I am a drug discovery and translational research executive with more than 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic translational research. Programs under my direction have advanced nine Investigational New Drug applications. I have held executive responsibility for multi-facility research operations exceeding 100 FTEs and $10M in annual budget, and have led or contributed to pipeline review, product and technology licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and startup creation. As Chief Translational Officer at Case Western Reserve University, I advise faculty on drug discovery strategy, translational development, industry partnering, and progression of academic discoveries toward clinical and commercial endpoints. I have collaborated with Dr. Drew Adams since his recruitment to CWRU in 2015, including regular strategic review of his XPO1 program. The program has advanced rapidly during the Falk Catalyst Award funding period, and its approach to modulating a validated therapeutic target creates promising opportunities for therapeutic development in immunology. For the proposed Falk Transformational Award, I will contribute drug discovery and translational development expertise by: (1) reviewing assay and structure-activity relationship data to ensure that the medicinal chemistry effort remains appropriately focused; (2) analyzing pharmacokinetic data to evaluate suitability for in vivo studies; (3) helping design and interpret studies that provide an early assessment of therapeutic index for leading SITAs; and (4) using my industry network to help position the program for partnering, licensing, or company-based clinical translation if the data support advancement.
01/2005 – 01/2008 •
Research
01/2001 – 01/2002 •
Research
Bristol-Myers Squibb (United States) •
01/1985 – 01/2001 •
Research