Alice Loo Email & Phone Number

Basel, Baselstadt, Ch

 Lead global drug efficacy evaluations in PDX Mouse Trials: liaison across global Novartis Oncology pipeline project teams to prioritize relevant drug candidates for evaluation in diverse tumor types, optimize workflow & database management. Results enabled critical program decisions across Novartis pipeline. Lead pharmacologist on discovery and development of ribociclib (LEE011, CDK4/6 inhibitor): design & execute preclinical studies for optimization of clinical candidates including PK/PD, efficacy and safety pharmacology; rational drug combinations to enable clinical indication selection and expansions. Kisqali® received FDA approval in 2017. Lead pharmacologist on discovery and development of asciminib (ABL001, allosteric BCR-Abl inhibitor): PK/PD & efficacy studies in Ph+ leukemia; investigate scheduling strategies and mechanisms of resistance by DNA barcoding. Ascinimib received FDA approval in 2021. Lead pharmacologist for ONC gene therapy platform: coordinate across project teams and departments to optimize target selection and evaluate efficacy & safety of lead siRNAs in lipid nanoparticle formulations, design studies in orthotopic models to understand factors contributing to gene delivery including target tissue specificity and perfusion efficiency, design ex vivo assays to model transfection efficiency in vivo.  Pioneer pooled shRNA screening in vivo: evaluate feasibility of large-scale pooled shRNA screening in xenografts in vivo, rigorous experimental designs & data analyses enabled successful implementation of technology across entire Novartis Oncology organization for identification of novel targets as well as combination partners of current drugs. Initiate collaborations with bioinformatics colleagues and external partners: investigate clonal evolution in AML PDX models by WES and RNAseq, single cell sequencing to identify subclones involved in minimal residual disease, interrogate drug resistance mechanisms across MAPK pathway nodes.

Basel, Baselstadt, Ch

Boston, Ma, Us

* Oncology: Developed and validated animal models (ectopic and orthotopic xenografts, systemic leukemia and myeloproliferative diseases) with multiple readouts for efficient drug screening; Design and execute studies to validate mechanism of action; Conduct efficacy and PK/PD biomarker studies in relevant models; Bioluminescence imaging of various tumor models in mice * Neuroscience: Successfully proposed new project of neurodegenerative disease; Developed, characterized and screened drug compounds in in vitro primary neuronal and glial models of excitotoxicity and CNS inflammation; Evaluated target mechanism of action using adenovirus infection and siRNA in various neuronal & glial cell lines; Investigated various biomarkers in in vivo rat MCAO model of stroke with biochemical and immunohistochemical assays; Advised project team on behavioral studies conducted at CRO * Immunology: Developed and characterized host-versus-graft model in rat for screening of drug compounds for transplant indications; Developed and conducted efficacy studies in allergen-induced asthma model as well as LPS-induced inflammation model of COPD in rats

Lawrence Township, Nj, Us

* In vivo drug screening in animal model of Alzheimer’s Disease: performed small animal dosing and surgery, and immunoassays including Western blot and ELISA * Characterized and maintained several lines of transgenic mice: genotyping with PCR, immunohistochemistry and biochemical assays * Developed and ran behavioral protocols for cognition testing * Investigated various exploratory efforts: surgical model development including i.c.v. implantation and microinjection, protein characterization of novel targets * Collaborated with Pharmaceutics formulation and MAP in animal studies; liaison with EHS for lab safety inspections and regulations