Science.

Strategy.

Success.

Consulting Services

Science. Strategy. Success.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~ Albert Einstein

As the Scientific Lead & Founder of Aurelia Biotech Consulting, one of Swati Naphade’s goals is to ensure that organizations don’t sit in a cycle of insanity. Through the consulting services below, she brings a rare ability and fosters a flexible willingness to look where others don’t—connecting the dots that bring about bold innovation in shorter time frames. Swati’s unique intuitive approach is rooted in fearless, calculated risks to explore new possibilities for how things can be done as she works to transform science for accelerated breakthroughs.

Areas of Expertise

  • Neurodegenerative diseases
    (MS, PD, ALS, HD, AD and FTLD)

  • Neuroinflammation / Neuroimmunology

  • CNS injury (spinal cord injury)

  • Aging & Cellular senescence

  • Other cellular pathways and indications

  • iPSC modeling & NAMs implementation
    (neurons, microglia, astrocytes, organoids)

  • Pediatric/Rare diseases (lysosomal storage disorders)

  • Gene and stem cell therapy (Cystinosis, HD)

  • Small molecule drug discovery 

Scientific Approach & Implementation

  • Target and Biomarker Discovery & Validation
    Identifying, triaging, and validating therapeutic targets and biomarkers — including monograph generation and translational context. 

  • Mechanistic and Hypothesis-Driven Investigations
    Elucidating mechanisms of action through integrative data review and literature analysis, using in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models.

  • Assay and Platform Development
    1. Building and optimizing in vitro assays, screening platforms, and data pipelines to support lead discovery and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis, and enable high-throughput screening. 2. Developing complex disease models, inlcuding ex vivo systems, 3D cultures, and iPSC platforms to investigate disease mechanisms. 

  • In Vivo Studies and Translational Modeling
    Developing in vivo and ex vivo models to assess pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) relationships and therapeutic efficacy. 

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Project / Program Management

  • Strategic Planning and Execution of Research Programs
    Designing and guiding translational research programs from concept through implementation, aligned with company goals. 

  • Scientific Program Management Across Partners
    Managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs involving CROs, KOLs and academic collaborators, vendors, and internal teams. 

  • Filling Critical Gaps in Expertise or Bandwidth
    Stepping in as a strategic or scientific partner where internal bandwidth or experience is limited. 

  • Cross-Functional Scientific Collaboration
    Working seamlessly with Medicinal Chemistry, Antibody Discovery, Toxicology, Computational Biology, Legal/IP and Business Development teams. 

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Writing & Communication

  • Grant and Regulatory Writing
    Writing industry and foundation grants, IND-enabling documentation, and other regulatory or scientific materials. 

  • Scientific Communication & Visualization
    Creating compelling presentations, illustrations, and narratives for internal teams, for grant writing and publications. 

  • Publication Strategy & Co-authorship
    Advising on and co-authoring high-quality manuscripts that enhance scientific credibility and external visibility.

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Scientific Mentoring & Operational Leadership

  • Facilitating Team Building Across Functions
    Developing high-performing scientific teams and fostering cross-functional collaboration to align research efforts with business objectives.

  • Mentoring and Empowering Scientists
    Providing technical mentorship and strategic coaching to help scientists grow into independent, confident thinkers and contributors.

  • Developing Research Infrastructure
    Establishing research infrastructures, identifying and introducing innovative technologies to accelerate scientific programs.

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation

Business Development

  • Due Diligence and Competitive Landscape Evaluation
    Supporting internal or investor-driven evaluations of programs, technologies, and external assets through a scientific lens.

  • Fundraising and Stakeholder Engagement
    Transforming complex science into clear, compelling stories and visuals for investors, boards, and collaborators. From pitch decks and data-driven illustrations to KOL outreach and investor engagement, every element is designed to inspire confidence and drive connection.

  • Strategic Business Development Partnerships
    Driving business expansion by connecting clients with investors, services, partners, and key industry stakeholders through outcome-driven collaborations that align success with results.

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Consultation
  • “Swati has deep knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases and a strong track record of leading target discovery, validation, and drug discovery. She is careful with data, makes thoughtful decisions, and keeps a high bar for scientific quality. What I appreciate most about Swati is her initiative and creativity—she is often the first to suggest a new idea, platform, or technology that could move the science forward, and she is willing to take ownership to make those ideas real. She is an excellent communicator and presenter and consistently brings a solutions-oriented mindset. As a leader, Swati set a clear direction, encouraged open discussion, built a collaborative and respectful team culture, and fostered growth. I strongly recommend her to any organization looking for a strategic scientific leader, trusted partner, and consultant.”

    ~ Chao Wang, Principal Scientist, Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Verge Genomics

  • “Swati is one of those rare colleagues who combines deep scientific expertise with genuine drive and heart. She consistently takes initiative, steps up to challenges with resilience, and is determined to get things done and make a real difference. Her strong background in neuroscience and next-generation sequencing was a huge asset to every project we worked on, and she always approached problems with both rigor and creativity. Beyond her skills, Swati is a thoughtful, collaborative teammate who makes the people around her better, and she is well poised to continue making significant impact as a trusted advisor and consultant.”

    ~ Ningzhe Zhang, PhD, Drug Discovery Program Lead, Verge Genomics

  • “Swati is a highly resourceful, productive, and passionate scientist, skilled at managing multiple projects across diverse scientific areas and consistently delivering high-quality results. Her attention to detail, exceptional writing and presentation abilities, and clarity of communication allow her to convey complex data with impact. With strong organizational skills and the ability to quickly master new concepts and technologies, she is an invaluable collaborator and consultant, well poised to make a tangible difference and deliver measurable impact.”

    ~ Lisa Ellerby, PhD, Professor, Buck Institute for Research on Aging

  • “It was a pleasure collaborating with Swati to co-organize and moderate a highly successful Neuroscience Symposium. She demonstrated deep subject matter expertise, exceptional communication skills, and an engaging presence throughout every stage of planning and execution. Her captivating opening presentation set the tone for the event, drawing in the audience and fostering enthusiasm and engagement. Swati’s meticulous planning, proactive approach, and attention to detail ensured the symposium ran seamlessly and earned wide praise from participants. Beyond her organizational strengths, she is a cordial, dependable, and creative collaborator who brings strategic thinking and fresh perspectives that elevate any project she undertakes. Her combination of professionalism, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skill makes her not only an outstanding partner for scientific initiatives but also a trusted advisor and consultant.”

    ~ Songli Wang, MD, PhD, CEO and Founder, BioEdge Global LLC

  • “Incredibly talented scientist with deep expertise in neuroscience and genomics. Consistently takes initiative to launch new projects and push science forward. Fantastic collaborator — thoughtful, insightful, and positive presence on every team.”

    ~ Raj Bhatnagar, PhD, Lead of Computational Biology, Nautilus Biotechnology

  • “Swati will get it done — even if it hasn’t been done before. Her deep knowledge across diverse scientific areas and relentless drive make her an invaluable asset to any organization. In meetings, she consistently contributes insightful ideas, and in the lab, she guides their execution with clarity, precision, and speed. Swati holds herself and those around her to the highest standards, and working with her is both motivating and inspiring, pushing teams to think bigger and perform at their best.”

    ~ Katherine Kurylo, Senior Scientist, Marea Therapeutics

  • “I had the pleasure of working at Verge Genomics with Swati, where she focused on several neurodegeneration research projects, and I was consistently impressed by her exceptional attention to detail and unwavering dedication. Swati brings deep technical expertise and precision to every project, ensuring that results are both reliable and reproducible. Her focus and commitment to quality were key in advancing our understanding of complex cellular mechanisms. Swati's expertise makes her an invaluable contributor to any drug discovery project that demands rigor and thoroughness.”

    ~ Shannon Stone, Director of Portfolio Talent at The Column Group

Ready to accelerate your next initiative?

Call Swati directly at 614-361-7860 or complete the form.