Developed medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, research was also undertaken on delivering transformational pain therapeutics that are effective, safe, and non-addicting to address the unmet medical need in pain management. Generated and implemented new ideas for ion channel targets for treatment of cystic fibrosis and pain. Carried out lead optimization on several novel scaffolds and proposed new approaches to improving back up clinical candidates. Employed structure based drug design to improve profile of new clinical candidates and explore previously unknown binding modes. These new compounds addressed the issues with metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic profiles. Guided and managed full-time equivalents (FTEs) at different contract research organizations (CROs) to developed new chemistry ideas for SAR exploration and provide the team with needed materials for project progression. This work help resolve chemistry issues and progressed optimization of lead compounds to meet clinical candidate nomination.

Senior member of the Medicinal Chemistry and Structure Guided Chemistry groups. Advanced new scaffolds for GPCR targets using structure and ligand based drug design. Managed CROs for intermediate syntheses and designed innovative scaffolds/chemistries for synthesis of targeted and diverse libraries for PDE inhibitors. Developed and advanced several structurally distinct scaffolds for nociceptin opioid peptide receptor (NOP) antagonist program resulting in the nomination of development compounds. Independently envisioned and prepared a NOP antagonist backup compound with improved pharmacokinetic profile and solubility. This novel compound was the most efficacious in both in vitro and in vivo models. Chemistry lead for somatostatin receptor 4 (SSTR4) antagonist program. Worked with a multidisciplinary team to conceive novel ligands with strong IP, good pharmacokinetics, and improved selectivity. Proposed and progressed chemistry for new scaffolds for generation of leads for phosphodiesterase inhibitor programs. Designed focused and diverse libraries to have drug-like properties and CNS penetration. Prepared additional follow-up libraries to expand SAR and assist with lead optimization, which resulted in a back-up clinical candidate for the PDE1 program.

Designed and synthesized selective small molecule inhibitors of CK2 kinase and RNA polymerase I for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Carried out lead optimization on several novel heterocyclic series of highly potent, selective, and orally available inhibitors of CK2. Developed chemistry towards new scaffolds to improve compound selectivity and optimized pharmacokinetic properties of advanced lead candidates, which resulted in the nomination of a backup clinical candidate. Invented an entirely new set of scaffolds with good DMPK properties for the RNA polymerase I program which provided a candidate for in vivo animal models. Progressed several backup candidates to development compounds, which were profiled for the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Conducted research and advanced selective ligands for several GPCRs including Melanocortin receptor-4, Histamine H1 receptor, GPR119, as well as, Norepinephrine/Serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Consulted for off-project programs to assists with new ideas and optimization of advanced lead compounds. Advanced compounds to clinical candidates which resulted in partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies. Lead chemist in the GPR119 program that accomplished syntheses of compounds that displayed in vivo efficacy for glucose control in acute diabetic models and were profiled in further chronic studies and toxicological testing. Further lead optimization resulted in development and clinical candidate nomination which enabled a worldwide partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim. Developed novel bicyclic compounds as norepinephrine/serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of neuropathic pain leading to patent applications and publications. Independently researched, evaluated, and designed new chemistry for a series of novel ligands as histamine H1 antagonists resulting in compounds with improved CNS permeability and selectivity, which led directly to the nomination of a clinical candidate. Investigated chemistry for the preparation proprietary heterocyclic compounds leading to five structurally distinct series of human melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist and agonist programs. Succeeded in scale-up and process research to support multi-gram scale GLP synthesis of MC4 development candidates for toxicity and in vivo efficacy studies.

Investigated and designed new ligands for glucose recognition in a collaborative project between Minimed and Lawerence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Researched glucose binding and pH switching of phenoxazine boronate molecules using fluorescence spectroscopy. Implemented strategies for the synthesis and development of unique phenoxazine boronates for glucose recognition. The discovery of these novel compounds and achievement of promising results led to the increased funding for the collaborative effort. Served as liaison and conducted a joint research project between Minimed and LLNL under grants supported by the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) division of NIST. Provided reports needed to obtain government grants to support ongoing project and development of future studies.