Experience

Saverna Therapeutics AG

• Switzerland
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Head Of Chemistry

  • Jan 2020 - Present



Privat

• Bern und Umgebung, Schweiz

• Consultant, Scientific Advisor

  • Apr 2018 - Present



Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Switzerland
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Consultant

  • Jul 2017 - Mar 2018



Actelion (now Janssen Pulmonary Hypertension)

• Switzerland
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Director

  • Dec 2003 - Jun 2017

  In the function of a senior group leader managed to shape a lead discovery team, consisting of a computational chemist responsible for the compound acquisition, a hit validation and hit-to-lead team responsible for processing early projects to the lead optimization status, supported by a high-throughput medicinal chemistry platform and external partners, complemented with QC analytic and stability measurements of compounds in various media, all in close collaboration with the HTS & compound… Show more In the function of a senior group leader managed to shape a lead discovery team, consisting of a computational chemist responsible for the compound acquisition, a hit validation and hit-to-lead team responsible for processing early projects to the lead optimization status, supported by a high-throughput medicinal chemistry platform and external partners, complemented with QC analytic and stability measurements of compounds in various media, all in close collaboration with the HTS & compound management team. In addition, supervision of a medicinal chemistry team responsible for the lead optimization process of various projects; highlight: the discovery of the novel CRTh2 antagonist setipiprant (ACT-129968), a clinical development candidate (phase III) for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Currently the team is mainly contributing to oncology projects. Show less In the function of a senior group leader managed to shape a lead discovery team, consisting of a computational chemist responsible for the compound acquisition, a hit validation and hit-to-lead team responsible for processing early projects to the lead optimization status, supported by a high-throughput medicinal chemistry platform and external partners, complemented with QC analytic and stability measurements of compounds in various media, all in close collaboration with the HTS & compound… Show more In the function of a senior group leader managed to shape a lead discovery team, consisting of a computational chemist responsible for the compound acquisition, a hit validation and hit-to-lead team responsible for processing early projects to the lead optimization status, supported by a high-throughput medicinal chemistry platform and external partners, complemented with QC analytic and stability measurements of compounds in various media, all in close collaboration with the HTS & compound management team. In addition, supervision of a medicinal chemistry team responsible for the lead optimization process of various projects; highlight: the discovery of the novel CRTh2 antagonist setipiprant (ACT-129968), a clinical development candidate (phase III) for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Currently the team is mainly contributing to oncology projects. Show less



Axovan Ltd.

• Basel Area, Switzerland

• Head Medicinal Chemistry

  • Aug 2002 - Nov 2003

  Responsible for the hit and lead selection process, managed and supervised the lead optimization process of various projects. Responsible for the hit and lead selection process, managed and supervised the lead optimization process of various projects.



Novartis

• Switzerland
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Project Leader

  • Aug 2001 - Jul 2002

  Responsible for lead discovery and lead optimization processes of TIP49 (ATPase) and Pin1 inhibitors within the Medicinal Chemistry Unit Oncology: Responsible for lead discovery and lead optimization processes of TIP49 (ATPase) and Pin1 inhibitors within the Medicinal Chemistry Unit Oncology:



GNF

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Senior Scientist

  • Aug 2000 - Jul 2001

  Involved in the buildup of a medicinal chemistry group and a chemical library design & production unit (Irori cans), and the integration of the computational chemistry team (virtual library generation and virtual screening and docking). Liaison to the Novartis Oncology team. Involved in the buildup of a medicinal chemistry group and a chemical library design & production unit (Irori cans), and the integration of the computational chemistry team (virtual library generation and virtual screening and docking). Liaison to the Novartis Oncology team.



Novartis

• Switzerland
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Project Leader

  • Jan 1997 - Jul 2000

  Project leader within the Medicinal Chemistry Unit Oncology: lead discovery and lead optimization process of Cdk4 (cell cycle dependent kinase 4) inhibitors, and of Cdc34 (ubiquitine-conjugating enzyme) inhibitors. Project leader within the Medicinal Chemistry Unit Oncology: lead discovery and lead optimization process of Cdk4 (cell cycle dependent kinase 4) inhibitors, and of Cdc34 (ubiquitine-conjugating enzyme) inhibitors.



Ciba-Geigy

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Labhead

  • Sep 1993 - Dec 1996

  Labhead within the Medicinal Chemistry Unit Oncology: synthesis of EGF tyrosine kinase inhibitors and prodrug modifications thereof; synthesis of Grb2-SH2 ligands (solid-phase synthesis); design and synthesis of phosphotyrosine mimetics. In addition, in charge of an analytical lab within Oncology (two additional direct reports): Stability measurements (including microsomal stability) of compounds in various biological media, analysis of plasma and tissue samples from pharmacokinetic studies. Labhead within the Medicinal Chemistry Unit Oncology: synthesis of EGF tyrosine kinase inhibitors and prodrug modifications thereof; synthesis of Grb2-SH2 ligands (solid-phase synthesis); design and synthesis of phosphotyrosine mimetics. In addition, in charge of an analytical lab within Oncology (two additional direct reports): Stability measurements (including microsomal stability) of compounds in various biological media, analysis of plasma and tissue samples from pharmacokinetic studies.



Ciba_Geigy

• Basel Area, Switzerland

• Labhead

  • Aug 1991 - Aug 1993

  Labhead in the Peptide Chemistry Group: solid-phase synthesis of neuropeptide Y analogues, and development of general strategies toward the synthesis of larger peptides; synthesis of small molecules grafted on solid support; pin technology. Labhead in the Peptide Chemistry Group: solid-phase synthesis of neuropeptide Y analogues, and development of general strategies toward the synthesis of larger peptides; synthesis of small molecules grafted on solid support; pin technology.