00+

Years of Experience

Drug Discovery

15 Publications · 1,169 Citations · h-index 10

About Me

Driving Innovative
Drug Discovery

Principal Scientist & Head of Discovery with 18+ years of expertise in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery, spanning antiviral, oncology, and CNS programs. Proven track record in SBDD/LBDD/CADD, hit-to-lead, lead optimization, IND-enabling studies, cross-functional team leadership, CRO management, and IP creation across small molecules and macrocycles.

Key contributor to Molnupiravir (Lagevrio™) — the first FDA Emergency Use Authorized oral COVID-19 antiviral. USCIS EB-1A Permanent Resident (Extraordinary Ability in Sciences).

15Publications
1,169Citations
4Patents
2NIH Grants

Antiviral Pipeline

Built Atea's RSV antiviral pipeline from scratch; advanced to preclinical candidate stage with 200+ analogs across 4 inhibitor series.

IP & Patents

4 issued patents including a MALT1 inhibitor in-licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals (J&J) and a novel antiviral patent filed at Atea (2024).

Macrocycle Expert

Lead author on landmark Nature Chemical Biology paper (471 citations) establishing first bRo5 drug-likeness rules for macrocycles.

COVID-19 Impact

Key contributor to Molnupiravir mechanism — constructed SARS-CoV-2 RdRp biostructural models; published J. Chem. Inf. Model. (2021).

Core Competencies

Areas of Expertise & Technical Skills

Chemistry & Synthesis

Medicinal Chemistry · Organic Synthesis · Asymmetric & Chiral Synthesis · Macrocyclic Drug Design · Peptidomimetic Chemistry · Nucleoside Analog Design · Covalent Inhibitor Design · FBDD · Rh(II) Carbenoid C-H Functionalization · Natural Product Synthesis

Drug Design & Modeling

SBDD · LBDD · CADD · Molecular Docking · Virtual Screening · Pharmacophore Modeling · Hit-to-Lead · Lead Optimization · MPO · SAR/SPR Analysis · PK/PD Modeling · ADMET Optimization · IND-Enabling Studies · Beyond Rule-of-Five (bRo5)

Targets & Therapeutic Areas

RdRp Inhibitors (RSV, SARS-CoV-2, Dengue) · Viral Protease Inhibitors · MALT1 Paracaspase · TAK1 Kinase · APE1 · NF-kB/REL · AMR/Colistin · Oncology (ABC-DLBCL, Pancreatic & Breast Cancer) · CNS (SNRI, 5HT2A)

Analytical & Computational Tools

NMR (1H, 13C, 2D) · HPLC · LC-MS · HRMS · Chiral HPLC · Schrodinger Suite · MOE · AutoDock · FTMap · Molecular Dynamics · Free-Energy Perturbation (FEP) · QSAR/QSPR · PK/PD & ADMET Profiling

Leadership & Operations

Cross-Functional Team Management · CRO/FTE Oversight · NIH Grant Writing & Administration · IP Strategy & Patent Filing · IND Application · Preclinical Candidate Selection · cGMP/GMP Manufacturing · Project Management (Agile/Waterfall)

Certifications

Efficient Chemical Manufacturing & Continuous Technology
Scientific Update Ltd. (2020)

Advanced NMR Certification
Emory University NMR Center (2019)

SciPhD Certificate Program
SciPhD.com (2016)

Education

Academic Journey & Training

Degrees & Training

Emory University · Atlanta, GA

Ph.D., Organic / Medicinal Chemistry · 2011

Adviser: Prof. Huw M.L. Davies. Thesis: Synthesis of Small Molecule Therapeutics Utilizing Rhodium Carbenoid Chemistry. Research in Rh(II)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H functionalization for drug discovery.

University of Mississippi · Oxford, MS

Ph.D. Coursework, Organic Chemistry · 2003–2006

Adviser: Prof. Jon C. Antilla. Doctoral research in asymmetric organocatalysis — pioneered chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed imine amidation. JACS 2005, 290+ citations. (Transferred to Emory to complete PhD.)

Professional Experience

Scientific Innovation & Leadership

Principal Scientist & Head of Discovery

Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Boston, MA · 2022 – Present

Built Atea's RSV antiviral pipeline from scratch; directed cross-functional team of chemists, CADD scientists, PK, and biologists; advanced to preclinical candidate stage with 200+ analogs across 4 inhibitor series. Core SBDD chemistry leader across dengue (AT-752), RSV, and broad-spectrum antiviral programs. Filed diaryl hydantoin composition-of-matter patent (2024). Managed global CRO FTEs across 3 concurrent programs.

Senior Staff Scientist & Group Leader

Emory University, Dept. of Chemistry (Prof. Dennis Liotta Group) · Atlanta, GA · 2015 – 2022

Led 4 simultaneous drug discovery programs: COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 (key contributor to Molnupiravir mechanistic basis; J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2021), HBV drug repurposing, antibiotic resistance (NIH-R33; ACS Infect. Dis. 2023), and pancreatic/breast cancer (Oncotarget 2018; $50K non-profit funding). Managed 5-6 scientists; administered 2 NIH grants (R01, R33).

Scientist

Harvard Medical School / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Nathanael Gray & Scott Labs) · Boston, MA · 2014 – 2015

Developed first selective covalent MALT1 paracaspase inhibitors for chemoresistant ABC-DLBCL (NIH-R01CA182736). Synthesized ~100 tri/tetrapeptide substrate-mimetic inhibitors; achieved in vivo tumor suppression. Published J. Clin. Invest. (2018, 67 citations). IP in-licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals (WO/2017/040304).

Postdoctoral Associate

Boston University, Dept. of Chemistry (Prof. John Porco Jr. Group) · Boston, MA · 2011 – 2014

Synthesized 100+ structurally diverse macrocycles; co-authored landmark Nature Chemical Biology paper (2014, 471 citations) establishing first bRo5 drug-likeness rules for macrocycles. Discovered APE1 macrocyclic inhibitors via SBDD hot-spot mapping (J. Med. Chem. 2019). Developed novel diastereodivergent macrocyclization methodology (J. Org. Chem. 2018).

Doctoral Researcher

Emory University (Huw Davies Group) & University of Mississippi (Jon Antilla Group) · 2003 – 2011

Synthesized ~40 chiral cyclopropane SNRI analogs (neuropathic pain) and ~100 5HT2A antagonists (cocaine addiction) via Rh(II)-carbenoid C-H functionalization. Developed selective TAK1 kinase inhibitors (NIH-R01 grant; US patent 9,751,825). Pioneered chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed imine amidation (JACS 2005, 290+ citations).

Consulting Experience

Industry & Biotech Advisory

Scientific Consultant

Suneco Therapeutics LLC · 2023 – 2025

Synthetic strategy design and pipeline advisory for antiviral drug development programs.

Scientific Consultant

Rixoma Therapeutics LLC · Oklahoma, OK · 2020 – 2022

Primary consultant for nutraceutical API manufacturing; established cGMP production protocols, managed offshore CROs, delivered quarterly progress reports ensuring regulatory compliance.

Scientific Consultant

Migra Therapeutics LLC · Atlanta, GA · 2019

Led 4-member consulting team to assess targeted nanoparticle cancer platform; evaluated freedom-to-operate, GMP manufacturing path, and clinical trial strategy; pitched to venture capitalists facilitating seed funding discussions.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

15 Publications · 1,169 Citations · h-index 10

View full list on Google Scholar

2025In Prep
Structure-based Discovery of Peptidomimetic Broad-Spectrum Viral Protease Inhibitors
Manuscript in Preparation
Chennamadhavuni S, et al.
2023
Antibiotic adjuvant inhibits NaxD to reverse colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
ACS Infectious Diseases (2023)
Crispell E, Du Y, Chennamadhavuni S, et al.
NIH-R33 Grant funded
2021Molnupiravir
Biostructural models for the binding of nucleoside analogs to SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
J. Chem. Inf. Model. 61, 1402 (2021)
Prussia AJ, Chennamadhavuni S.
10 citations · Mechanistic basis for Molnupiravir (FDA EUA)
2019
Discovery of macrocyclic inhibitors of Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease I
J. Med. Chem. 62, 1971 (2019)
Trilles R, Beglov D, Chen Q, Chennamadhavuni S, et al.
20 citations
2019
Peptide-based covalent inhibitors of MALT1 paracaspase
Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 29, 1336 (2019)
Hatcher JM, Du G, Fontan L, Chennamadhavuni S, et al.
17 citations
201867 citations
Specific covalent inhibition of MALT1 paracaspase suppresses B cell lymphoma growth
J. Clin. Invest. 128, 4397 (2018)
Fontan L, Qiao Q, Hatcher JM, Chennamadhavuni S, et al.
67 citations · Janssen in-license
2018
Inhibition of breast cancer metastasis to the lungs with UBS109
Oncotarget 9, 36102 (2018)
Shoji M, Qian WQ, Chennamadhavuni S, et al.
12 citations
2018
Diastereodivergent synthesis of chiral tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2d]diazepin(2,5)-diones via one-pot intramolecular aza-Michael/lactamization
J. Org. Chem. 83, 15449 (2018)
Chennamadhavuni S, Panek SJ, Porco JA Jr., Brown EL.
2015
Inhibition of oncogenic transcription factor REL by calafianin monomer 101 induces proliferation arrest and apoptosis in human B-lymphoma cell lines
Molecules (2015)
Yeo AT, Chennamadhavuni S, Whitty A, Porco JA Jr., Gilmore TD.
2014471 citations
How proteins bind macrocycles
Nature Chemical Biology 10, 723 (2014)
Villar EA, Beglov D, Chennamadhavuni S, Porco JA Jr., et al.
471 citations · Landmark bRo5 macrocycle drug-likeness rules
2013
Guide to enantioselective dirhodium(II)-catalyzed cyclopropanation with aryldiazoacetates
Tetrahedron (2013)
Chepiga KM, Qin C, Alford JS, Chennamadhavuni S, Davies HML, et al.
29 citations
2010
Preparation of chiral and achiral triazolium salts: carbene precursors with demonstrated synthetic utility
Organic Syntheses (2010)
Vora HU, Lathrop SP, Chennamadhavuni S, Davies HML, et al.
2005290+ citations
Bronsted Acid-Catalyzed Imine Amidation
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 15696 (2005)
Rowland GB, Zhang H, Rowland EB, Chennamadhavuni S, Wang Y, Antilla JC.
290+ citations · Seminal organocatalysis paper · NIH-R01 funded
View All on Google Scholar
Intellectual Property

Patents & IP Portfolio

2024
Diaryl Hydantoin Compounds and Uses Thereof
Composition of Matter Patent Filed (2024)
Chennamadhavuni S, et al. · Atea Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Filed

Novel antiviral chemotype with favorable IP landscape for broad-spectrum antiviral applications.

2020Janssen In-Licensed
MALT1 Inhibitors and Uses Thereof
US Patent 10,711,036 · WO/2017/040304
Gray NS, Scott DA, Chennamadhavuni S, Melnick AM, et al.
Issued & In-Licensed

Covalent MALT1 paracaspase inhibitors for ABC-DLBCL. Technology in-licensed to Janssen Pharmaceuticals (Johnson & Johnson).

2017–2018
TAK1 Kinase Inhibitors, Compositions, and Uses Related Thereto
US Patent 9,751,825 & 10,093,609
Davies HML, Chennamadhavuni S, Bakin A.
Issued

Selective TAK1 kinase inhibitors for NF-kB/TGFbeta signaling in cancer. Emerged from NIH-R01 funded doctoral research at Emory University.

2019
Cyclopropyl Derivatives and Methods of Use
US Patent 10,207,984 · WO2012US33423
Davies HML, Chennamadhavuni S, Martin TJ, Childers SR.
Issued

Chiral cyclopropane-based SNRI analogs for neuropathic pain treatment targeting SERT/NET receptors.

Grants & Funding

Research Funding & Recognition

NIH R33
Antibiotic Adjuvant for Colistin Resistance (AMR)
Emory University · Co-Investigator · Secured & Administered · Published: ACS Infect. Dis. (2023)
NIH R01
TAK1 Kinase Inhibitor Program (Oncology)
Emory University · Principal Investigator · Led to US Patent 9,751,825 (2017)
NIH R01
MALT1 Covalent Inhibitor Program — NIH-R01CA182736
Harvard / Dana-Farber · Contributor · Published: J. Clin. Invest. (2018, 67 citations); IP in-licensed to Janssen
Non-Profit
Pancreatic Cancer Research — $50,000
"It's the Journey" Organization · Emory University · UBS109 / Curcumin Analog Program · Published: Oncotarget (2018)

Honors & Recognition

USCIS EB-1A Permanent Residency
Extraordinary Ability in Sciences — reserved for the top percentile of their field.
FDA EUA Molnupiravir (COVID-19)
Key contributor to Lagevrio — first oral COVID-19 antiviral. Structural modeling published 2021.
Nature Chemical Biology (2014)
471+ citations — landmark macrocycle drug-likeness paper.
JACS Organocatalysis (2005)
290+ citations — seminal contribution to asymmetric synthesis.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals In-License
MALT1 inhibitor patent (WO/2017/040304) in-licensed to J&J.
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