Scientists / Our Scientists

Peter Dragovich

Principal Fellow, Discovery Chemistry, Drug Discovery

"I'm interested in identifying new molecules which can be utilized as novel therapeutic agents to treat serious diseases with unmet needs."

Years at Genentech

Publications at Genentech

I’ve worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 20 years at both large and small organizations. Much of my early career was spent discovering novel antiviral agents for the treatment of HIV, HCV, and respiratory illnesses. Since coming to Genentech in 2010, I have contributed to multiple discovery-stage projects that span a variety of different therapeutic areas. My Genentech research includes studies in immunology, cancer metabolism, epigenetics, and (most-recently) antibody-drug conjugates. I greatly enjoy the diversity of the science conducted at Genentech and have learned many new things since joining the organization.

Featured Publication

Fragment-based Identification of Amides Derived From trans-2-(Pyridin-3-yl)cyclopropanecarboxylic Acid as Potent Inhibitors of Human Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT).

J. Med. Chem. 2014, 57, 770

Giannetti AM, Zheng X, Skelton NJ, Wang W, Bravo BJ, Bair KW, Baumeister T, Cheng E, Crocker L, Feng Y, Gunzner-Toste J, Ho YC, Hua R, Liederer BM, Liu Y, Ma X, O0Brien T, Oeh J, Sampath D, Shen Y, Wang C, Wang L, Wu H, Xiao Y, Yuen PW, Zak M, Zhao G, Zhao Q, Dragovich PS.

View Abstract on PubMed

As a medicinal chemist, I enjoy working on projects which seek to discover novel small-molecules that modulate the function of key biological targets. My work on these programs often entails the extensive use of computer-aided compound design techniques that employ X-ray crystal structures of various protein-ligand complexes. I also like to utilize computational tools to identify physiochemical property trends that can productively guide new compound design within a given compound series. As part of my medicinal chemistry activities, I work closely with other Genentech scientists who are experts in Biology, DMPK, Safety Assessment, and many other scientific specialties. I find these interactions to be very informative and rewarding.

During the past several years, I have become heavily involved in Genentech’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) efforts. My research in this area is considerably different from the medicinal chemistry activities mentioned above. However, I have greatly enjoyed exploring this new (for me) area of science, and I am very excited about the potential for antibody-drug conjugates to favorably impact challenging diseases such as cancer. As was the case with my medicinal chemistry work, I have had many productive and informative interactions with other Genentech scientists working in the ADC field.

Tissue distribution and retention drives efficacy of rapidly clearing VHL-based PROTACs

Communications Medicine,

Donglu Zhang; Bin Ma; Peter Dragovich; Li Ma; Shu Chen; Eugene C. Chen; Ye; Joyce F. Liu; Jennifer Pizzano; Elizabeth Bortolon; Emily Chan; Xing Zhang; Yi-Chen Chen; Elizabeth S. Levy; Robert Yauch; S. Cyrus Khojasteh; Cornelis E. Hop

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Peter Dragovich

Principal Fellow, Discovery Chemistry, Drug Discovery

Featured Publication

Fragment-based Identification of Amides Derived From trans-2-(Pyridin-3-yl)cyclopropanecarboxylic Acid as Potent Inhibitors of Human Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT).