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Scientist Profile

Bruce Roth

Vice President, Discovery Chemistry
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"It is my desire to build a world-class discovery chemistry department that enables Genentech to help as many patients as possible."
 

I joined Genentech in May 2007 to lead the Small Molecule Discovery Chemistry Department after 25 years at the Pfizer Ann Arbor site, the last seven as Vice President of Chemistry. I was attracted to Genentech because of its rich culture of scientific excellence and dedication to innovative, ground-breaking research driven by the needs of patients.

What I have seen at Genentech during my short tenure is a real commitment to discovering and developing therapies for difficult, life-threatening diseases where medical need is high and often patients are desperate for new medical advances. This commitment is a distinguishing feature that attracted me to Genentech.

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My Focus

I'm inspired by all the patients who have benefited from the outstanding work we do in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry. And I've come to realize that patients are waiting, often desperately, for the hope brought by new drug therapies, and that our efforts really can make a difference in the lives of patients.

 
Publications & Recognition
  • The convergent synthesis of CI-981, an optically active, highly potent, tissue selective inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.
  • Tetrahedron Lett 1992; 33: 2283-4.
  • Baumann KL, Butler DE, Deering CF, Mennen KE, Millar A, Nanninga TN, Palmer CW, Roth BD.
  • The synthesis of (4R-Cis)-1, 1-dimethylethyl, 6-cyanomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3- dioxane-4-acetate, a key intermediate for the preparation of CI-981, a highly potent, tissue selective inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.
  • Tetrahedron Lett 1992; 33: 2279-82.
  • Brower PL, Butler DE, Deering CF, Le TV, Millar A, Nanninga TN, Roth BD.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. 3. Tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-[2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)ethyl]-2H-pyran-2-one inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase. 2. Effects of introducing substituents at positions three and four of the pyrrole nucleus.
  • J Med Chem 1991 Jan; 34(1): 357-66.
  • Roth BD, Blankley CJ, Chucholowski AW, Ferguson E, Hoefle ML, Ortwine DF, Newton RS, Sekerke CS, Sliskovic DR, Stratton CD, et al.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
 
View All Publications & Recognition
 
  • Pfizer Global Research and Development
  • Vice President, Chemistry
  • 2000-2007
  • Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Research
  • Senior Director, Atherosclerosis, Inflammation and Exploratory Chemistry
  • 1993-1999
  • Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Research
  • Director, Atherosclerosis and Exploratory Chemistry
  • 1990-1993
  • Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Research
  • Senior Research Associate
  • 1988-1990
  • Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Research
  • Research Associate
  • 1986-1988
  • Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Research
  • Senior Scientist
  • 1984-1986
  • Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Research
  • Scientist
  • 1982-1984
  • University of Rochester
  • Postdoctoral Fellow
  • 1981-1982
  • Iowa State University
  • Ph.D.
  • 1976-1981
  • St. Joseph's College
  • BS
  • 1972-1976
Publications & Recognition
  • The convergent synthesis of CI-981, an optically active, highly potent, tissue selective inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.
  • Tetrahedron Lett 1992; 33: 2283-4.
  • Baumann KL, Butler DE, Deering CF, Mennen KE, Millar A, Nanninga TN, Palmer CW, Roth BD.
  • The synthesis of (4R-Cis)-1, 1-dimethylethyl, 6-cyanomethyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3- dioxane-4-acetate, a key intermediate for the preparation of CI-981, a highly potent, tissue selective inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.
  • Tetrahedron Lett 1992; 33: 2279-82.
  • Brower PL, Butler DE, Deering CF, Le TV, Millar A, Nanninga TN, Roth BD.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. 3. Tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-[2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)ethyl]-2H-pyran-2-one inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase. 2. Effects of introducing substituents at positions three and four of the pyrrole nucleus.
  • J Med Chem 1991 Jan; 34(1): 357-66.
  • Roth BD, Blankley CJ, Chucholowski AW, Ferguson E, Hoefle ML, Ortwine DF, Newton RS, Sekerke CS, Sliskovic DR, Stratton CD, et al.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Relationship between tissue selectivity and lipophilicity for inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase.
  • J Med Chem 1991 Jan; 34(1): 463-6.
  • Roth BD, Bocan TM, Blankley CJ, Chucholowski AW, Creger PL, Creswell MW, Ferguson E, Newton RS, O'Brien P, Picard JA, et al.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Hep-G2 cells and primary rat hepatocytes differ in their response to inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase.
  • Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1990 Jul 31; 170(2): 726-34.
  • Shaw MK, Newton RS, Sliskovic DR, Roth BD, Ferguson E, Krause BR.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. 1. trans-6-(2-pyrrol-1-ylethyl)-4-hydroxypyran-2-ones, a novel series of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. 1. Effects of structural modifications at the 2- and 5-positions of the pyrrole nucleus.
  • J Med Chem 1990 Jan; 33(1): 21-31.
  • Roth BD, Ortwine DF, Hoefle ML, Stratton CD, Sliskovic DR, Wilson MW, Newton RS.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis. 2. 1,3,5-trisubstituted [2-(tetrahydro-4- hydroxy-2-oxopyran-6-yl)ethyl]pyrazoles.
  • J Med Chem 1990 Jan; 33(1): 31-8.
  • Sliskovic DR, Roth BD, Wilson MW, Hoefle ML, Newton RS.
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Facile, palladium (II)- mediated synthesis of bridged and spirocyclic bicycloalkenones.
  • J Am Chem Soc 1982; 104: 1784-5.
  • Kende AS, Roth B, Sanfilippo PJ.
  • Mechanism and regioisomeric control in palladium (II) - mediated cycloalkenylations. A novel total synthesis of (+/-)-quadrone.
  • J Am Chem Soc 1982; 104: 5808-10.
  • Kende AS, Roth B, Sanfilippo PJ, Blacklock TJ.
  • Synthesis of a chiral synthon for the lactone portion of compactin and mevinolin.
  • Tetrahedron Lett 1988; 29: 1255-8.
  • Roth BD, Roark WH.
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Awards & Honors
  • Heroes of Chemistry Honoree 2008
  • Pfizer Global Research and Development Achievement Award 2006
  • Iowa State University Distinguished Alumni Award 2005
  • Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Service 2003
  • American Chemical Society Award for Creative Invention 2003
  • New York Intellectual Property Law Association Inventor of the Year Award 1999
  • Warner-Lambert Chairman's Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award for the Discovery and Development of Lipitor® 1997

Bruce Roth, Senior Scientist and Alex Avardo, Receipent of Free Medicine From the Genentech® Access to Care Foundation, on the cover of Genentech's 2006 Annual Report.