Sergei M. Gryaznov

Sergei M. Gryaznov, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized scientist and expert in the areas of modern drug discovery and development, oncology, telomerase, immune-regulatory therapeutics, nucleosides, nucleotides, DNA & RNA analogues, lipid and other conjugates, small molecules and nucleic acid based therapeutic agents.

Dr. Gryaznov most recently served as the Head and Scientific Co-founder, Nucleic Acid Center of Excellence, Janssen Pharma, part of Johnson and Johnson family of companies (March 2015 – November 2019). Prior to his work at J&J, Dr. Gryaznov served as the Chief Technology Officer at AuraSense Therapeutics, (now Exicure Inc, XCUR). His work at AuraSense resulted in two APIs, which are currently in two Phase I/II clinical trials, for oncological and inflammatory indications and also enabled the company’s IPO, (February 2013-March 2015). Dr. Gryaznov also worked as the Director of Chemistry & Sr. Research Fellow with Geron Corporation, from 1998 until January 2013, where he defined major scientific and drug-discovery directions for the company. While at Geron, he has created unique and powerful broad-spectrum therapeutic and diagnostic/imaging technology platforms. One of the main results of his work was first-in-class, first-in-clinic telomerase inhibitor Imetelstat Sodium (GRN163L), which is currently in Phase III trials in hematological cancers. Dr. Gryaznov was also the co-inventor of a novel telomere-by-telomerase-targeting therapeutic approach to potential cancer treatment. Prior to joining Geron Corp., Dr. Gryaznov was at Lynx Therapeutics Inc. (now part of Illumina Inc.), as a scientific co-founder, from 1993 until 1997. At Lynx Therapeutics, Dr. Gryaznov discovered novel DNA and RNA analogues, suitable for variety oligonucleotide-derived applications.