Vara Prasad

Vara Prasad is a seasoned professional in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, currently serving as Senior Director of Product Development at Cleveland Clinic since January 2018. In this role, Vara Prasad translates early-stage scientific discoveries into commercially viable products, manages project milestones and budgets, and scouts projects targeting heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders across partner institutions. Prior experience includes positions as Associate Director and Invention Manager at Northwestern University, Patent Agent at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, and Senior Director at PTC Therapeutics, where significant grant funding was secured. Additionally, Vara Prasad has held various leadership roles at Pfizer, overseeing project teams to deliver clinical candidates across multiple therapeutic areas. Educational credentials include a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, and postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Purdue University.