Director Drug Discovery at Shire Therapeutics and Owner, DC Polymers
Greater Boston Area
Director Drug Discovery at Shire Therapeutics and Owner, DC Polymers
Greater Boston Area
Dynamic, self-motivated manager with 11 years industry experience working in multidisciplinary environments.
• Proven record of innovation and versatility in the areas of ocular drug delivery,
biopolymers, oligonucleotides, polysaccharide synthesis and assay
development
• Major strengths include proven leadership qualities, exceptional interpersonal
skills, and demonstrated experience successfully directing multiple projects
from conception through Phase 1
• Negotiated multiple research collaborations and license agreements
• Directed the design, build-out, staffing, and operations of three research
facilities
• Successfully raised $12M in a series B round of financing
(Public Company; Biotechnology industry)
2007 — Present (1 year)
(Public Company; Biotechnology industry)
2007 — Present (1 year)
(Biotechnology industry)
June 2007 — Present (1 year 7 months)
(Biotechnology industry)
Currently holds this position
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Biotechnology industry)
January 2006 — Present (3 years)
• Prepared and presented the scientific strategy for a successful series B fund
raising of $12M in a 7 month period.
• Developed the scientific portfolio and wrote the due diligence package used for
Venture Capital audits.
• Established the Waltham Research Facility and developed the core team,
consisting of 12 employees, ranging from EH&S, Quality, Animal Husbandry,
Microscopy, Engineering, Formulations, Finance, and IT.
• Managed the transfer and repositioning of the intellectual property from France to
a U.S. law firm.
• Developed the research goals and identified the appropriate formulation to enable
an IND filing for the iontophoretic delivery of steroids for Severe Uveitis and to
enable ex-US clinical studies in Uveitis and DME.
• Developed and implemented the research strategy to enable the ocular delivery of
proteins, oligonucleotides, steroids, and colloidal systems utilizing iontophoresis.
(Public Company; 201-500 employees; EYET; Biotechnology industry)
January 2002 — December 2005 (4 years)
• Directed 8 internal scientists and two external CRO’s in developing an intravitreal
PLG-Aptamer microsphere formulation with a target release profile of 4.5-6
months.
• Completed initial PK studies, negotiated a development agreement and initiated a
project plan for a 2008 IND filing of an encapsulated aptamer formulation for the
treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
• Managed the development of a novel reconstitution device for small volume
(100uL) resuspension of a lyophilized microsphere formulation.
• Identified, negotiated, and managed 5 feasibility studies investigating the ocular
delivery of aptamers utilizing microspheres, polymeric depots, liposomal
formulations, and iontophoresis.
• Directed the selection, design, and build out of the Lexington Research Facility
(46,000 ft2), including a 5,000 ft2 animal facility.
Ph.D., Bioorganic Chemistry, 1991 — 1996
B.S., Marine Biology/Chemistry, 1985 — 1989