About Swati B Naphade, Ph.D.
Swati B Naphade, Ph.D.
Scientific Consultant & Founder
Swati has over 20 years of experience researching and advancing therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and rare disorders. Her career spans academia and biotech startups, where she has built research infrastructures, led cross-functional teams, and advanced multiple scientific programs leveraging preclinical in vitro and in vivo platforms, precision medicine and AI-driven drug development.
Recognized for her strategic mindset and collaborative leadership, Swati supports impactful science through her company, Aurelia Biotech Consulting providing scientific advising and strategic guidance to organizations advancing innovation from concept to clinic, driven by a deep passion for improving patients’ lives.
Swati received her PhD in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology at the Ohio State University.
Experience & Credentials
Cross-disciplinary expertise spanning neuro-degenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, aging and rare diseases.
10+ years of scientific leadership, including line management, team building, and cross-functional program direction in highly matrixed environments.
Deep in vitro & in vivo platform development experience, including iPSC-derived 2D/3D models, organoids, and genetically engineered/transgenic mouse paradigms.
Strong track record in target discovery & validation, mechanism-of-action studies, and supporting lead candidate nomination through preclinical advancement.
Effective scientific communicator with extensive experience presenting to stakeholders, KOLs, collaborators, investors, and academic partners.
Operational excellence in project management, developing research infrastructures, and data documentation workflows.
Global collaborator, adept at working across diverse institutions, CROs, and time zones.
Project Highlights
Advanced two first-in-class CNS therapeutics through IND submissions — VRG50635, PIKfyve inhibitor now in Phase 1b for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and NEU-627, a CNS-penetrant TYK2 inhibitor for Multiple Sclerosis, imminently entering Phase 1.
Led precision-medicine and AI-driven drug discovery initiatives across two venture-backed biotech startups, integrating multi-omics data to strengthen target discovery efforts, refine disease models and advance biomarker strategy.
Led drug discovery teams comprising scientists at all levels of training, setting OKRs, budgets, timelines, and guiding preclinical go/no-go decisions for the organization’s scientific programs.
Recipient of numerous merit-based fellowships and distinctions reflecting a sustained record of scientific achievement. Consistently honored for top performance, academic excellence and research impact across all stages of training and corporate leadership.
Scientific work published in 20+ peer-reviewed high-impact journals; invited speaker at multiple conferences and workshops.
Work Style
Swati is recognized for her out-of-the-box thinking and a demonstrated 20+ year track record of refining scientific tools, techniques, systems, processes and perspectives to accelerate scientific programs. She is results-oriented and passionate about execution, with an approachable down-to-earth working style.
Swati is known for “getting things done,” developing top talent, optimizing workflows, and turning innovative scientific strategies from concept into impact.
A natural team player driving cross-functional collaborations within the organization and with external CROs and academic partners across two innovative biotech startups.
Celebrated for her heart-centered leadership, Swati provides clear direction while fostering a collaborative, empowering team culture.
Swati builds trust, encourages open dialogue, and supports individual growth, all while driving the mission to bring safe, transformative therapies to patients with urgency and care.
Swati is detail-oriented and analytical, leveraging deep expertise and data-driven insights to guide therapeutic strategies while pragmatically creating organized frameworks and priorities to tackle complex, ambiguous challenges.
Swati is skilled at identifying unconventional approaches and hidden opportunities and uncovering strategies and solutions that others may overlook.
Guided by Purpose, Driven by Values