Los Angeles — Niagen Bioscience has appointed Abhijit Kale, Ph.D., Senior Director of Global External Research, effective July 20.
Kale will lead the company’s Global Niagen Research Program, overseeing its network of academic and clinical research collaborations and helping shape its scientific research strategy.
He will work with investigators to advance research into NAD+ biology, healthy aging and age-related health.
“Science informs our strategy and our messaging, not the other way around,” said Rob Fried, Chief Executive Officer of Niagen Bioscience. “We are excited for Abhijit to help deepen our collaborations with leading researchers worldwide and further advance our understanding of the fascinating science of NAD+.”
Kale brings more than a decade of experience in aging biology, translational science and external scientific partnerships.
He most recently served as a Scientific Review Officer at Hevolution Foundation, where he evaluated more than 600 research proposals and helped develop funding recommendations for a $1 billion global longevity research portfolio.
Kale previously held scientific leadership positions at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Deciduous Therapeutics and LevitasBio. His work included collaborations with academic institutions, biotechnology companies, contract research organizations and nonprofit research groups.
He earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has authored 16 publications, including research on NAD+ biology and aging.
“Scientific discovery has always been driven by collaboration,” said Abhijit Kale, Ph.D., Senior Director of Global External Research at Niagen Bioscience. “Niagen Bioscience has built an exceptional global research ecosystem, and I am excited to work alongside leading investigators to expand our understanding of NAD+ biology and help translate groundbreaking science into meaningful advances for human health.”
The Niagen Research Program supports independent preclinical and clinical research involving Niagen, the company’s patented nicotinamide riboside ingredient.
Researchers from institutions including Mayo Clinic, the National Institutes of Health, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Cambridge have participated in the program.
Niagen Bioscience said the initiative provides food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade Niagen materials, scientific collaboration and technical support. It currently supports more than 175 ongoing and developing studies.
More than 45 peer-reviewed clinical studies involving Niagen have been published, according to the company, with more than 90% conducted independently.
Research conducted through the program has examined healthy aging, metabolism, mitochondrial function, cognitive and cardiovascular health, inflammation, rare diseases and other areas connected to NAD+ biology.
Under Kale’s leadership, Niagen Bioscience plans to expand the program into emerging research areas, including pharmaceutical-grade Niagen injections and infusions, topical applications and studies of other NAD+ precursors.
