Pratima Cherukuri, is a scientific and strategic leader with more than 18 years of experience in viral vector development, manufacturing, and analytics for gene and cell therapies.

She currently serves as General Manager and Senior Vice President for the Plasmid Business at Bionova Scientific, where she is responsible for building and scaling plasmid DNA development and manufacturing operations to support the company’s expanding CDMO capabilities.

Previously, Pratima served as Chief Scientific Officer at Genezen, where she built Process Development (PD) and Analytical Development (AD) operations, oversaw CMC and tech transfer strategy, and guided multiple lentiviral (LVV) and retroviral (RVV) programs from early design through GMP production for Phase I/II trials. She also led the design of Genezen’s labs and GMP suites and established key licensing and technology partnerships.

Earlier in her career, she contributed to the Indiana University Vector Production Core, advancing scalable LVV processes and leading GMP RVV production, and held leadership roles at Covance (Labcorp) in assay validation and lab buildouts. She also leads JC Consulting, advising advanced therapy companies on viral vector strategy, PD/AD operations, and CMC readiness.