Kernal is creating mRNA 2.0 therapies that work in specific cells
Kernal Bio creates mRNA 2.0 therapies that instruct specific cells on how to make their own medicine. Kernal Bio encrypts mRNA’s “message” in a language that only cancer cells understand. These tumor-specific mRNA therapeutics allow precise targeting of cancer cells, without harming normal cells or tissues. They have recently been validated in preclinical tumor models, showing high efficacy and safety as well as durable adaptive immunity. Kernal’s lead asset is effective in p53-deficient tumors, which represent half of all human cancers. With roots at MIT, Harvard and Biopharma, Kernal’s management team has deep expertise in mRNA therapeutics space. CEO, Yusuf Erkul, M.D. is a successful drug hunter whose research at Merck enabled an FDA-approved drug for ovarian cancer. President, Burak Yilmaz, M.S., previously founded Sentegen, Turkey's first synthetic biology company which manufactures synthetic DNA, RNA, and diagnostic kits for genetic and infectious diseases. CBO, Maria Grunwald, Ph.D., M.B.A, is a business development executive who led more than 25 BD deals at Dyax (acquired by Shire), Dicerna [acquired by Novo Nordisk], Genevant, and others. VP of R&D Manfred is a leader in immuno-oncology, who was most recently Scientific Senior Director at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS).
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Active Founders
Yusuf Erkul
I'm a co-founder of Kernal Biologics, a Cambridge, MA-based biotech startup developing next-generation messenger RNA immunotherapy. With expertise in nucleic acid therapeutics, innate immunity, and cancer biology, I co-invented Kernal's proprietary stealth mRNA and onco-selective mRNA technologies. Currently, I lead Kernal's drug discovery and development efforts. Prior to Kernal, I worked at Merck and Sentegen. I hold an M.D. from Hacettepe University (Turkey) and a B.S. in Biology from MIT.
Cafer Ozdemir
I got PhD in Molecular Genetics at UTSW Medical Center at Dallas. I moved to Boston for postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. I served as Biochemistry instructor at MIT. Then I joined Kernal as a co-founder.
Burak YILMAZ
My name is Burak Yilmaz, MS, co-founder, and lead designer of Kernal Biologics. As a synthetic biologist, I co-invented stealth and onco-selective mRNA platform technology in Kernal. Kernal is my second endeavor. Previously, I founded Sentegen/Sentebiolab which is a synthetic biology company that produces synthetic DNA for research and diagnostic purposes.
