Karthik Raman, PhD
About Karthik Raman, PhD
Karthik Raman, PhD, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Persist AI, specializing in drug delivery and formulation development. With over a decade of experience in the field, he has held various roles in notable companies and institutions, focusing on leveraging machine learning to enhance drug development processes.
Work at Persist AI
Karthik Raman serves as the Co-Founder and CEO of Persist AI, a position he has held since 2022. The company operates in Woodland, California, focusing on leveraging machine learning and automation to enhance drug formulation processes. Under his leadership, Persist AI aims to reduce development time for PLGA-based formulations and improve the prediction of shelf stability for drug products, facilitating faster market readiness.
Previous Experience in Biotechnology
Prior to his role at Persist AI, Karthik Raman worked at several notable organizations in the biotechnology sector. He was a Senior Product Manager at Zymergen, Inc. from 2019 to 2021, where he focused on automation. Before that, he served as a Research and Development Scientist at Penumbra Inc from 2015 to 2017. His early career included positions as a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Utah, where he specialized in heparin biochemistry.
Education and Expertise
Karthik Raman completed his Ph.D. in Bioengineering at the University of Utah, focusing on drug delivery to the brain. His academic background also includes a B.S. in Bioengineering: Biotechnology from UC San Diego. He has specialized knowledge in reducing formulation development time and scaling drug formulations efficiently, with over a decade of experience in drug delivery, automation, and machine learning.
Founding and Leadership Roles
Karthik Raman has held various leadership positions throughout his career. He founded Papyrus Bio and served as its CEO from 2021 to 2022. His entrepreneurial journey continued with participation in Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch with Persist AI. His leadership roles reflect a commitment to advancing drug development processes and improving healthcare outcomes.
Personal Motivation and Impact
Karthik Raman's passion for drug development is deeply personal. His mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, and her successful treatment inspired him to focus on improving drug delivery systems. This personal experience drives his commitment to accelerating drug development and enhancing patient care through innovative solutions.