Groundbreaking topical therapeutics designed by a proprietary AI algorithm that bypass the bloodstream and deliver effective therapeutics to the site of action while avoiding systemic exposure. The result: fundamentally better therapeutics without side effects or addiction risks.

Precision Therapy for Safer Healing

Clinical Breakthrough


Novilla’s first drug candidate designed by our proprietary AI Algorithim, NOV-1776, recently finished human clinical trials showing a 212% increase in efficacy over the standard of care with <1% systemic exposure and 0% GI AEs

Our Company

Harnessing chemical thermodynamic machine learning algorithms to design topical therapeutics that administer efficacious drugs using a unique delivery mechanism.


Our team of pioneers in pain therapeutics, innovators in chemical thermodynamics and experts in rational formulation design unite decades of innovation across pain medicine, chemistry, and AI drug development. Together with specialists in regulatory strategy and translational research, we're creating a new class of targeted therapies—designed to act precisely where needed, without exposing the rest of the body.

Leadership Team

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Dr. Shashi Kori

Dr. Shashi Kori is a Neurologist and Neuro-Oncologist with 22 years of research and teaching experience . He served as a founder and director at major universities such as USF and Duke University. With over 2 decades of experience in the drug development industry including GSK, Allergan, and MAP Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Kori brings a wealth of knowledge for medicine and the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Tracey Rapp

Dr. Rapp received her B.S in Chemistry from Purdue, M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Michigan, Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Michigan, and her M.S. in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs from Temple University. With over 20 years of experience including 18 years at Pfizer and various small biotechs, Dr. Rapp brings an impressive knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry- from GxP work to in vivo, in vitro and clinicals.

Ajay Kori

Ajay is an entrepreneur with a history of solving big problems with novel solutions. Prior to founding Novilla, Ajay founded UrbanStems, Allay Lamp, Autodream and served as an Associate Director of Pet Meds heading the team launching Amazon’s first ever online pet pharmacy. Ajay obtained his BS in Chemistry from Duke University before attending Harvard Business School for his MBA.

Our Approach

Novilla’s AI workflow optimizes the chemical thermodynamic to minimize the concentration of drug in our formulation while maximizing absorption to local tissues, thus creating a safer and more effective treatment.

  • Machine learning screening models API’s with various chemicals to determine a compatible and thermodynamically favorable formulation

  • Scientists optimize the formulation and test the permeability using a Franz Cell diffusion apparatus. The concentration of the drug is determined via LC quantification methods

  • The formulation is tested first in animals then humans to determine the efficacy of topical treatment for the given indication.