Sharat Singh, Phd

Biography

Sharat began his career at Syntex and has extensive experience in discovery research. While at Syntex, Sharat was a key inventor of LOCI technology which is a successful immuno-diagnostic assay on the market today. After Syntex, Sharat helped found ACLARA Biosciences where he was CSO and invented and commercialized eTags. He also initiated and directed multiple clinical collaborations with worldwide clinical investigators, and chaired multiple biomarker validation teams from biotech/pharmaceutical and academic institutions. His key scientific work included elucidation of compound mechanism of action, identification of biomarkers predictive of tumor response, and subsequent development of validated assays to define patient population in clinical trials. Sharat was instrumental in the merger of ACLARA Biosciences and ViroLogic with a valuation of over $220 million dollars. Sharat has a broad scientific background including contributions in oncology, organic chemistry, pathology, and immunology with more than 100 patents and patent applications and over 25 publications in peer-reviewed journals. Sharat has a Ph.D. in organic chemistry (1980 – 1984) from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India and did a postdoctoral fellowship (1985 – 1987), under Prof. R. Breslow at Columbia University, New York City.

Research Interest

Improvements in the early detection of cancer to improve survival rates. Monitoring tools on cancer progression from indolent to aggressive disease. Risk-assessment tools for lung and breast cancers. In the U.S., lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in U.S. women, and, after lung cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Enhanced tools to identify appropriate patients for immunotherapy and monitor cancer therapeutic effectiveness.