Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Focusing on the early stages of the pipeline from compound screening to candidate selection. Specifically working as a lead chemist. Project leader for the Malaria Box and Pathogen Box initiatives, which are open source projects designed to catalyse drug discovery research in neglected diseases.
Ligand-based lead optimisation of a new strain resistant anti-malarial drug candidate: Fine-tuned right balance between in vitro potency and PK/PD profile. Circumvented safety liabilities (hERG, CYP2D6 inh.) to fulfill the Target Compound Profile. Responsible for overseeing the hit discovery process with external collaborators against S. mansoni (Schistosomiasis). Active team member in the therapeutic area of neglected tropical diseases (antihelmintic drugs project). Designed, validated proprietary and underrepresented scaffolds for drug-like chemical libraries by Contract Research Organization
Established a new chemically-based diagnostic test for Buruli ulcer, a skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. Trained laboratory staff to use this method.
Total synthesis and structure assignment of the minor metabolite arising from Mycobacterium liflandii. Therapeutic area of neglected tropical diseases: Researched and developed a point-of-care diagnosis for Buruli ulcer via a luminescent detection method for the mycolactones.