigator, DMPK (Immuno-Inflammation)

Glaxosmithkline

Jul 2008 - May 2014 (5 years 10 months)

Contributed to a core DMPK team delivering a clinical candidate into first-in-human studies and served as program/project representative. Designed, conducted, and interpreted preclinical in vitro/in vivo DMPK and bioanalytical studies, supported experimental design and model knowledge across programs, and represented the group on the IACUC.

In Vivo Study Interpretation DMPK Model Support Experimental Design EPE Budget Maintenance IACUC Representation Cross Program Knowledge Transfer

Investigator, Preclinical Drug Discovery DMPK

Glaxosmithkline

Apr 2007 - Jul 2008 (1 year 3 months)

Supervised a team of 7 in vivo DMPK scientists and co-led an in vitro/in vivo group of 14 scientists. Designed and led preclinical pharmacokinetic studies, approved key reports (including in vitro assays such as P450 inhibition and plasma protein binding), coordinated PK studies for animal toxicity dose selection, and performed due diligence for CROs.

In Vitro Assays (P450 Protein Binding)Dose Selection For Toxicity Studies Team Supervision IACUC Representation

Principal Scientist, Preclinical DMPK

Glaxosmithkline

Jun 2003 - Apr 2007 (3 years 10 months)

Supervised a team of 6 scientists and co-led an in vitro/in vivo group of 11 to deliver preclinical pharmacokinetics support. Designed and executed preclinical PK studies, modeled and interpreted PK data, coordinated PK studies for animal toxicity dose selection, and authored regulatory document inputs for early development plans.

PK Reporting & Regulatory Team Supervision Cross Functional Collaboration

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Auburn University

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Pharmacokinetics

Ph.D. in Pharmacokinetics at Auburn University. Dissertation: stereospecific pharmacokinetics of ketorolac in large animal species and evaluation of an implantable delivery system for long-term therapy.