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With over three decades of experience in artificial intelligence and knowledge management for target and drug discovery, Dr. Tudor I. Oprea is a digital drug hunter who proposed key concepts like ChemGPS, the "lead-like approach," systems chemical biology, and the knowledge-based classification of human proteins. His validated machine learning models encompass diseases, targets, and chemicals, with significant impact in disease and chemical biology. Oprea's drug discovery contributions include the co-discovery of the first GPER agonist (IND in 2019 and orphan drug designation in 2021), several GPER antagonists and GLUT transporter inhibitors. As LNS8801, the GPER agonist reached Phase 1/2 (NCT04130516) and Phase 2/3 (NCT06624644) for refractory melanoma. Two repurposed drugs he co-invented also reached clinical trials: Raltegravir (NCT01275183, for head and neck cancer) and R-Ketorolac (NCT01670799 & NCT02470299 for ovarian and Fallopian cancer). Following a six-year tenure at AstraZeneca Gothenburg, he held Professorship appointments at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and the Technical University of Denmark, and guest professorships at the Universities of Perugia, Copenhagen, and Gothenburg. Currently, he serves as the Chief AI Drug Discovery Officer at Dompé US in San Mateo CA, and Professor Emeritus at UNM School of Medicine. Dr. Oprea has co-authored over 400 publications and book chapters, holds 12 granted US patents, and served as the Principal Investigator for the NIH project "Illuminating the Druggable Genome Knowledge Management Center" from 2014 to 2022. This project resulted in the development of Pharos (pharos.nih.gov) and DrugCentral (drugcentral.org). Recipient of the Hansch Award in 2002 and the Fujita Award in 2026 (www.qsar.org). He continues to pursue his interest in machine learning and artificial intelligence for drug discovery, repurposing, and the study of disease and target biology.

Education

  • Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie Victor Babes din Timisoara
    Degree Ph.D.
    Field of Study Physiology
    Start Date 01/1990
    End Date 01/1992
  • Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie Victor Babes din Timisoara
    Degree M.D.
    Start Date 01/1984
    End Date 01/1990

Experience

ES

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Expert Systems Inc.

01/202301/2026

TU

Professor of Medicine and Chief, Translational Informatics Division

The University of New Mexico

01/201201/2022

Department of Internal Medicine

RS

Vice-President, Translational Informatics

Roivant Sciences Inc

01/202201/2022

Translational Informatics

UO

Professor and Chief, Division of Biocomputing

University of New Mexico

01/200201/2012

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

DI

Guest Professor

DTU Institut for Systembiologi

01/201001/2012

Systems Biology

AR

Associate Director

AstraZeneca R and D Mölndal

01/200001/2002

Enabling Science and Technologies

AR

Research Scientist

AstraZeneca R and D Mölndal

01/199601/2000

Medicinal Chemistry

LA

Postdoctoral Fellow

Los Alamos National Laboratory

01/199401/1996

Theoretical Biology Division, T-10

WU

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine

01/199201/1994

Center for Molecular Design

CN

Baccalaureate

Colegiul National Banatean

01/197901/1983

Tudor Oprea — Chief AI Drug Discovery Officer | PharmaCountry