Robert Townsend Email & Phone Number

North Chicago, Illinois, Us

Boston, Massachusetts, Us

Our mission is to understand the underlying pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases via application of translational research to identify and validate differentiated therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmunity and inflammatory disorders, including agents with the potential to reinstate immune tolerance. Oversaw new target identification, validation and entry into the discovery portfolio from concept generation through hit discovery, optimization and into clinical development. Facilitate bidirectional translational research by developing biological assays relevant to human autoimmune diseases using immune cells derived from well-characterized patient cohorts to facilitate translational research. Identify patient subsets based on molecular profile and map portfolio assets to these patient subsets implementing sophisticated biomarker approaches. Generate data to inform the clinical biomarker strategy by implementing and executing biomarker identification studies which enable target engagement, pharmacodynamic and patient selection approaches for clinical trials.

Lawrence Township, Nj, Us

Developed and implemented translational strategies for the identification and evaluation of clinical biomarkers across the discovery and development portfolio. Primary focus in the Immunology therapeutic area but have also led the clinical biomarker strategies for the Virology and Fibrosis therapeutic areas. In these leadership roles, was responsible and accountable for the development and clinical implementation of assays to measure the pharmacodynamic properties and mechanism of action of immune-modulating compounds in the clinic. Collaborated with clinical colleagues to perform molecular profiling of patients enrolled in clinical trials for markers predictive of outcome, disease progression and response to treatment with immune modulating, anti-viral and anti-fibrotic therapeutics. Responsible for the integration of scientific learnings and clinical biomarker data to define targeted patient populations and enable selection of potential diagnostic platforms. Have also provided leadership of the clinical flow cytometry team for BMS.

Lawrence Township, Nj, Us

Lawrence Township, Nj, Us

Lawrence Township, Nj, Us

Researched and developed novel immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory compounds as inhibitors of the immune responses underlying rheumatoid arthritis, graft rejection following solid organ transplantation, and other autoimmune diseases. In vivo and in vitro testing of these novel compounds in animal models of immune response, inflammation, transplantation, and arthritis was the primary focus of our research. Managed a team of four skilled scientist who perform both in vitro cellular immune response experiments as well as challenging surgical and non-surgical in vivo animal models of immune diseases.

Lawrence Township, Nj, Us

Investigated the cellular and molecular basis of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of leukemia. The nature of the T cell and antigen interactions involved in the immune responses against the leukemia and also against the host has been the focus of the basic research. The development and implementation of novel peptide-based strategies for the prevention of autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, lymphoma, and graft-vs-host disease has been the focus of the applied research.

Research conducted in the Inflammatory Diseases research team identifying the mechanism of action of Brequinar sodium, a novel immunosuppressive agent, and other potentially novel immunosuppressive compounds. Studies evaluated the effects of these compounds both in vitro and in vivo on human and murine immune responses to various stimuli.

Research conducted in the Cellular Immunotherapy research team manipulating human lymphocyte populations ex vivo for the treatment of cancer and AIDS patients. Studies evaluated the effects of cytokines and other agents on the expansion and differentiation of potential anti-cancer or anti-HIV effector cell populations.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Immunology

Bachelor’S Degree, Biology And Anthropology