Kakali Dhar, PhD, Mini MBA
About Kakali Dhar, PhD, Mini MBA
Kakali Dhar, PhD, Mini MBA, serves as the Director of Bioanalysis, Platform Biology and Bioanalysis at CytomX Therapeutics in South San Francisco, California. With extensive experience in bioanalytical operations and regulatory compliance, she has held various leadership roles in prominent organizations, contributing significantly to pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics studies.
Work at CytomX Therapeutics
Currently, Kakali Dhar serves as the Director of Bioanalysis, Platform Biology and Bioanalysis at CytomX Therapeutics. She has held this position since 2022 in South San Francisco, California. In her role, she oversees the design, execution, and management of pharmacokinetics (PK), toxicokinetics (TK), biomarker, and immunogenicity studies. These studies support both small and large molecule modalities, ensuring that regulatory compliance is maintained throughout pre-clinical and clinical studies.
Education and Expertise
Kakali Dhar holds a Ph.D. in Zoology with a specialization in Histopathology and Molecular Toxicology from the University of Kalyani, which she completed from 1995 to 2001. She also earned a B.Sc. in Zoology (Hons.-Major) with minors in Botany and Chemistry in 1992, and an M.Sc. in Zoology with a specialization in Cell Biology and Immunology in 1994. Additionally, she completed a Mini MBA from Leaders Excellence at Harvard Square. Her expertise includes bioanalytical method development, qualification, pre-validation, and validation processes.
Background
Before joining CytomX Therapeutics, Kakali Dhar had an extensive career in bioanalysis and research. She worked at Syngene International Limited in various roles, including Lead Scientist and Head of the Department, and Senior Principal Scientist and Functional Head of Compliance. Her tenure at Biocon included the position of Associate Scientific Manager II. She also served as a Cancer Research Biologist at the Kansas City VA Medical Center and held a Senior Research Associate position at the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases.
Achievements
Kakali Dhar is recognized for her ability to effectively prioritize complex workloads while adhering to stringent deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards. She plays a strategic role in managing cross-functional teams, collaborating with groups in CMC, R&D, toxicology, sample management, clinical, and quality assurance. Her contributions to the field of bioanalysis have supported various regulatory compliance efforts in both pre-clinical and clinical studies.