Constantly seeking to unleash the power of science-based progress to reimagine medicines & drive innovative technologies leading to longer, healthier lives and a more sustainable world. I never lose sight that diversity is the best ingredient in science, life, art & sport.BIOGRAPHY:With more than 25 years of experience in discovering best or first-in-class molecules and driving their transformation into disease-modifying medicines. Expertise in the discovery and engineering of peptide, protein, antibody, ADC, small molecule, T-cell engager, and oligonucleotide modalities as mono- or multi-specific hybrid therapeutic entities. Les spent two decades at Amgen Inc., where he played a key role as the leader and overarching scientific architect of Amgen’s hybrid modality department, fusing science and technology to build and nurture innovative teams and platforms to deliver impactful hybrid therapeutic candidates across metabolic disease, hematology/oncology, neurobiology, immunology and inflammation. He also worked on transforming molecules into medicines through leadership of Amgen’s Pre-Pivotal Attribute Sciences function, advancing >30 entities in Amgen’s polymodal portfolio from discovery stage technical-readiness assessment for candidate selection to >20 IND filings with the FDA. Therapeutic discovery highlights include: inventorship of MariTide (AMG 133), an anti-obesity bispecific currently in Phase 2 development; development of Amgen’s proprietary oligonucleotide platform and portfolio strategy culminating in the identification of multiple siRNA candidates and the pre-clinical acquisition of olpasiran (AMG 890), lipoprotein(a) targeting siRNA currently in Phase 3 development; and supporting the identification & development of marketed products, Parsabiv® (etelcalcetide), Aimovig® (erenumab) and Lumakras® (sotorasib). As an executive leader, experienced in facility and department management (>100 staff); career development of diverse staff; organizational transformation; early pipeline review; product & technology licensing; acquisitions; and venture investment opportunities. Earlier in his career, he served as Associate Director of technology development and portfolio advancement at Gryphon Therapeutics Inc. He obtained a doctorate in peptide & protein chemistry from the University of Queensland and is the recipient of the Australian Cornforth medal. Les was a postdoctoral fellow at the Carlsberg Laboratory with Professor Morten Meldal, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022.