Surya Rao holds a Masters degree in microbiology from the prestigious University of Texas, Austin, as well as an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, Athens.
His strengths are market research, intellectual property valuation and commercialization, and technology-based startup development. After studying applied biotechnology at the University of Mysore, he worked for Shantha Biotechnics Ltd, Hyderabad for 4 years as Research Associate, contributing to Shantha’s rDNA product development in its initial stages. He worked on several key projects such as GCSF, GMCSF, HBSAg, Interferon, Insulin, HPV and controlled release vaccines, etc. His technical skills include heterologous gene cloning, expression studies and scale-up, fermentation, as well as downstream processing and protein purification.
In the USA, Surya worked as Strategy and Product Management consultant for AptoTec, Inc, a Georgia based start-up developing nutraceuticals for obesity and osteoporosis. This was followed by a one year assignment for IBM as a management consultant. From 2007, Surya worked for three years in technology transfer at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His portfolio included technologies in life sciences and renewable energy, developed in the departments of microbiology, chemical engineering, veterinary and animal science, etc. Anellotech Inc (www.anellotech.com), QTeros Inc (www.qteros.com), Therapeutic Systems LLC (www.therapeuticsystems.com) and Texifter LLC (www.texifter.com) are some companies that were formed based on technologies in Surya’s portfolio. Surya has experience valuing early stage technologies, devising IP strategies, and in entering license agreements to commercialize technologies with potential. He also has experience in negotiating private-public sector research agreements such as sponsored research agreements.
At IKP Knowledge Park, Surya heads the Technology Licensing Office.
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