Jordan Koehn

Jordan Koehn, PhD, and his colleagues launched ForagR Medicines in 2024, a groundbreaking biotech company dedicated to developing RNA-targeted, small-molecule therapeutics. As the Head of Platform and Chemical Genomics, he steers the company's drug discovery initiatives, transforming research into actionable treatments designed to significantly improve human health. Driven by a profound commitment to biotechnology, Koehn has devoted his academic and professional life to tackling some of the most daunting challenges in human health. His journey in this field gained a solid foundation during his postdoctoral tenure with a mentor at the University of North Carolina, where he pioneered the transcriptome-wide RNA-ligand discovery technology that ForagR Medicines now utilizes. This innovative technology allows researchers to understand how RNA structures influence biological functions. His findings include several novel RNA structures and regulatory elements, which he discovered by identifying small molecules interacting with RNA and modulating its function. Recognizing the potential of these interactions, Koehn has advocated for RNA as a viable target for therapeutic development, especially in cases where protein-targeting drugs are ineffective. His expertise spans small molecule synthesis, chemistry, molecular biology, RNA structural biology, and high-throughput chemical genomics. At ForagR Medicines, Koehn leads a dynamic team that leverages this platform technology to pioneer novel therapeutics. His leadership extends beyond the lab as he managed a significant collaborative project with BASF Corporation, focusing on applying ForagR technology in developing new insecticides and crop protection agents. Koehn's educational background is equally impressive. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, with a minor in Biology, at the University of Minnesota Morris.