Graffinity Pharmaceuticals Announces Further Expansion Of Medicinal Chemistry Department
01-Dec-2003
Graffinity Pharmaceuticals AG announced that Paul J. Edwards, Ph.D. has been appointed as Associate Director of medicinal chemistry, effective immediately. Dr. Edwards, 35, will report to Dr. Achim Feurer, Director of Medicinal Chemistry, who in turn reports to Dr. Victor G. Matassa, Vice President Research & Development.
"Dr. Edwards' broad experience and proven abilities in medicinal and combinatorial chemistry -- as evidenced by his track record in identifying and delivering high quality lead compounds -- makes him a vital addition to our drug discovery team," said Dr. Victor Matassa, formerly of Merck & Co. "We are delighted to have recruited someone of Paul's caliber from Pfizer at this crucial stage in the development of our internal product portfolio. The appointment brings significant additional scientific and managerial expertise to Graffinity. It also reinforces our commitment to the ongoing expansion of our Medicinal Chemistry Department and demonstrates Paul's confidence in our RAISE(R) (Rapid Affinity Informed Structure Evolution) process, which we are exploiting in order to identify and develop small molecule lead structures for our partners, as well as our own internal pipeline. With experienced drug hunters from Merck & Co, Pfizer and Bayer, we are in a unique position within the biotech community, and are strongly poised for success."
Prior to joining Graffinity, Dr. Edwards spent seven years at Pfizer Global Research and Development, where he concluded his tenure as a Principal Scientist. Prior to joining Pfizer, he spent two years as a Senior Research Chemist with Oxford Asymmetry International Ltd. Between 1993 and 1995, Dr. Edwards completed two SmithKline Beecham postdoctoral fellowships: The first at the University of Minnesota in the U.S., and the second at the University of Cambridge in the U.K.. Dr. Edwards is an alumnus of The University of Leicester in the U.K., where he earned his Ph.D in organic chemistry.
"With this appointment, we are continuing to build a powerful infrastructure of experienced drug hunters who will play a key role in the development of Graffinity Pharmaceuticals' product pipeline," said Dr. Klaus Schollmeier, Chief Executive Officer. "Dr. Edwards will be a major asset as we capitalize on the strength of our proprietary technology, and move ahead with our R&D initiatives, drug development programs and collaborative strategy."
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