Rohan Kulkarni, Ph.D.

Group Lead, Upstream Process Development at Bionova Scientific

Speaker

Rohan Kulkarni is Group Lead, Upstream Process Development at Bionova Scientific, part of the Asahi Kasei Group. He leads and supports the accelerated development of CHO-derived biologics across a diverse CDMO client portfolio, guiding programs from early development through pivotal supply and commercial launch readiness.

Rohan works closely with CMC, MSAT, Quality, and Manufacturing teams to translate early-stage process learnings into scalable, robust manufacturing strategies. His expertise includes upstream platform development, control strategy definition, and the establishment of fit-for-purpose scale-down models to enable rapid process characterization and efficient technology transfer.

Known for his structured, data-driven approach, Rohan designs and executes rigorous experimental strategies and interprets complex datasets to support clear, defensible decision-making. He is adept at communicating technical trade-offs in a concise and practical manner, ensuring cross-functional alignment around risk, timelines, cost, and regulatory expectations. His work consistently prioritizes manufacturability, supply continuity, and long-term regulatory readiness.

Rohan earned his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Houston. He has contributed to a wide range of programs spanning recombinant biologics, bioprocess optimization, and vaccine-related development. His work has resulted in 12 peer-reviewed publications, a provisional patent application, and multiple award-winning conference presentations and posters.