Medicinal Chemistry Organic Chemistry Expert Witness

Background

Expert provides strategic and tactical organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, drug R&D and business development advice. Expert has over 25 years of successful R&D leadership experience in both large and small life science companies.

Professional Experience and Key Accomplishments

2004 – Present
President, A Corporation

Provide independent R&D consulting services for established and start-up biotech, pharma and diagnostic companies. Summary of Expertise: Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Preclinical Development, Process Development, Preformulation/Formulation, CMC support, Due Diligence, Patent Analysis, Outsourcing, etc.

2006 – 2008
Vice President, Research & Development, Medicure, Inc.
Medicure (AMEX: MCU, TSX: MPH) is a Canada based, vertically integrated pharmaceutical company focused on developing and marketing innovative medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases.
Reported to the CEO; executive officer for the company. Based in SF bay area, frequent travel to company HQ in Winnipeg.
Responsible for leading preclinical, process chemistry, formulations and development functions focused on anti-ischemics, anti-thrombotics and other cardiovascular and cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, obesity, inflammation).

2003 – 2004
Vice President, Research & Development, Managing Director
Reported to President of PETNET Division; responsible for Device, Software, Radiotracer and Diagnostic R&D and Business Development. Led integrated medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development as well as device (physics, microfluidics, hardware and software engineering) functions.
Served as President and Director for subsidiary, CTI Technologies, Inc.
Led R&D operations in Culver City, CA as well as groups in North Wales, PA and Knoxville, TN.
Initiated development of new PET (positron-emission tomography) radiotracers for imaging Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular disorders; managed multiple device, software and probe projects.

2000 ‘“ 2003
President and Chief Scientific Officer, Ceretek, LLC
Reported to the Board of Directors. Responsible for leading all R&D, Business Development and fundraising activities. Full P&L responsibilities.
Established and implemented the Company strategy of drug discovery and development targeting Lipid G-Protein Coupled Receptors (L-GPCRs) to identify novel therapeutics for cancer, immune, cardiovascular, ophthalmic and CNS disorders.
Developed business plan and raised over $4.5 million from venture capital and angel investors.
Negotiated sale of Ceretek IP and lead compounds to SRI International, Menlo Park, CA.

1997-2000
Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Also: Senior Director of Research, RiboGene, Director of Drug Discovery, RiboGene.
Reported to the Chairman, President and CEO of Questcor (AMEX: QSC); served on the executive management team.
Led RiboGene/Questcor antiinfective and cytoprotective discovery and preclinical research. Line management responsibility for biology, medicinal chemistry, informatics, screening and preclinical functions for the company.
Developed novel and successful antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral (Hepatitis C) programs certain of which are currently in preclinical or early clinical development.
Responsible for business development activities including M&A due-diligence, pharma partnerships and subsidiary formation
Participated in raising capital from venture rounds to completion of a $28M IPO (AMEX: RBO).

1990 ‘“ 1997
Director of Chemistry, Synaptic Pharmaceutical Corp.
Synaptic (NASDAQ: SNAP) was a public drug discovery & development company acquired by Lundbeck 3/03. Founded the Chemistry Department and led the drug design and synthesis efforts targeting multiple G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs).
Directed the chemistry effort for successful projects including: alpha 1a antagonist project targeting Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH); alpha 1 and alpha 2 agonist projects for urinary incontinence, pain and glaucoma; novel NPY5 antagonists for treating obesity.
Project team leader/member for collaborations with Merck, Novartis and other companies.
Participated in business development activities and raising capital from venture rounds to completion of a $27M IPO.

1989 ‘“ 1990
Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry, Allergan, Inc.

1984 ‘“ 1989
Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry, Allergan, Inc.
Exclusive focus on ophthalmic R&D. Initiated and led the medicinal chemistry effort focusing on the discovery of novel alpha 2 agonists for the treatment of glaucoma. Part of the project team that discovered Brimonidine, a novel alpha 2a selective agonist that is marketed as AlphaganTM for the treatment of glaucoma. Program is still ongoing.
Initiated the medicinal chemistry effort focusing on hypotensive lipids for the treatment of glaucoma. Part of the project team that discovered LumiganTM, a novel prostaglandin that is marketed for the treatment of glaucoma. Program is still ongoing.
Led medicinal chemistry and preclinical development effort on ophthalmic anti-inflammatory agents.

1983 ‘“ 1984
Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, Department of Chemistry. Focus: Synthesis of natural products such as Tirandamycic Acid and Taxol.

Education

1983
Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

1978
B.S., Chemistry, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ.

Activities & Awards

Available upon request.

Patents & Publications

Available upon request.

References

Available upon request.

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