About Us

NextRNA is a biotechnology company developing transformative small molecule therapeutics with a primary focus on oncology and neuroscience

Dysregulated lncRNAs recruit RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to drive pathological processes across disease areas. Our differentiated therapeutic approach centers on inhibiting the function of pathological lncRNAs by disrupting the interaction between lncRNAs and RBPs with small molecules.

Our innovative approach and platform position NextRNA to bring a new class of small molecule therapeutics to patients in need.

Partnering is an integral part of our strategy to unlock the therapeutic impact of lncRNAs across disease areas.

Read about our partnership in oncology with Bayer.

NextRNA Therapeutics

Developing Transformative Medicines

The NextRNA Team

Rakesh Chatrikhi, PhD
Senior Scientist, Biochemistry
Maya Rao, PhD
SENIOR SCIENTIST, RNA AND PROTEIN SCIENCES
Sara LaFleur
Senior Executive Assistant to the CEO
Franz Gruswitz, PhD
Senior Director of RNA & Protein Sciences
Jason Katz, PhD
VP, Head of Drug Discovery
Alejandra Raimondi
VP, Head of Biology
Simarjot S. Pabla, PhD
Associate Director, Computational Biology
Nilesh Amatya, PhD
Senior Scientist II, Biology
JS Cleiftie, MS, MBA
CBO & CFO
Benjamin Smith
Senior Associate, Operations
Chris Zheng
Senior Accountant
Lina Freitas, PhD
Associate Director, Operations
Andrey Dobroff, PhD
Principal Scientist, Target Validation
Shana Mendozza
Executive Director, Human Resources
Dominique Verhelle, PhD, MBA
Co-Founder & CEO
Dorothy Brach
Senior Scientist, Biology
Ziyue Li, PhD
Senior Scientist, Biology
Ana Ferreira, MPH, PMP
Associate Director, Alliance & Program Management
Michelle Moon, PhD
Scientist, RNA Chemistry
Sean Buchanan, PhD
Director, Biology
Zori Vargas
Associate Scientist, Biology
James E. (Jed) Thompson, PhD
Associate Director, Biochemistry
Spencer Truesdell, MEng
Senior Associate Scientist, Biology
Hong Liu, PhD
VP, Head of Computational Biology
Ahmed Said, PhD
Principal Scientist, Chemistry
Bhalchandra Rao, PhD
Senior Scientist II, Biology
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