Dennis Solas Email & Phone Number

San Francisco, CA, US

San Francisco, California, US

• Conducted drug discovery and synthesis of new and novel small heterocyclic molecules for use as antiviral drugs with special emphasis on HIV, ALS as well as Antimicrobials /Antibacterials. This work also included SAR.
• Developed a new synthetic approach for producing unsymmetrical phenothiazinium compounds found to have activity in several disease states.
• Discovered nitrogen based heterocyclic dimers useful against several forms of cancer and the chemistry used to produce them.

Investigated new and novel ways of sequestering CO2 for the production of organic/inorganic compounds.

Fremont, California, US

• Scaled up and synthesized multigram quantities of bioactive small organic compounds for use in upcoming clinical studies in connection with the analytical group.
• Successfully worked with PK/ADME group and analytical development to identify impurities and degradants ( via HPLC,LC/MS, NMR, IR etc.) in APIs and drug products as well as their synthesis. Such work on low level.
• Conducted in silico toxicity assessments (DEREK), and synthesized impurities and degradants for use as standards and for in vitro genetox studies.
• Participated in discussions with API CROs on steps to reduce impurities caused by intermediates i.e. dimer formation and contaminated starting materials.

Fremont, California, US

• Primarily involved with organic synthesis of drug and drug like compounds as well as investigation of novel drug delivery methods through vaporization to generate aerosols for inhalation. Other research areas include:
• Generated thermally reversible prodrugs of target drug molecules allowing for the volatilization of heat sensitive compounds
• Synthesized metabolites and thermal degradents (labeled and non-labeled forms i.e. Deuterium and 13C) of target drugs in house resulting in saving +$100,000 for the company by avoiding the use of outside contract labs
• Investigated and formulated various ignition mixtures for the initiation of fuels employed in drug volatilization resulting in the current inexpensive device design
• Successfully demonstrated novel methods for initiation of a large variety of thermitic fuel mixtures in drug heating platform resulting in reusable and environmentally friendly drug delivery devices
• Synthesized over 10 drugs, otherwise unobtainable, for vaporization studies resulting in expansion of the company’s deliverable drug portfolio

• Pro-drug modifications and Combinatorial library synthesis. Included:
• Modification of small to intermediate size molecules with multiple guanidines to effect transport across cell membranes
• Synthesize 100 charged prodrugs for use in transdermal prodrug electrotransport in collaboration with Alza to further both companies drug pipeline
• Developed 5’- modified nucleosides (photoactivatable protecting groups at the 5’ position) and the chemistry required for use in the synthesis of “DNA on chips” leading to the spin off company Affymetrix
• Synthesized new and novel photoprotecting groups for alcohols, amines, thiols, phenol and carboxylic acids leading to commercialization of same
• Adapted membrane technology and glass surfaces for the synthesis of peptides and small organic molecules using photolithography (VLSIPS technology) which vastly accelerated the company’s drug discovery via.

Phd, Organic Chemistry

Bs, Chemistry

Post Doctoral, Organic Chemistry / Synthetic Methodology