I have been actively engaged in drug discovery research for more than 50 years as both a laboratory scientist and scientific manager, with expertise spanning medicinal chemistry and computational chemistry. As a laboratory scientist, I developed proficiency in all facets of medicinal chemistry, including formulation, ADME, and toxicology, demonstrated in 43 peer-reviewed scientific publications and over 75 issued U.S. patents. My patents and publications describe molecules that underwent clinical evaluation by Eli Lilly & Company, including antiviral drugs enviroxime and enviradene, the immunosuppressant frentizole, the cancer drug tasisulam, and the antifungal agricultural product BEAM. I also contributed to the development of the Apexian compound APX3330, which completed a successful Phase I clinical trial and is now proceeding to a Phase III trial in diabetic retinopathy.
As a computational scientist, I led a group of experts who pioneered techniques benefiting drug discovery, implemented globally at Eli Lilly. These methods, including neural networks, machine learning, genetic algorithms, and natural language interface, serve as the foundation for current computational approaches in drug discovery. As a scientific manager, I led a large group of computational and structural biology scientists in successful drug discovery efforts and published findings on a broad range of topics. I served as founder and chief technology officer of a technology company in Cambridge, Mass., and currently, I am head of research and development at Apexian Pharmaceuticals and founder of Pisces Therapeutics, LLC.
I have collaborated with Dr. Mark Kelley for more than 10 years on various projects, both academically and through Apexian Pharmaceuticals. I consult and collaborate with leaders and members of the Clinical Pharmacology and Analytical Core (CPAC) to develop new methods for drug discovery success, using in silico modeling combined with biological studies. Additionally, I am a consultant for the Cancer Drug Discovery and Development Accelerator (CD3A), interacting with IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers on various projects in my medicinal and computational chemistry roles.
Key Milestone Expertise in Drug Discovery & Development:
- Hit Identification
- Lead Identification
- Lead Optimization
- Predevelopment (candidate selection)
- IND enabling
