Nicholas Agard
Senior Principal Scientist, Antibody Engineering, Drug Discovery
I joined Genentech as a Scientist in 2016 following academic training in biological chemistry and protein engineering and five years in industry focused on the directed evolution of therapeutic enzymes. I was instantly attracted to the rigorous scientific focus, collaborative atmosphere, and the abundant creativity of my prospective (now current) colleagues, along with the ability to translate scientific findings to actual human medicines. In the department of Antibody Engineering my group focuses on the development of complex biologics and bioconjugates to enable targeted biology that isn’t addressable in other ways.
Postdoctoral Mentor
I’m always excited to mentor post docs at Genentech. The unique environment here offers postdocs the opportunity to contribute to basic science while being immersed in both foundational and translational research. I find that collaborating with the next generation of scientists helps to ground me in fundamental elements of biochemistry while exploring emerging approaches in biotherapeutic discovery. Together this allows us to answer important questions about approaches
Featured Publication
Antibody targeting of E3 ubiquitin ligases for receptor degradation
Nature, 610, 182-189 (2022)
AMarei, H; Tsai, W. T.; Kee, S.;….Agard, NJ;* de Sousa e Melo, F*
*Co-corresponding authors
My lab focuses on developing “smart biologics”- molecules that selectively turn pathways on or off in the location (complex, cell or tissue) of our choosing. We advance a variety of therapeutic modalities, including bi- and multispecific antibodies, fusion proteins, antibody drug conjugates, and bioconjugates to enable therapeutic targeting and selective modulation of pathway biology.
There are two current areas of particular interest. First, we are exploring ways to modify the tumor microenvironment to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. Despite multiple cell types playing integral roles in adaptive responses, most current approved immuno-oncology therapies are T-cell focused. We’re developing molecules to safely engage important biologies beyond T-cells to drive anti-tumor responses.
Second, we are interested in retargeting native biological activities at both the molecular and cellular level. We’ve shown that redirecting E3-ubiquitin ligases can efficiently drive degradation of target proteins. We’re exploring ways to extend these findings to new classes of enzymes and beyond to enable a new/next generation of targeted therapies.
- University of California, San Francisco, Postdoctoral Fellow – 2011
- University of California, Berkeley, PhD in Chemical Biololgy – 2007
- Brown University, Sc. B in Chemistry – 2002
- Ralph Schwall Memorial Award- for outstanding contributions to the success of science at Genentech (Awarded to one invention (1-2 scientists) per year) – 2022
- NIAID NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA) Postdoctoral Fellowship – 2008-2011
- 1st Prize Carbohydrate Division, American Chemical Society National Meeting Poster Awards – 2006
- Rhode Island Chapter of the American Chemical Society Award for Undergraduate Research – 2002
- Phi Beta Kappa, Brown University – 2002
- Thesis Prize, Department of Chemistry, Brown University – 2002