Richard Looby Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Us

• Synthesis, deprotection, purification, desalting and lyophilization of oligonucleotides to support projects in multiple disease areas• Operation and maintenance of automated Mermade synthesizer, AKTA purifiers, Waters RP HPLC and UPLCs and LC-MS• Adheres to laboratory safety regulations and PPE guidelines• Supports continuous improvement and innovations of existing technologies• Provides concise project updates in weekly meetings, serves as chemistry lead on Ophthalmology team• Maintains accurate ELN documentation of experiments performed• Authors process descriptions and development reports• Supervises three direct reports

• Synthesized sd-RNAi for discovery screening of internal targets towards the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics, primarily in the areas of dermatology and ophthalmology• Developed chemical and analytical methods for CMC section and developmental support for Samcyprone clinical program. Conducts stability profiles including serum/plasma extractions• Reviews batch records and conduct GMP site audits in collaboration with CMC consultant• Synthesized and evaluates formulations for transdermal delivery of sd-RNAi products, using Franz cell apparatus• Lead chemist at RXI Pharmaceuticals, experienced with Mermade synthesizer, AKTA HPLC, TFF, lc/ms and various analytical systems, Waters, Agilent, Varian, Shimadzu, etc.

• Start-up company• Brought laboratory instrumentation on-line• Designs and synthesizes peptides targeting collagen • Synthesizes ligand probes for attachment to peptides for MRI imaging

Salem, Massachusetts, Us

• Synthesizes and develops targeted molecular imaging probes, ligands and chelates• Designs and synthesizes chemical libraries of peptide-targeted imaging probes; conjugates MRI and/or PET imaging reporter to peptides• Analyzes structure-activity data and optimizes lead compounds• Develops chemical and analytical methods for chemistry manufacturing and controls section for IND submission.

• Promoted twice in 4 years• Accelerated Discovery programs through the design and implementation of a novel approach to the synthesis and purification of GPCR targeted compounds• Coordinated SAR discussions with multidisciplinary teams resulting in lead compounds with better affinity and pharmacological properties• Proposed novel approaches to peptide design, providing several MOI's• Saved financial resources and time with synthesis of comparator molecules• Led and coordinated alliance teams partnered with Johnson and Johnson -leading to milestone payment• Authored and initiated chemistry discussions with Scientific Advisory Board• Managed 3 CRO’s to supplement synthetic efforts• Negotiated contracts with CMO’s to synthesize API for in vivo studies, resulting in financial benefit • Built the laboratory from scratch providing high efficiency and quality to rapidly advance programs• High level contributor on Scientific Leadership Team

Lawrence Township, Nj, Us

Examples of small molecule chemistry performed: http://tinyurl.com/74z9oum• Designed and synthesized novel compounds targeting elastin-rich structures for MRI• Conceptualized and developed a 100g-scale alternative process for advanced intermediates in the lead vascular remodeling imaging (VRI) program• Developed scaleable synthesis for the nominated compound in the heart-failure program• Communicated with vendors for quotes for bulk synthesis of advanced intermediates• Synthesized sufficient quantities of drug candidates for in vivo studies• Performed SAR on lead candidates

Us

Senior Staff Scientist 2005-2006Staff Scientist II 2003-2005Staff Scientist I 2000-2003Senior Research Scientist 1997-2000• Promoted 3 times in 8 years• Developed synthesis leading to the pre-clinical candidate for collagen cardiac MR imaging• Facilitated the GMP synthesis of ATI-2104 the Thrombus project’s Phase I and Phase II material by coordinating the technical transfer to UCB Bioproducts in Belgium, delivering a scale-able process with dramatic overall yield improvement from 12% to 70% by eliminating one step and three purifications, simplifying the isolation• Coordinated the technical transfer of process and provided synthetic assistance to the CMO (UCB, Belgium) for the delivery of DP• Reviewed the batch records of cGMP manufacture of Drug Substances. • Authored a Development History Report, a supporting document for the CMC Section of the Thrombus MR imaging pharmaceutical IND.• Accelerated the Vasovist ™ second generation vascular imaging SAR study with the introduction of a novel salt ion-exchange cartridge for the isolation of compounds• Synthesized several hundred compounds for SAR analysis• Supervised 1 PhD and 2 BS/MS chemists• Received three CEO awards and multiple peer recognition awards

Staff Scientist 1994-1997Associate Scientist 1993-1994Senior Research Assistant 1991-1993 (DuPont Boston)Chemist 1989-1991 (DuPont Boston)• Synthesized API’s for SG380 used for the toxicological/clinical lot for the LTB4 Infection program. Eliminated a costly C18 purification with the discovery of a facile precipitation of the API.• Optimized the labeling conditions for DMP-444, a diagnostic clinical candidate for thrombus imaging• Directed a Quality Action Team for process improvements improving radiation safety and exposure during the synthesis and handling of radioactive pharmaceuticals and their byproducts. • Coordinated, directed and produced two safety videos (radiation and PPE) used for employee training.• Patent contributor for the Reconostat® thermocycler for the rapid reconstitution of Cardiolite®.• Developed and optimized all radiolabeling procedures as well as the corresponding rhenium analogues. • Guided and supervised two college co-op students for three years• Received 20 peer recognition awards• Initiated and implemented process improvements for the purification of 32P radio-oligonucleotides reducing exposure to the operator, resulting in a departmental award• Prepared, assembled and evaluated ISO 9000 documentation and certification• Maintained preparative HPLC, analytical HPLC and microbore HPLC systems• Performed Quality control testing of 32P labeled products

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Chemistry

Graduate Courses, Chemistry