Justin (R.) P.
Principal Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry
Experience
Aug 2024 - Apr 2025
9 monthsBoston, United States
Principal Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry
DeepCure, Inc.
- Chemistry team leader on a cross-functional AI/ML enabled discovery team that advanced a small molecule STAT6 inhibitor from initiation to candidate nomination in 8 months aligning with ambitious milestones.
- Led initiation and discovery efforts toward a small molecule glue inhibitor; designed, evaluated, and executed the synthesis of novel compounds, working closely with a team of researchers and data scientists utilizing in-house AI design platform to facilitate rapid SAR decision-making; advanced project from conception to multiple novel, cellularly active series in four months.
- Implemented and carried out strategic medicinal chemistry plans utilizing multiple CROs to enhance efficacy, ADME/DMPK, and safety profiles for all projects.
- Worked collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team of computational chemists, software engineers, and molecular biologists to use and improve internal AI and physics-based technology platform and streamline drug discovery efforts.
Jun 2023 - Jun 2024
1 year 1 monthNewton, United States
Principal Scientist - Medicinal Chemistry
Bridge Biotherapeutics, Inc.
- Chemistry project leader on four targets in a cross-functional team; designed and evaluated novel small molecule compounds and validated novel, covalent MoA for several undrugged targets; rapidly advanced weak binders to selective, cellularly active, lysine-targeting covalent lead-like molecules for a target in 6 months.
- Managed chemistry at three external CROs, designed targets, managed resources, troubleshooted chemistry; coordinated external establishment of key biophysical and functional assays, reducing SAR cycle times by one week and freeing up internal resources for advanced assay development.
- Built and implemented a proprietary, non-cysteine focused, covalent screening library, using CRO partners, to enable a chemistry focused, target agnostic screening platform; successfully managed hit discovery and evaluation using multiple biophysical techniques including SPR, Intact MS, ABPP, and co-crystallization.
- Led research collaboration with Scripps Research Institute focused on novel target identification using ABPP and novel chemistry methodologies to synthesize complex chiral probes.
Mar 2015 - Mar 2023
8 years 1 monthBillerica, United States
Scientist I-II
EMD Serono Research Institute
- Designed and synthesized frontrunner series on a novel PROTAC project; progressed series from hit to lead, optimizing key parameters including potency, selectivity, solubility, and stability leading to better overall profile and improved bioavailability.
- Served as target chemist on a reversible kinase inhibitor project; designed and synthesized lead series and advanced project from hit to lead; best compounds demonstrated efficacy in animal models.
- Lead chemist on hit discovery program targeting a new GPCR in the therapeutic area of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD); helped discover novel, selective, positive allosteric modulators for the target as the only chemist within an interdisciplinary project team.
- Implemented new chemical inventory storage and management system.
- Supervised and trained multiple co-op and intern students; onboarded new chemistry hires.
Feb 2010 - Mar 2015
5 years 2 monthsBillerica, United States
Associate Scientist II
EMD Serono Research Institute
- Independently designed and synthesized compounds for an in-house kinase program, utilizing a novel scaffold which became the frontrunner series.
- Provided SAR input and devised and synthesized compounds comprising several diverse chemical series on a second NDD project; co-managed CRO working on backup series.
- Utilized known data and SAR to independently design and synthesize key compounds, many requiring multistep synthesis, as a member of a late-stage oncology kinase inhibitor program tasked with advancing a lead series into development.
Aug 2007 - Feb 2010
2 years 7 monthsBillerica, United States
Associate Scientist I
EMD Serono Research Institute
- Member of a multidisciplinary team that devised and synthesized new privileged structures aimed at discovering and developing novel, diverse, selective, and highly active kinase inhibitors for new and existing projects.
- Designed and executed targeted libraries up to 1 gram scale, involving multistep synthesis.
- Maintained Biotage Initiator 2.0 microwave reactor, including scheduling service and stocking consumables.
Jan 2004 - May 2004
5 monthsChapel Hill, United States
Teaching Assistant, Organic Synthesis Lab
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Aug 2003 - Dec 2003
5 monthsChapel Hill, United States
Teaching Assistant, Analytical Chemistry Lab
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Jan 2003 - May 2003
5 monthsChapel Hill, United States
Teaching Assistant, Organic Synthesis Lab
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Oct 2002 - Aug 2007
4 years 11 monthsChapel Hill, United States
Research Assistant
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Discovered and developed novel metallophosphite catalysts and their use in the enantioselective acylation of aldehydes with acylsilanes.
- Expanded the metallophosphite catalysis chemistry to include enantioselective acylation of α,β-unsaturated amides with acylsilanes.
Aug 2002 - Dec 2002
5 monthsChapel Hill, United States
Teaching Assistant, Analytical Chemistry Lab
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Summary
Intellectually agile, highly motivated Medicinal Chemist with scientific curiosity and a demonstrated drug hunting track record with direct contributions to design and synthesis of protein degraders, inhibitors, and GPCR modulator programs from hit ID through candidate selection. Passionate and innovative leader who motivates others to achieve scientific objectives in multi-disciplinary drug discovery teams in a fast-paced, results-driven environment. Driven scientist known for excellent organization, communication and presentation skills.
- Designs, implements, and executes medicinal chemistry strategies, including efficient coordination of external medicinal chemistry efforts at CROs.
- Documented experience optimizing chemical series and advancing projects from Hit-to-Lead through Development Candidate phases.
- Applies medicinal chemistry expertise to convert AI-driven designs into drug-like molecules, accelerating Design-Make-Test-Analyze (DMTA) cycles.
- Critical skills needed to evaluate, analyze, interpret, summarize, and present data findings to team members and management while rigorously driving data-driven Go/No Go decisions.
- Proven record in writing patents, scientific presentations, and publications. Surveys the literature, seminars, and scientific meetings for novel methodologies to drive projects forward.
- Broad knowledge of modern synthetic methods, instrumentation, and software including ChemDraw, Reaxys, Mestrenova, MOE, D360, CDD, etc., with the ability to quickly learn and master new applications/tools.
Languages
English
NativeEducation
Oct 2005 - Jun 2007
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.S. · Organic Chemistry · United States
Oct 1998 - Jun 2002
The Ohio State University
B.S. · Chemistry · United States
Certifications & licenses
NMR System Administrator And Software Training Course
Agilent
NMR System Administrator And Software Training Course
Bruker Biospin
Drug-like Properties: Optimizing Pharmacokinetics And Safety In Drug Discovery
ACS Short Course
Residential School On Medicinal Chemistry
Drew University
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