Siddharth S. Matikonda, Ph.D.

I am a trained chemical biologist and medicinal chemist with an expertise in the areas of bioconjugation, organic synthesis, fluorescent probe development, bioorthogonal chemistry, and synthetic methodology development. My research interests span across chemical biology, photo physics and pharmaceutical science.

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During my tenure at AstraZeneca, I have spearheaded innovative R&D initiatives, particularly in bioconjugation and organic synthesis. As the pre-clinical lead on two of the AZ portfolio projects, I have collaborated closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver impactful results. Notably, my contributions to ADC chemistry initiatives have led to advancements in linker payloads and stable conjugation chemistries, significantly enhancing drug delivery mechanisms.

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Prior to my work at AstraZeneca, I conducted research at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, focusing on the development of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) to address limitations in current cancer therapy. Additionally, my doctoral research at the University of Otago revolved around developing bioorthogonal chemistries for click-to-release based prodrug activation strategies, with the aim of mitigating the narrow therapeutic index and off-target side effects of existing chemotherapy.​

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My academic journey includes undergraduate thesis by research at the University of Kansas, KS (USA) and BITS Pilani (India). These experiences laid a strong foundation in chemical synthesis, culminating in my expertise in the field.