Michael Drennan

Associate Director R&D Immunology

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

About

Strategic immunologist and drug discovery leader with over 18 years of experience spanning academia and biotech. Expert in translational immunology, autoimmune and infl ammatory diseases, and pharmacology. Proven track record in target discovery, preclinical development, and cross-functional project leadership. Adept at integrating scientifi c insight with strategic assessment to guide drug development and pipeline decisions. Strong communicator and collaborator, passionate about external innovation, partnerships, and advancing novel therapies

Experience

  • Galapagos (Full-time · 6 yrs 2 mos)
    • Associate Director Immunology
      Aug 2023 - Dec 2025 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      • Immunology Area Leader in drug discovery and pre-clinical projects • Project lead responsibility for drug discovery project strategy, resourcing and deliverables according to timelines • Supported pre-clinical project progression through target positioning, safety assessments, assay cascade enrichment and PCC document writing

    • Team Leader Immune-Inflammation & Cell Biology
      Aug 2020 - Aug 2023 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      • Managed a team of 8-10 (Sr.) Scientists & biology leads responsible for the in vitro pharmacology for dedicated projects within Immunology portfolio • Management responsibilities included Line management (team leader) function, supervision of Master students, outsourcing and academic collaborations • Supported progress of drug discovery projects (H2L/LO/PCC) and contributed to progression of clinical compounds

    • Principal Scientist Immune inflammation
      Nov 2019 - Aug 2020 · 10 mos

      • Immunology lead for select small molecule drug development projects in inflammatory and autoimmune disease • Scientific management and mentorship of vitro pharmacology teams in immunological and biochemical models relevant to autoimmune disease • Facilitated development and delivery of multiple phenotypic assays using human and murine primary cells to support drug screening cascades

  • Research Team Lead at VIB
    Jan 2014 - Dec 2017 · 4 yrs

    • Lead the development and implementation of lipid biochemistry and patient selection biomarkers for individual projects in immune-oncology and rheumatic inflammation • Provided expertise to project team to ensure access to state of the art lipidomics and molecular biology technologies, evaluated their scientific basis and eventual clinical applicability • Assessed technical issues and oversaw the analysis and reporting of data relevant to the proposed projects • Supported the development of collaboration with Universities and Research Institutes, participated in related conferences and acquired funding for projects in immune-oncology • Provided extensive guidance and assistance to co-workers with various theoretical and experimental design issues

  • Ghent University (10 yrs 11 mos)
    • Staff Scientist
      Feb 2011 - Dec 2017 · 6 yrs 11 mos

      • Headed a molecular immunology research team • Lead discovery research projects in lymphocyte development and function as well as murine models of inflammatory disease • Provided expertise to project team to ensure access to state of the art murine transgenic, immunological and bioinformatic technologies • Oversaw complex data analysis across all technical disciplines, assessed technical issues and interpreted research conclusions based on research analysis • Coordinated collaboration with Universities and Research Institutes abroad, participated in national and international conferences, wrote manuscripts and acquired project funding • Taught and guided PhD, graduate and undergraduate students • Provided extensive guidance and assistance to co-workers with various theoretical and experimental design issues

    • FWO Postdoctoral Research Associate
      Feb 2010 - Jan 2013 · 3 yrs

      • Developed, conducted and managed research projects in the fields of lymphocyte signal transduction, molecular immunology, and murine models for autoimmune disease • Collaborated with Universities and Research Institutes for murine transgenic tools, participated in national and international conferences, wrote manuscripts and acquired project funding • Taught and guided PhD, graduate and undergraduate students • Provided extensive guidance and assistance to co-workers with various theoretical and experimental design issues

    • Postdoctoral Research Fellow
      Feb 2007 - Jan 2010 · 3 yrs

      • Developed, conducted and managed fundamental research projects in the fields of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), lymphocyte trafficking and tissue organogenesis • Collaborated with Universities and Research Institutes for murine transgenic tools, participated in national and international conferences, wrote manuscripts and acquired project funding • Taught and guided PhD, graduate and undergraduate students • Provided extensive guidance and assistance to co-workers with various theoretical and experimental design issues

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow at VUmc
    Jun 2007 - Jul 2007 · 2 mos

    • Conducted fundamental research on GPCR biology and lymphoid organ development

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    Jan 2006 - Dec 2006 · 1 yr

    • Conducted fundamental research on the role of innate T lymphocytes in the immune response towards Trypanosoma brucei