Led 800 scientists across Europe and the US working in Medicinal Chemistry, Discovery Technologies, Process Research and Formulation. Oversaw the development of Small Molecule Research's mid- and long-term vision and strategy and guided the group as it applied novel technologies to develop world-class compounds.

Led operations of global firm that is focused on commercialization of its proprietary Capture Compound Mass Spectrometry™ (CCMS) technology to identify functional sub-proteomes and drug-specific proteomes (“on-target” proteins, mechanisms of action and “off-target” proteins, cause of toxicities).* Championed creation of focused collaboration portfolio to apply caprotec’s proteomics platform (CCMS) with industry and academic partners. * Developed and implemented strategy for generation of stronger and risk-balanced caprotec-owned in-house program pipeline with higher POS (initially neuroscience, with anticipated expansion to other therapeutic areas).

Established comprehensive $260M drug discovery organization of ~1000 scientists from Target to Preclinical Candidate in Neuroscience, Infectious Disease, & Endocrinology. Developed/implemented multi-modality research engine consisting of biologics, small molecules, vaccines, & RNA interference molecules. * Improved quality (i.e., safety, efficacy) & POS (Probability of Success) of research pipeline by piloting powerful stage-gates for each milestone. Based on effectiveness of stage-gate process in West Point, shared best practice with peers at Global Research Coordinating Committee.* Positioned Merck for market success by embracing scientific excellence and innovation, top grading staff, & expanding modality portfolio... Championed creation of quality-driven biologics organization by hiring key talent and leaders from biotech industry, implementing state-of-the-art processes, and integrating two acquisitions... Created high performing organization committed to execution excellence. Ensured best placement of strong performers (downsized by 10%) & established collaborative & empowering culture. * Provided multi-national, multi-organizational drug discovery perspective and expertise to Basic Research Global Operating Strategy (BRGOS) Working Group. Completed current state review, scenario planning, and business case development & implemented BRGOS.* Forged new partnerships internally and with leading external research entities to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness and to promote and sustain Merck’s reputation as a scientific leader and innovator... Achieved strategic / operational alignment between franchise and functional area by introducing program prioritization process. Reduced cycle time in lead optimization by 15%... Built collaboration network with preclinical & clinical development functions. Involved them earlier in research programs to address critical issues & generate more powerful synergies between functions.

Led Research and Preclinical Development organization of 1500 (from target identification until clinical Phase I) with €300M annual budget for global €5B pharmaceuticals company. Oversaw corporate Human Resources function, including negotiating contracts and agreements with unions. * Ensured balanced and sustainable pipeline by achieving four new Phase I programs (Dermatology: SEGRM, Oncology: CDK2 inhibitor, Gynecology: ERß-agonist, and Diagnostics: Paccocath), and one new Phase II program (Gynecology: CCR1-antagonist).* Managed post-merger organizational transition through active participation on early integration team. Led numerous integration and town hall meetings to ensure that productivity level remained high.* Developed new global organizational design (prior to merger) to increase efficiency by reducing redundancies. Successfully presented concept post-merger and it was subsequently implemented by Bayer Schering.

Asked to create unified Basic Research Center that integrated previously-solo teams in Oncology, Inflammation, Gynecology / Andrology, and Diagnostics. Established modern, state-of-the-art and competitive technology platforms for small molecule and biologics that consolidated support functions and accelerated drug discovery. * Developed and successfully implemented structured process that allowed more efficient use of resources and reduction of overall drug discovery time from target to preclinical candidate by six months based on extensive resource / productivity analysis. * Built high performing organization by investing into sustained team building of senior leadership team followed by cascading leading principles into entire organization. Resulted into seamless alignment between senior and next level leadership that became role model for successful team building company-wide.* Introduced process for across-therapeutic area program prioritization and subsequent resource allocation that reflected company’s portfolio objectives. Aligned therapeutic areas and functions towards one common productivity and quality goal.

Ran all operating, strategic, and scientific aspects of Medicinal Chemistry department in Oncology, Dermatology, Neuroscience, Diagnostics, and Gynecology / Andrology areas. Completely rebuilt and modernized organization by exchanging composition of leadership team, by implementing new processes, and by introducing new technologies.* Drove establishment of highly-automated approach in combinatorial chemistry by hiring experienced talent and investing aggressively into modern laboratory equipment. Expedited creation of focused small molecule libraries (10,000 – 15,000). * Encouraged and supported development of two highly-innovative, industry-leading approaches in oncology research which led to Phase III programs for PTK inhibitor and synthetic epothilone derivative ZK-Epo.

Built and led function as member of corporate research management board. Established and headed global Novartis Chemistry Council that tackled all operating and strategic aspects in chemistry of $44B pharmaceutical company. * Unified and aligned chemistry communities of pre-merger companies (Sandoz and Ciba) by establishing and implementing common strategy in chemistry and by ‘walking talk’ in chemistry council meetings and town hall meetings at different research sites.* Collaborated effectively with other senior scientific experts in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology which helped to remove silos between different scientific disciplines and facilitated development of holistic drug discovery approach in company.

Sandoz, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland

Sabbatical, Professor Paul A. Bartlett, University of California at Berkeley, CA

Sandoz, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland

Sandoz, Ltd, Basel, Switzerland

under Professor David Evans, Department of Chemistry