Experience

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  Epigen Biosciences, Inc.

  • Research Scientist

    • 2012 - Present

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  J&J Pharmaceuticals Research and Development

  • Scientist

    • Feb 1998 - Jan 2010

    A Synthetic Chemist in the Neuroscience chemistry group working in synergy with biologists, the PK/PD group, the CADD group and the scale up group. Designed, synthesized and evaluated novel CNS molecules for the treatment of depression, ADHD, Narcolepsy, allergic rhinitis and sleep disorders. Worked on numerous chemotypes including Histamine H3 antagonists, Histamine H4 antagonists, Vanilloid VR1 antagonists, Histamine H3/H1 dual antagonists, Dual histamine H3 antagonists/Serotonin reuptake transporter inhibitor (SERT), 5-HT7 antagonists, NPYY2 antagonists and Orexin-2 antagonists.Accomplishments:• In H3 antagonist program: Responsible for pre-clinical development and scale up of JNJ-17216498, a compound that was candidate for the treatment of Narcolepsy trial. Inventor on eleven patents and patent applications and co-author of two publications• In H4 antagonist program: Identified and synthesized lead compound in benzimidazole series. Also participated in the development of SAR in benzimidazole and indole series. Inventor on five patents and patent applications and co-author of one publication• In VR1 antagonist program: Synthesized and identified lead compounds in pyridyl piperazinyl urea series. Also participated in the development of SAR in piperazinylcarbonylindole series. Inventor on one patent and co-author of one publication• In NPYY2 program: Synthesized compounds suitable for target validation. Inventor on three patents and patent applications• In 5-HT7 program: Inventor on one patent application• In dual H3 antagonist/SERT program: Inventor on one patent. Synthesized challenging compounds in the naphthyridine series• In dual H3/H1 antagonist program: Inventor on one patent• Purification of intermediates and final products using Gilson HPLC, Gilson HPLC modified by Simadzu, Dionex HPLC and Agilent HPLC for reverse phase purification and automated Isco system• Contribution in patent application writing

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  AMGEN, INC.

  • Scientist

    • Feb 1995 - Jan 1998

    Synthetic chemist in the Inflammation chemistry group. Accomplishments:• Synthesized novel compounds for the inhibition of Tryptase for asthma therapy • Synthesized novel compounds for the inhibition of TNF -Convertase• Manuscripts and patent applications unpublished

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  STERLING WINTHROP, INC.

  • Senior Research Scientist

    • Jun 1991 - Dec 1994

    Synthetic chemist in Hit to Lead Medicinal chemistry. Elucidated Structure Activity Relationships (SAR) in synergy with biologists and computational chemists. Completed multistep synthesis of inflammatory, viral and cardiovascular disease inhibitors. Radioimmuno-conjugate discovery chemistry for synthesis of complex novel macrocyclic chelators for lanthanide and transition metal ions useful in tumor suppression.Accomplishments:• Inventor on four patents• Co-author of one publication

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  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SPONSORED RESEARCH PROGRAM

  • Senior Research Chemist

    • Aug 1979 - May 1991

    Discovery of psychopharmacological compounds. Milligram to multigram synthesis, purification and identification of active classes including (1) Indoles (2) Histamines and Histidines (3) Tryptamines (4) Phenylalkylamines (5) Phenylalanines (6) Phenothiazines and (7) Phenothiazine isosteres. Accomplishments:• Published ten yearly research reports• Scale up of key compounds in multigram quantities• Laboratory and instrument management