Career as a Formulation Scientist in Drug Delivery after PhD | Nanoparticle Therapeutics
Career Konnect brings forward diverse and evolving career paths for science professionals. In this edition, we feature Dr. Subhadeep Dutta, Scientist in Novel Drug Delivery and Formulation at Silexion Therapeutics, USA. With a strong background in chemistry, polymer science, and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, his journey from Jadavpur University and IIT Bombay to Arizona State University and the biotech industry highlights how interdisciplinary research and translational science can lead to impactful careers in advanced therapeutics.
Current Role: Senior Scientist, Merck, USA
Career Konnect Interview (2024 recorded interview)
Academic journey and early inspiration in chemistry
I was born and brought up in a small town called Serampore in West Bengal, India, on the banks of the Hooghly River. I grew up in a middle-class family where neither of my parents came from a STEM background. However, my interest in chemistry started developing during high school.
At a time when most students around me were pursuing engineering or medicine, I decided to choose basic science and pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Jadavpur University. Later, I completed my Master’s from IIT Bombay.
During my undergraduate and Master’s training, I gained exposure to organic chemistry and analytical characterization techniques through research experiences. After completing my Master’s, I worked for a year as a project associate at IIT Madras, where I was first introduced to the application of chemistry for solving biological problems.
We worked on synthesizing anti-tuberculosis drug molecules through eco-friendly chemo-enzymatic approaches using yeast systems. That experience really expanded my perspective beyond traditional chemistry and introduced me to translational research.
Transition into polymeric nanoparticles and drug delivery research
Later, I joined Arizona State University for my PhD in Chemistry. Interestingly, instead of joining a traditional chemistry laboratory, I joined a highly interdisciplinary research group within chemical engineering.
That decision opened up an entirely new research direction for me. During my PhD, I worked extensively on developing polymeric nanoparticle-based formulations for multiple biomedical applications, including gene delivery, drug delivery, radiation sensing, T-cell engineering, and endoscopic imaging.
What fascinated me most about nanoparticle systems was the versatility of the technology. Although different diseases or applications may appear unrelated, many underlying formulation principles overlap. By carefully tuning the composition and properties of polymeric nanoparticles, we can optimize them for very different therapeutic applications.
That interdisciplinary and problem-solving aspect made the field extremely exciting for me.
Impact of mRNA vaccines and the future of nanoparticle therapeutics
The field of lipid and polymeric nanoparticle delivery has existed for decades. The first liposome technologies emerged in the 1960s, and one of the earliest FDA-approved nanoparticle-based drugs was Doxil in the 1990s.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented visibility to the field through mRNA vaccines. Lipid nanoparticles became critical delivery vehicles for mRNA therapeutics.
Although the success of mRNA vaccines appeared sudden to the public, researchers in the field knew that decades of foundational research had enabled those rapid developments.
I think that period demonstrated how fundamental research eventually translates into transformative technologies. It also motivated many scientists, including me, to further explore therapeutic delivery systems and nucleic acid therapeutics.
Current role in formulation science and drug delivery
After completing my PhD, I joined Silexion Therapeutics as a Scientist in the novel drug delivery and formulation group.
My role involves designing and optimizing nanoparticle-based formulations for therapeutic applications. A significant part of my work focuses on preclinical development, where we evaluate whether our formulations are viable using various in vitro systems and animal models before moving toward clinical translation.
As part of a startup environment, I spend considerable time working at the bench, troubleshooting experiments, and optimizing formulations. However, a large portion of my role also involves scientific communication and collaboration.
I work closely with analytical teams, preclinical scientists, and external CROs (Contract Research Organizations). Since startups typically operate with smaller teams and limited infrastructure, scientists often wear multiple hats and gain exposure to diverse aspects of drug development.
That flexibility and broad learning environment are some of the most exciting parts of working in a startup biotech company.
Challenges in nanoparticle-based therapeutics
One of the major challenges in nanoparticle-based drug delivery is translational consistency.
Very often, formulations that perform well in cell culture systems may not behave similarly in animal models. Likewise, results observed in small animal models may not fully translate into larger animals or humans.
This gap between in vitro and in vivo performance remains a major challenge across the field. That is also why technologies such as organoids and 3D tissue models are becoming increasingly important for predictive screening.
Another major challenge is biodistribution and toxicity. Nanoparticles need to reach the intended target tissue while minimizing off-target effects and immune responses. Designing targeted delivery systems remains an active area of research.
In nucleic acid therapeutics specifically, RNA delivery is comparatively easier than DNA delivery because DNA requires an additional transport step into the nucleus. These biological barriers create unique formulation challenges that researchers continue to address.
Research failures and learning from unexpected results
As scientists, failures are actually a routine part of research. Most experiments do not work exactly as expected, and that is completely normal.
There have been many instances where I expected one result but obtained something entirely different. However, those unexpected observations often become opportunities for new discoveries or innovations.
Science is fundamentally an iterative process — you learn from failures, redesign experiments, and gradually move toward better solutions.
Challenges of international scientific careers
Moving from India to the United States for higher education and research is a major transition, both professionally and personally.
Being away from family while managing academic pressure, career uncertainty, immigration challenges, and long-term planning can be extremely demanding. During the final stages of a PhD, students often simultaneously manage research, thesis writing, job applications, and visa-related concerns.
I think perseverance and resilience become extremely important during that phase.
Another thing I learned over time is the importance of identifying your own strengths and weaknesses early in your career. Once you understand what differentiates you, you can build your career more strategically while continuously improving weaker areas.
Importance of communication, mentorship, and networking
I strongly believe communication is one of the most important soft skills for scientists today. Scientific excellence alone is often not sufficient — you also need to communicate ideas effectively, collaborate with teams, and build professional relationships.
Mentorship also played a huge role in my journey. Throughout my academic and professional career, I benefited from guidance provided by multiple mentors who offered different perspectives and advice.
For students trying to navigate research careers independently, mentorship can be incredibly valuable in helping them make informed decisions and grow professionally.
Advice to aspiring scientists
One thing I would strongly encourage students to develop is curiosity. Science evolves rapidly, especially in emerging areas like nanomedicine and nucleic acid therapeutics.
You have to continuously learn, stay updated with literature, and remain adaptable. Every day brings new discoveries, new technologies, and new challenges.
Along with technical expertise, students should also focus on communication, networking, and self-awareness. Understanding your strengths and continuously improving yourself makes a huge difference in long-term career growth.
Dr. Subhadeep Dutta’s journey highlights how interdisciplinary research, perseverance, and continuous learning can create impactful careers in advanced therapeutics and drug delivery science. His story demonstrates the growing importance of nanoparticle technologies, translational research, and collaborative science in shaping the future of medicine.
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