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Scientist Profile

Wendy Young

Associate Director: Discovery Chemistry
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"We all know friends and family members that have suffered with serious illness. It can be devastating. My goal is to discover agents that will treat these patients. Alongside my colleagues at Genentech, I know we can make a difference."
 

I joined Genentech in 2006 as an Associate Director of Discovery Chemistry. In this role, I manage a team of medicinal chemists who are working to discover and develop novel small molecule drugs for a variety of oncology and immunology disease indications.

I was drawn to join Genentech because of its reputation for doing excellent science and employing strong teamwork. Teams are the focal point at Genentech. All scientists are members of interdisciplinary project teams, which include colleagues from discovery chemistry, biology, pharmacology, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, computational chemistry, crystallography, and process development. The project team collectively puts the pieces of the puzzle together, relying on each others' expertise, to make the best drug candidate possible.

At Genentech, any team member with a compelling idea has a chance to be heard and get the resources to move their idea forward. It is not a hierarchical organization and everyone has a voice. The organization is also very nimble and open-minded to incorporate processes that keep things moving. The motto "patients are waiting" hits home with everyone.

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My Focus

I am team leader of a project working to discover orally bioavailable agents to treat inflammatory diseases. As of yet, no one has brought forth a drug that works against this unexploited target. The opportunity to bring forth a "first-in-class" drug to treat unmet medical needs is incredibly exciting and motivating.

 
Publications & Recognition
  • Novel 5-azaindole factor VIIa inhibitors
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Jun 15; 16(12): 3197-200
  • Riggs JR, Hu H, Kolesnikov A, Leahy EM, Wesson KE, Shrader WD, Vijaykumar D, Wahl TA, Tong Z, Sprengeler PA, Green MJ, Yu C, Katz BA, Sanford E, Nguyen M, Cabuslay R, Young WB
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Discovery of novel hydroxy pyrazole based factor IXa inhibitor
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 May 15; 16(10): 2796-9
  • Vijaykumar D, Sprengeler PA, Shaghafi M, Spencer JR, Katz BA, Yu C, Rai R, Young WB, Schultz B, Janc J
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Factor VIIa inhibitors: improved pharmacokinetic parameters
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Apr 15; 16(8): 2243-6
  • Kolesnikov A, Rai R, Young WB, Mordenti J, Liu L, Torkelson S, Shrader WD, Leahy EM, Hu H, Gjerstad E, Janc J, Katz BA, Sprengeler PA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
 
View All Publications & Recognition
 
  • Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, American Cancer Society
  • Postdoctoral Fellow
  • 1993-1995
  • Princeton University
  • Ph.D. Chemistry
  • 1993
  • Wake Forest University
  • B.A./M.S. Chemistry, cum laude
  • 1988
Publications & Recognition
  • Novel 5-azaindole factor VIIa inhibitors
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Jun 15; 16(12): 3197-200
  • Riggs JR, Hu H, Kolesnikov A, Leahy EM, Wesson KE, Shrader WD, Vijaykumar D, Wahl TA, Tong Z, Sprengeler PA, Green MJ, Yu C, Katz BA, Sanford E, Nguyen M, Cabuslay R, Young WB
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Discovery of novel hydroxy pyrazole based factor IXa inhibitor
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 May 15; 16(10): 2796-9
  • Vijaykumar D, Sprengeler PA, Shaghafi M, Spencer JR, Katz BA, Yu C, Rai R, Young WB, Schultz B, Janc J
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Factor VIIa inhibitors: improved pharmacokinetic parameters
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Apr 15; 16(8): 2243-6
  • Kolesnikov A, Rai R, Young WB, Mordenti J, Liu L, Torkelson S, Shrader WD, Leahy EM, Hu H, Gjerstad E, Janc J, Katz BA, Sprengeler PA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Discovery of novel heterocyclic factor VIIa inhibitors
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Apr 15; 16(8): 2270-3
  • Rai R, Kolesnikov A, Sprengeler PA, Torkelson S, Ton T, Katz BA, Yu C, Hendrix J, Shrader WD, Stephens R, Cabuslay R, Sanford E, Young WB
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Factor VIIa inhibitors: a prodrug strategy to improve oral bioavailability
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Apr 15; 16(8): 2224-8
  • Riggs JR, Kolesnikov A, Hendrix J, Young WB, Shrader WD, Vijaykumar D, Stephens R, Liu L, Pan L, Mordenti J, Green MJ, Sukbuntherng J
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Factor VIIa inhibitors: chemical optimization, preclinical pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy in an arterial baboon thrombosis model
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Apr 1; 16(7): 2037-41
  • Young WB, Mordenti J, Torkelson S, Shrader WD, Kolesnikov A, Rai R, Liu L, Hu H, Leahy EM, Green MJ, Sprengeler PA, Katz BA, Yu C, Janc JW, Elrod KC, Marzec UM, Hanson SR
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Small molecule inhibitors of plasma kallikrein
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Apr 1; 16(7): 2034-6
  • Young WB, Rai R, Shrader WD, Burgess-Henry J, Hu H, Elrod KC, Sprengeler PA, Katz BA, Sukbuntherng J, Mordenti J
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Factor VIIa inhibitors: gaining selectivity within the trypsin family
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Mar 15; 16(6): 1596-600
  • Shrader WD, Kolesnikov A, Burgess-Henry J, Rai R, Hendrix J, Hu H, Torkelson S, Ton T, Young WB, Katz BA, Yu C, Tang J, Cabuslay R, Sanford E, Janc JW, Sprengeler PA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Generation of potent coagulation protease inhibitors utilizing zinc-mediated chelation
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2006 Feb; 16(3): 710-3
  • Young WB, Sprengeler P, Shrader WD, Li Y, Rai R, Verner E, Jenkins T, Fatheree P, Kolesnikov A, Janc JW, Cregar L, Elrod K, Katz B
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Expression, crystallization, and three-dimensional structure of the catalytic domain of human plasma kallikrein
  • J Biol Chem 2005 Dec 9; 280(49): 41077-89
  • Tang J, Yu CL, Williams SR, Springman E, Jeffery D, Sprengeler PA, Estevez A, Sampang J, Shrader W, Spencer J, Young W, McGrath M, Katz BA
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Dissecting and designing inhibitor selectivity determinants at the S1 site using an artificial Ala190 protease (Ala190 uPA)
  • J Mol Biol 2004 Nov 19; 344(2): 527-47
  • Katz BA, Luong C, Ho JD, Somoza JR, Gjerstad E, Tang J, Williams SR, Verner E, Mackman RL, Young WB, Sprengeler PA, Chan H, Mortara K, Janc JW, McGrath ME
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • In vitro intestinal permeability of factor Xa inhibitors: influence of chemical structure on passive transport and susceptibility to efflux
  • Pharm Res 2001 Dec; 18(12): 1735-41
  • Schipper NG, Osterberg T, Wrange U, Westberg C, Sokolowski A, Rai R, Young W, Sjostrom B
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Neutral inhibitors of the serine protease factor Xa
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2001 Jul 23; 11(14): 1801-4
  • Shrader WD, Young WB, Sprengeler PA, Sangalang JC, Elrod K, Carr G
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Development of potent and selective factor Xa inhibitors
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2001 Jul 23; 11(14): 1797-800
  • Rai R, Kolesnikov A, Li Y, Young WB, Leahy E, Sprengeler PA, Verner E, Shrader WD, Burgess-Henry J, Sangalang JC, Allen D, Chen X, Katz BA, Luong C, Elrod K, Cregar L
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Optimization of a screening lead for factor VIIa/TF
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2001 Sep 3; 11(17): 2253-6
  • Young WB, Kolesnikov A, Rai R, Sprengeler PA, Leahy EM, Shrader WD, Sangalang J, Burgess-Henry J, Spencer J, Elrod K, Cregar L
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Development of serine protease inhibitors displaying a multicentered short (<2.3 A) hydrogen bond binding mode: inhibitors of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and factor Xa
  • J Med Chem 2001 Aug 16; 44(17): 2753-71
  • Verner E, Katz BA, Spencer JR, Allen D, Hataye J, Hruzewicz W, Hui HC, Kolesnikov A, Li Y, Luong C, Martelli A, Radika K, Rai R, She M, Shrader W, Sprengeler PA, Trapp S, Wang J, Young WB, Mackman RL
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • A novel serine protease inhibition motif involving a multi-centered short hydrogen bonding network at the active site
  • J Mol Biol 2001 Apr 13;307(5):1451-86
  • Katz BA, Elrod K, Luong C, Rice MJ, Mackman RL, Sprengeler PA, Spencer J, Hataye J, Janc J, Link J, Litvak J, Rai R, Rice K, Sideris S, Verner E, Young W
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Perspectives on factor Xa inhibition
  • Curr Med Chem 2001 Feb; 8(2): 101-19
  • Rai R, Sprengeler PA, Elrod KC, Young WB
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Dibasic inhibitors of human mast cell tryptase. Part 2: structure-activity relationships and requirements for potent activity
  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2000 Oct 16; 10(20): 2361-6
  • Rice KD, Wang VR, Gangloff AR, Kuo EY, Dener JM, Newcomb WS, Young WB, Putnam D, Cregar L, Wong M, Simpson PJ
  • View Abstract on PubMed
  • Total synthesis of baccatin III and taxol
  • J Am Chem Soc 1996 118(12): 2843-59
  • Danishefsky SJ, Masters JJ, Young WB, Link JT, Snyder LB, Magee TV, Jung DK, Isaacs RCA, Bornmann WG, Alaimo CA, Coburn CA, DiGrandi MJ
  • Synthesis of N-{4-[2-(2-Amino-5,6-dihydro-4(3H)-oxo-7H-pyrrolo[2,3d]pyrimidin-6-yl)ethyl]benzoyl}-L-glutamic Acid: A ring contracted analogue of DDATHF
  • J Org Chem 1996 61(4): 1261-66
  • Taylor EC, Young WB, Spanka C
  • A novel intramolecular heck reaction: synthesis of a cholesterol-baccatin III hybrid
  • Angew Chem Int Ed Eng 1995 34: 452
  • Masters JJ, Jung DK, Danishefsky SJ, Snyder LB, Park TK, Young WB, Alaimo CA
  • A total synthesis of taxol
  • Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 1995 34(16): 1723-26
  • Masters JJ, Link JT, Snyder LB, Young WB, Danishefsky SJ
  • Pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine folate analogues: "inverted" analogues of the cytotoxic agent LY231514
  • J Org Chem 1995 60: 7947
  • Taylor EC, Young WB
  • Transformations of a baccatin III steroidal hybrid: unique reactivity patterns in oxidation and reduction reactions
  • Tetrahedron Lett 1995 Jul 10; 36(28): 4963-66
  • Young WB, Link JT, Masters JJ, Snyder LB, Danishefsky S, De Gala S
  • Stereocontrolled syntheses of C-Aryl taxanes by intramolecular heck olefination - Novel instances of diastereofacial guidance by proximal coordination
  • J Am Chem Soc 1995 117(9): 5228-34
  • Young WB, Masters JJ, Danishefsky SJ
  • Syntheses of a regioisomer of N-{4-[2-(2-Amino-4(3H)-oxo-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl) ethyl]benzoyl}-L-glutamic Acid (LY231514), an active thymidylate synthetase inhibitor and antitumor agent
  • J Heterocycl Chem 1993 36: 1897
  • Taylor EC, Young W, Chaudari R, Patel H
  • An expeditious synthesis of 2-Amino-4(3H)-oxo-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine (9-Deazaguanine)
  • Tetrahedron Lett 1993 34: 4595-98
  • Taylor EC, Young WB, Ward C
  • Synthesis of ()-ferruginine and ()- anhydroecgonine methyl ester by a tandem cyclopropanation/cope rearrangement
  • J Org Chem 1991 Sep 13; 56(19): 5696-700
  • Davies HML, Saikali E, Young WB
  • A novel entry into the tropane alkaloids via reactions of vinylcarbenoids and pyrroles
  • Tetrahedron Lett. 1989 35: 4653
  • Davies HML, Young WB, Smith HD
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Awards & Honors
  • American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship--1993-1995
  • H. W. Dodds - Princeton University Honorific Fellowship, Top Thesis Award--1993
  • ACS Graduate Fellowship sponsored by Eli Lilly Research Laboratories--1991-1992
  • Josephine de Karman Fellowship--1992
  • Department of Education Graduate Fellowship--1990
  • BA/MS Chemistry Scholarship, Wake Forest University--1988
  • New York Math League Award, Finalist--1984
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Ellen Filvaroff, 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.