A timely exploration of how next-generation molecular platforms are redefining the possibilities of modern therapeutics.
Venture Center is delighted to announce
Featured Talk of the 1st Leap Global Bootcamp and 19th BioPune Seminar Series on
RNAi in the Era of Nucleic Acid–Based Therapeutics
Organized by : Bioincubator and Leap Global Accelerator @ Venture Center
Supported by : Venture Center, Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) and Blockchain For Impact (BFI)
The talk takes a forward-looking view of the RNAi landscape and the emerging opportunities for India in this space, framed by advances in nucleic acid therapeutics and a strengthening biotech ecosystem. It highlights how innovation pathways, talent, infrastructure, and policy enablers could shape India’s positioning as the field matures globally and new applications move closer to clinical and commercial reality.
Date : 27th January, 2026
Time : 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm
Mode : Hybrid (In - person @ Venture Center and Online via Zoom )
Scope of the Talk :
The talk will cover :
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Two-decade journey of RNAi from discovery to therapeutic reality in molecular medicines.
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Breakthrough advances in extra-hepatic delivery expanding the therapeutic scope of RNAi therapeutics.
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Emerging RNAi pipeline for the treatment of rare, specialty, and prevalent disease indications.
The talk is free and open to all, but registration is mandatory
About the Speakers :
Keynote Speaker : Vasant Jadhav, Ph.D. (Chief Technology Officer & Senior Vice President, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dr. Vasant Jadhav is the Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, where he leads RNAi platform technology efforts including siRNA design and delivery approaches.
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He has more than 25 years of experience in the field of oligonucleotide therapeutics, with a strong focus on delivery and mechanistic investigations.
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He joined Alnylam in early 2014 after spending 12 years at Sirna-Merck, where he focused on optimizing siRNA designs and conjugate-based delivery systems.
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He is a co-inventor of multiple technologies, including ESC+ siRNA design, REVERSIR, GEMINI (Bis-RNAi), and extra-hepatic delivery approaches.
- Dr. Jadhav’s contributions, along with his team, towards improving the potency and specificity of siRNAs are utilized in multiple approved RNAi drugs and across Alnylam’s deep development pipeline.
- He has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals such as Nature Biotechnology, Nature Communications, and Nucleic Acids Research.
- Two of his publications were recognized as “Paper of the Year” by the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Speaker : P.M. Murali, Ph.D. (President, Council of Presidents, ABLE)
- Dr. Murali is the Chairman of Jananom Group and a veteran CEO with over 30 years of leadership experience in synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals, and gut health.
- He successfully took Evolva Biotech public on the Swiss Stock Exchange and pioneered plant-only formulations at the Dalmia Centre for Research.
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Dr. Murali is a prominent industry advocate and currently serves as the Honorary President of ABLE’s Council of Presidents and as Chairman of the Women’s Biotech Park, Tamil Nadu.
- He holds a Ph.D. and two D.Sc. degrees, and has over 100 patents and scientific publications to his credit.
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Beyond industry, he advises state governments on biotechnology policy and is recognized as a key voice in Indian biodiversity.
- He actively contributes to society as Vice Chairman of the Indian Red Cross and through his family trust, focusing on the education of girl children and the welfare of orphans.
Please Note :
- The talk will be followed by an invite-only roundtable discussion with selected healthcare startups
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Organizers reserve the right to accept or refuse or delay registrations so as to optimize the composition of the group and hence maximize learning for all participants..
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Only registered participants will be allowed to participate in the event.
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Email invitations to participate will be sent closer to the event.
For event related queries please reach out to :
Manish Gore | +91 - 7410045657 | manish.gore@venturecenter.co.in
