Ramesh Jayaraman

Founder & Director, Dosequantics Consulting

The pharmaceutical industry is evolving rapidly, driven by increasing life expectancy, rising disposable incomes, and an aging population. A significant contributor to improved life expectancy is the advent of innovative treatments such as antibiotics, targeted drugs, gene and cell therapies to treat infections, cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. These advancements have transformed the management and treatment of these diseases. However, despite these breakthroughs, global health challenges persist. Infectious diseases, exacerbated by antimicrobial resistance, along with cancer and cardiovascular diseases, continue to claim millions of lives. Additionally, lifestyle changes have led to an increase in metabolic disorders and autoimmune diseases, necessitating the development of novel therapies. Rare diseases, in particular, often lack therapies, highlighting the need for continued innovation. Clearly, urgent unmet needs exist for safer and more effective treatments for many diseases.

DoseQuantics Consulting positions itself uniquely in this dynamic market. The firm provides specialized consultancy services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, particularly small and mid-sized enterprises, that often face challenges in progressing novel molecules from discovery to clinical development. The firm offers consultancy services in pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) and Quantitative Pharmacology (QP), which are critical for setting optimum dose, regimen and duration in nonclinical and clinical stages. By enabling clients to use PK/PD and QP for strategic decision-making in projects, the firm contributes to the successful development of innovative therapeutics.

What sets DoseQuantics Consulting apart from competitors is the extensive experience of its Founder & Director, Ramesh Jayaraman, who brings 30 years of expertise in drug discovery and development. Ramesh was part of the team at S*BIO that discovered and developed Pacritinib (VONJO), a JAK2 inhibitor approved for myelofibrosis, Pracinostat and Zotiraciclib in cancer, and SB1578 for Rheumatoid arthritis. At AstraZeneca, he worked on PK/PD of antituberculosis drugs, and at TheraIndx, he collaborated with BugWorks on PK/PD of BWC0977, an antibacterial clinical candidate. This handson experience from discovery to approval provides clients with unique insights. His expertise in PK/PD in diverse therapeutic areas is a significant differentiator, ensuring comprehensive and effective consultancy throughout the drug development process.

Core Competency

Clients in the drug development process face significant challenges such aas the identification of a lead candidate, lead optimization to identify a preclinical candidate etc. With drug discovery being a high-risk, lengthy, and costly endeavor with a failure rate exceeding 90 percent, DoseQuantics Consulting focuses on minimizing these risks early. The firm’s mission is to guide clients through critical stages, offering expert consultancy to identify potential pitfalls and optimize decision-making. By prioritizing risk reduction, the firm helps clients "fail fast and cheap", ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to increase the likelihood of success as projects progress through discovery and development.

DoseQuantics Consulting specializes in application of PK/PD and QP in lead identification, optimization, preclinical and clinical development. The process begins with identifying a lead compound based on in vitro potency, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy, ensuring it meets the requirements for proof of concept or hypothesis validation for treating a disease. This is followed by optimization of a preclinical candidate and preclinical development to evaluate its safety and potential to become a clinical candidate. The firm employs innovative approaches, emphasizing quantitative pharmacology to optimize compounds, ensuring they demonstrate robust PK/ PD relationships, forming the foundation for successful lead optimization programs.

Understanding a candidate’s safety profile is as critical as its efficacy. DoseQuantics Consulting integrates safety assessments into PK/PD analyses by evaluating the molecules' PK/PD and safety data holistically to guide candidate optimization. Tailoring services to meet diverse client needs, the firm collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, from startups to large enterprises. Depending on client requirements, the firm provides data analysis, interpretation, and expert feedback or actively participates in project teams as PK/PD and drug discovery experts. It supports programs at all stages, from early discovery to clinical development, ensuring customized solutions to advance drug development effectively.

DoseQuantics Consulting prioritizes customer satisfaction by actively engaging with clients to address their concerns, feedback, or criticism. The firm emphasizes open communication, often conducting face-to-face meetings to understand client expectations and identify areas for improvement. Constructive feedback is embraced and incorporated to refine consultancy services continually. Flexibility is a cornerstone of the firm’s operations, ensuring prompt responses and tailored solutions without unnecessary procedural delays. By maintaining a proactive and clientfocused approach, DoseQuantics Consulting ensures high levels of satisfaction while fostering strong, collaborative relationships that adapt to the evolving needs of its pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.

DoseQuantics Consulting is focused on delivering highquality consultancy services using advanced PK/PD and pharmacometric methods. Recognizing the rapid evolution of AI and machine learning-based tools in drug development, the company aims to integrate these cutting-edge technologies into its offerings. Within the next two to three years, the firm plans to enhance its consultancy capabilities by leveraging AI-driven solutions, providing more sophisticated and precise feedback to clients. This strategic vision underscores the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in its field.

“In India, there should be greater awareness of how drug discovery and development works. People know about it, but there needs to be a deeper understanding of the time it takes for a molecule to go from invention to approval, often 8 to 10 years with only a 10 percent success rate. Companies must be prepared for the long journey, accept the risks, and commit to R&D. Additionally, awareness of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacometrics should be raised, as they are crucial for translating molecules from discovery to clinical use”, concludes Ramesh Jayaraman.