Genentech - A Member of the Roche Group
/ Scientists Alan Olivero - Senior Director, Discovery Chemistry

Alan Olivero

Senior Director, Discovery Chemistry

"I am constantly inspired by my many colleagues here at Genentech and their dedication to bringing new therapies to patients. Through their passion for science and creative energy, difficult objectives such as curing cancer, seem possible. I find it very rewarding to contribute to these multi-disciplinary teams that are working diligently towards such a vision."
  • 20
    years at Genentech
  • 11
    publications (2010-12)

I joined Genentech in 1993 as a scientist in what is now known as the Discovery Chemistry department. I was originally attracted to Genentech because of the company's reputation for innovative research and its focus on science. The bright and enthusiastic people, the "work hard-play hard" atmosphere, and the unique corporate culture, continue to make Genentech a terrific place to work.

After five years of working in the fine chemical industry, I joined Genentech as a scientist in what is now known as the Discovery Chemistry department. I was originally attracted to Genentech because of the company's reputation for innovative research and its focus on science. The bright and enthusiastic people, the ""work hard-play hard"" atmosphere, and the unique corporate culture, continue to make Genentech a terrific place to work.

Early in my career here, I worked in collaboration with the Cardiovascular Department, designing and discovering novel small molecule anti-thrombotics and anti-platelet agents, with a specific focus on inhibitors of Tissue Factor/VIIa and antagonists of IIbIIIa. Today, I am an Associate Director in the Discovery Chemistry Department and much of my work focuses on the discovery of small molecule oncology drugs. The effort requires working in multi-disciplinary teams with the unified goal of identifying novel, small molecule inhibitors of cancer signaling. Using molecular structure-driven approaches, Genentech medicinal chemists design and synthesize new molecules that selectively bind to the desired biological target and, in turn, inhibit a particular cancer signaling event. The discovery process involves multi-parameter optimization of molecules for optimal potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmaceutical properties.

While I am still very much involved in the design and discovery of new inhibitors, much of my role today focuses on leading the various chemistry, project and early development teams which passionately pursue the goal of finding new therapies for unmet medical needs.

Featured Publication

Discovery of (thienopyrimidin-2-yl)aminopyrimidines as potent, selective, and orally available pan-PI3-kinase and dual pan-PI3-kinase/mTOR inhibitors for the treatment of cancer.
J Med Chem 2010 Feb 11; 53(3): 1086-97.
Sutherlin DP, Sampath D, Berry M, Castanedo G, Chang Z, Chuckowree I, Dotson J, Folkes A, Friedman L, Goldsmith R, Heffron T, Lee L, Lesnick J, Lewis C, Mathieu S, Nonomiya J, Olivero A, Pang J, Prior WW, Salphati L, Sideris S, Tian Q, Tsui V, Wan NC, Wang S, Wiesmann C, Wong S, Zhu BY.
View Abstract on PubMed

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