Jordan Koehn: A Visionary in RNA-Targeted Therapeutics

Jordan Koehn, PhD, co-founded ForagR Medicines in 2024 alongside Kevin Weeks, PhD, and Andrea Epperly, PhD. ForagR Medicines represents a transformative step in biotechnology, focusing on advancing RNA-targeted small-molecule therapeutics that aim to enhance human health significantly. As the Head of Platform and Chemical Genomics, he leads the drug discovery efforts at ForagR, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to address some of the most complex health challenges through innovative RNA-ligand interactions.

A Biotechnology Innovator

Throughout his academic and professional journey, Jordan has remained committed to addressing unresolved challenges in human health through biotechnology. During his postdoctoral research under the mentorship of Dr. Kevin Weeks at the University of North Carolina (UNC), he developed the groundbreaking transcriptome-wide RNA-ligand discovery technology, which laid the foundation for ForagR's discovery platform. His work explored the intricate ways RNA structure influences biological processes, identifying and characterizing small molecules capable of modulating these RNA structures to serve as potential therapeutics.

Recognizing the therapeutic potential of RNA, Koehn identified RNA-targeted small molecules as a new class of medicines that could address diseases where traditional protein-targeted drugs fall short. With expertise spanning molecular biology, chemistry, RNA structural biology, and high-throughput genomics, he has developed innovative technologies that push the boundaries of RNA-targeted medicine.

Leading ForagR's Platform and Industry Collaboration

At ForagR Medicines, Jordan spearheads the development and execution of the RNA-targeting platform, leading a team of researchers dedicated to creating small molecules that modulate RNA structures. Under his leadership, ForagR has achieved significant progress in the design and application of RNA-targeted therapeutics. His expertise extends beyond pharmaceuticals; he has also overseen a successful collaboration with BASF Corporation, applying ForagR's platform to develop innovative insecticides and crop protection agents, showcasing the platform's versatility and impact across industries.

Academic and Professional Milestones

Jordan Koehn's academic foundation began with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, with a minor in Biology, from the University of Minnesota Morris. As an undergraduate, he engaged in diverse research, from the development of chiral ligands for asymmetric synthesis to the synthesis of transition-state analogs targeting tuberculosis enzymes. His early involvement in projects focused on renewable agricultural hydrocarbon fuels sparked his passion for combining chemistry and biology in ways that have the potential to improve human health.

Dr. Koehn pursued his PhD in Organic Chemistry at Colorado State University, where he worked under Dr. Debbie Crans. His doctoral research spanned several independent projects, including investigating electron transport lipids that influence the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and exploring vanadium(V) complexes as anti-cancer agents. These experiences enhanced his expertise in both chemical synthesis and model biological systems, laying the groundwork for his future research trajectory.

Postdoctoral Research and Training

In 2019, Jordan began his postdoctoral work at UNC Chapel Hill under the mentorship of Dr. Kevin Weeks. There, he applied 'omics technologies to investigate RNA function and developed methods to discover small molecules capable of modulating RNA biology. As an NIH Kirschstein Postdoctoral Fellow and a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Fellow, he expanded his research on RNA-targeted therapeutics, identifying key RNA motifs that could serve as optimal targets for drug development. His conceptual advances during this time are now central to the ForagR platform, which aims to revolutionize RNA-based medicine.

Recognitions and Funded Research

Koehn's research has received significant recognition through grants, awards, and collaborations. A notable achievement is his Sponsored Research Collaboration with BASF Corporation, funded at $450K, focused on developing RNA-based crop protection agents. Additionally, he was awarded an NIH NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship, supporting his work on bacterial RNA ligandability. His exceptional contributions were further recognized by several fellowships, including the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Fellowship, reflecting his excellence in cancer research and biotechnology.

Jordan has also been honored with numerous awards, including the Top Postdoc Poster Award at the UNC Lineberger Postdoc-Faculty Day and the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award at Colorado State University. His research achievements have earned him multiple accolades, underscoring his dedication and innovation in the field of biotechnology.

Scientific Contributions and Publications

Dr. Jordan Koehn has made significant contributions to scientific knowledge, with 18 publications to his name. His research spans several critical areas, including the modulation of RNA biology through small molecules, the role of electron transport lipids in Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis, and the development of cytotoxic vanadium metal complexes as potential cancer therapeutics. These publications highlight his deep expertise and commitment to advancing scientific understanding across diverse fields.

Some of his published work with co-authors includes: “Fingerprinting Tertiary Structure in Complex RNAs Using Single-molecule Correlated Chemical Probing,” “Innovations in Targeting RNA by Fragment-based Ligand Discovery,” “Electron Transport Lipids Fold within Membrane-like Interfaces,” “Investigating Substrate Analogs for Mycobacterial MenJ: Truncated and Partially Saturated Menaquinones,” “Synthesis and Characterization of Partially and Fully Saturated Menaquinone Derivatives,” “A Synthetic Isoprenoid Lipoquinone, Menaquinone-2, Adopts a Folded Conformation in Solution and at a Model Membrane Interface,” “Halogenated Non-innocent Vanadium(V) Schiff Base Complexes: Chemical and Anti-proliferative Properties,” “Vanadium Chloro-substituted Schiff Base Catecholate Complexes are Reducible, Lipophilic, Water Stable, and Have Anticancer Activities,” “Hydrophobicity May Enhance Membrane Affinity and Anti-Cancer Effects of Schiff Base Vanadium(V) Catecholate Complexes,” “A Short-lived but Highly Cytotoxic Vanadium(V) Complex as a Potential Drug Lead for Brain Cancer Treatment by Intratumoral Injections.”

Mentorship and Educational Impact

Jordan is passionate about mentoring emerging scientists and fostering a collaborative learning environment. Over the years, he has mentored more than 20 undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to receive awards and co-author publications. His dedication to teaching began during his PhD at Colorado State University, where he served as an instructor of Organic Chemistry, encouraging students to engage deeply with complex concepts. His commitment to education reflects his belief in nurturing the next generation of scientists to drive future innovation.

Service and Community Involvement

Beyond his scientific endeavors, Koehn has actively contributed to the broader scientific community. While at UNC, he served on the postdoc committee for the Integrated Training in Cancer Model Systems program, organizing study groups and conferences featuring prominent speakers in the field. He also played a vital role in the Annual Postdoc-Faculty Day, which brings together researchers and faculty members to share insights and foster collaboration.

Jordan's commitment to service extends into the community. He has supported initiatives such as the Round Up for Kids' Nutrition Education program and contributed to disaster relief efforts. At Colorado State University, he served as a judge for the Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity exposition, supporting young researchers in showcasing their work. Additionally, he has contributed to memorial scholarships for undergraduate research, further demonstrating his dedication to education and community engagement.

Personal Life and Values

Born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and raised in Willmar, Minnesota, Koehn developed a love for the outdoors from an early age. He spent much of his childhood exploring his family's 40-acre farm, where he cultivated a deep appreciation for nature. His upbringing, shaped by his father's discipline as a banker and veteran and his mother's artistic talent as a watercolorist and florist, instilled in him the values of hard work, creativity, and perseverance.

Since 2018, Dr. Jordan Koehn has made Durham, North Carolina, his home, where he and his wife recently welcomed their first child. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys fishing, gardening, snowmobiling, and exploring new places. His love for outdoor activities and culinary adventures reflects his desire to maintain a well-rounded life, balancing the demands of his career with time spent with family and nature.

Koehn's journey exemplifies a commitment to scientific innovation, education, and community service. As the co-founder of ForagR Medicines, his work promises to reshape the future of biotechnology through RNA-targeted therapeutics, addressing unmet needs in human health. His dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists and contributing to the community highlights his belief in the transformative power of education, service, and innovation.