Experience

Genevant Sciences

• Canada
• Biotechnology
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Chemistry (Technology Development)

  • Oct 2019 - Present

  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

• Principal Scientist, Technology Development

  • Apr 2018 - Present

  Vancouver, Canada Area At Genevant Science Corporation (GSC), my role is to build on the expertise and knowledge I gained during my time at Arbutus Bioscience (joint majority owner of GSC) and to extrapolate beyond the focus of Hepatitis B therapies. I am a blue sky innovative thinker and aim to leverage my professional experience as a medicinal chemist working in therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, pain/CNS and most recently anti virial to fully exploit the opportunity nature has given us… Show more At Genevant Science Corporation (GSC), my role is to build on the expertise and knowledge I gained during my time at Arbutus Bioscience (joint majority owner of GSC) and to extrapolate beyond the focus of Hepatitis B therapies. I am a blue sky innovative thinker and aim to leverage my professional experience as a medicinal chemist working in therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, pain/CNS and most recently anti virial to fully exploit the opportunity nature has given us to use nucleic acids as therapeutic agents. Genevant has a vision of delivering 5-10 products to clinical evaluation by 2020 and I consider myself an integral and committed member of the team that will realise this ambition.



Arbutus Biopharma Corporation

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Scientist

  • Feb 2017 - Present

  Burnaby, Vancouver During this time my role included but was not limited to: Design and synthesis of proprietary targeting ligands for conjugation to siRNA for HBV programs. Project currently under IND tox evaluation prior to clinical evaluation Design and synthesis of "second generation" proprietary targeting ligands showing improved CMC profiles with comparable or superior activity metrics relative to bench mark ligands. Design and synthesis of small orally active molecules for use in… Show more During this time my role included but was not limited to: Design and synthesis of proprietary targeting ligands for conjugation to siRNA for HBV programs. Project currently under IND tox evaluation prior to clinical evaluation Design and synthesis of "second generation" proprietary targeting ligands showing improved CMC profiles with comparable or superior activity metrics relative to bench mark ligands. Design and synthesis of small orally active molecules for use in treatment of Hepatitis B - multi-step de-novo synthesis, route discovery of multifunctional tricyclic pharmacophores with improved in-vitro and in-vivo profiles over bench mark compounds - (product shortly entering clinical evaluation) Design and synthesis of novel cationic lipids with utility in portfolio LNP programs for delivery of nucleic acid therapies, resulting in the identification of a proprietary cationic lipid class with performance close to bench mark "platinum standard" formulation with divergent physicochemical properties

• Research Scientist

  • Jul 2015 - Feb 2017

  Burnaby, Vancouver, BC Primarily involved in the design, synthesis, purification and characterization of compounds that target the liver for delivery of siRNA specifically for the companies Hepatitis B program, but also for other projects as required; Troubleshoot problematic synthesis; Assist in the identification and management of external collaborating parties and/or contract research laboratories performing studies on behalf of the company; Contribute to the development of Tekmira’s patent portfolio and the… Show more Primarily involved in the design, synthesis, purification and characterization of compounds that target the liver for delivery of siRNA specifically for the companies Hepatitis B program, but also for other projects as required; Troubleshoot problematic synthesis; Assist in the identification and management of external collaborating parties and/or contract research laboratories performing studies on behalf of the company; Contribute to the development of Tekmira’s patent portfolio and the scientific literature.



Richard Holland Scientific Consulting

• Scientific Consultant

  • Jan 2015 - Jul 2016

  Pacific North West During this time I leveraged my technical and scientific acumen to assist several early stage businesses with research,development and strategy challenges. These companies and areas include: Lucid Oils (WA, USA), (www.lucidoils.com) - Process development and creating SOP's for the extraction and purification of organic material from plants. Pooktpet (Vancouver, BC), (www.Pooktpet.com) - Process development, organizational oversight, business strategy and development, business loan… Show more During this time I leveraged my technical and scientific acumen to assist several early stage businesses with research,development and strategy challenges. These companies and areas include: Lucid Oils (WA, USA), (www.lucidoils.com) - Process development and creating SOP's for the extraction and purification of organic material from plants. Pooktpet (Vancouver, BC), (www.Pooktpet.com) - Process development, organizational oversight, business strategy and development, business loan application, SOP creation. Pooktpet specializes in the repurposing and "upcycling" of pet waste to minimize the impact on urban landfill sites. HydrogenRich Water (Vancouver, BC), (www.drinkHRW.com) - product development, troubleshooting manufacturing issues. I am the co-founder of HRW and currently acting CSO and equity owner. Show less



Holland Days Investments Inc

• Owner Operator

  • Apr 2013 - Oct 2014

  Whistler BC Oversaw restaurant revenues of +600K; responsible for hiring, training and management of up to 18 employees; budget and revenue control including capital equipment purchasesplace and receive orders; inventory control, payroll duties; menu design and overview; holder of food primary liquor license; business license holder.



Zalicus Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

• Canada
• Biotechnology Research

• Associate Director of Chemistry

  • Jan 2008 - Mar 2012

  Vancouver, Canada Area Represented the companies synthetic efforts during a two year research collabortion wih Merck Research Laboratories. Duties included coordinating and supervising six FTE chemists; summarising and presenting research directions and results at biweekly meetings; biweekly reporting to upper management; providing a point of contact between the two organisations to coordinate and facilitate research and transmission of materials; full time synthetic chemist; assisting the Senior Director of… Show more Represented the companies synthetic efforts during a two year research collabortion wih Merck Research Laboratories. Duties included coordinating and supervising six FTE chemists; summarising and presenting research directions and results at biweekly meetings; biweekly reporting to upper management; providing a point of contact between the two organisations to coordinate and facilitate research and transmission of materials; full time synthetic chemist; assisting the Senior Director of Chemistry with laboratory and process modernisation; providing strong leadership and intellectual input on research direction and strategy; preparing patents and publications for filing. During this time I worked on two projects that led to the nomination of a compound for clinical evaluation. In addition I have been an active contributor in the identification of multiple compounds nominated for IND enabling toxicity studies. Show less



Neuromed Pharmaceuticals

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

• Associate Director of Chemistry

  • May 2007 - Jan 2008

• Research Scientist III

  • Dec 2004 - May 2007



TRIGEN LIMITED

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Scientist

  • Apr 2002 - Dec 2004



Thrombosis Research Institute, London

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Scientist

  • Dec 2000 - Apr 2002



Leverton-Clarke Ltd

• Production Supervisor

  • Sep 1995 - Sep 1996

  UK Duties included overseeing the production and shipment of lithium brines for worldwide export; upgrading and writing production documents for BS5750 and ISO9000 quality assurance systems.