Moving to Genentech offered me the possibility of combining my knowledge of small molecule drug discovery with cutting-edge biological research to develop novel oncology therapeutics.

I joined Genentech at the end of 2006 in the newly formed department of Global Regulators. Moving to Genentech offered me the possibility of combining my knowledge of small molecule drug discovery with cutting-edge biological research to develop novel oncology therapeutics. In addition, given Genentech's commitment and success in bringing new biological therapeutics though extensive clinical trials and ultimately to patients, I was very excited about the possibility of contributing to a similar effort in small molecule drug discovery.

• My Focus

  Our current research is centered on supporting several ongoing small molecule drug discovery programs in the area of cell cycle regulation. For example, Genentech currently has a small molecule inhibitor of the DNA repair enzyme Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) undergoing clinical trials. Our role in research is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the biology of this enzyme and its role in repair of DNA damage. Detailed biological knowledge of PARP-1 and its regulation is important to help support our small molecule discovery efforts and will also provide critical information to help inform and focus our clinical strategy.

  Additionally, we currently provide research support to another program that is targeting an important protein that modulates cell cycle control. As we move forward, it is our goal to utilize state-of-the-art technology and biological approaches to dissect therapeutically important pathways with the aim of identifying new targets to include in our expanding pipeline.

• Publications

  • Discovery of potent and efficacious urea-containing nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) inhibitors with reduced CYP2C9 inhibition properties

    Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2013, ISSN: 0960-894X

    Gunzner-Toste, Janet; Zhao, Guiling; Bauer, Paul; Baumeister, Timm; Buckmelter, Alexandre J; Caligiuri, Maureen; Clodfelter, Karl H; Fu, Bang; Han, Bingsong; Ho, Yen-Ching; Kley, Nikolai; Liang, Xiaorong; Liederer, Bianca M; Lin, Jian; Mukadam, Sophie; O'Brien, Thomas; Oh, Angela; Reynolds, Dominic J; Sharma, Geeta; Skelton, Nicholas; Smith, Chase C; Sodhi, Jasleen; Wang, Weiru; Wang, Zhongguo; Xiao, Yang; Yuen, Po-Wai; Zak, Mark; Zhang, Lei; Zheng, Xiaozhang; Bair, Kenneth W; Dragovich, Peter S

     View on PubMed

• Education
  • University of California, Berkeley, Postdoctoral Fellow – 1999
  • Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Ph.D. Genetics and Development – 1994
  • Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, Genetics, B.A.(Mod) – 1987
• Awards & Honors
  • Principal Investigator, NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant – 2003
  • Special Fellow of the Leukemia Society of America (Postdoctoral Fellowship) – 1998-1999
  • Howard Hughes Postdoctoral Research Fellow – 1994-1998
  • Recipient of Cornell University Graduate School Summer Fellowship – 1991-1993
  • Recipient of American Irish Foundation Summer Fellowship – 1986