Genentech: Steven Magnuson | Senior Director and Senior Principal Scientist, Discovery Chemistry

Scientists / Our Scientists

"The challenges of drug discovery, the opportunity to work with amazing colleagues, and the rewards of helping patients – what a great job!"

Years at Genentech

Publications at Genentech

I got my PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Alberta and after a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia University, I started my industrial career at Bayer. In 2007, I got the opportunity to work in the Discovery Chemistry Department at Genentech and help build a lead identification group as the small molecule effort expanded here. I was attracted to the company’s focus on science and helping patients. Since that time I’ve been able to work on projects throughout the drug discovery process from inception to clinical testing in different therapeutic areas. Every project is unique and the daily challenges of finding that ideal molecule means no two days are ever the same.

Featured Publication

GNE-781, A Highly Advanced Potent and Selective Bromodomain Inhibitor of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element Binding Protein, Binding Protein (CBP).

J Med Chem. 2017 Nov 22;60(22):9162-9183. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Romero FA, Murray J, Lai KW, Tsui V, Albrecht BK, An L, Beresini MH, de Leon Boenig G, Bronner SM, Chan EW, Chen KX, Chen Z, Choo EF, Clagg K, Clark K, Crawford TD, Cyr P, de Almeida Nagata D, Gascoigne KE, Grogan JL, Hatzivassiliou G, Huang W, Hunsaker TL, Kaufman S, Koenig SG, Li R, Li Y, Liang X, Liao J, Liu W, Ly J, Maher J, Masui C, Merchant M, Ran Y, Taylor AM, Wai J, Wang F, Wei X, Yu D, Zhu BY, Zhu X, Magnuson S.

View Abstract

Early in my time at Genentech, my focus was on lead identification finding promising chemical series for new biological targets. It’s a fast pace area with lots of different chemistry, assays, and biology where we worked on a number of different collaborations focused on new technologies and novel research areas. I’ve also had the opportunity to lead project teams in the lead optimization space for both immunology and oncology targets as well as leading a project in Early Development on its path through advanced safety testing towards Phase 1 testing in people. I’ve learned a great deal in each of these different areas working alongside great scientists.

A Retrospective Look at the Impact of Binding Site Environment on the Optimization of TRPA1 Antagonists

ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, ISSN: 19485875

Elisia Villemure; Jack A. Terrett; Larouche-Gauthier; Martin Déry; Huifen Chen; Rebecca M. Reese; Shannon D. Shields; Jun Chen; Steven Magnuson; Matthew Volgraf

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Steven Magnuson

Senior Director and Senior Principal Scientist, Discovery Chemistry

Featured Publication

GNE-781, A Highly Advanced Potent and Selective Bromodomain Inhibitor of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element Binding Protein, Binding Protein (CBP).