Douglas J. MacNeil, PhD
Molecular biologist with over 30+ years in all aspects of early Drug Discovery. Working in Large Pharma and small Biotechs; identified 15 compounds for development, 4 novel drugs approved. Extensive experience with drug discovery CROs.
Skills
About
Extensive experience in Early Drug Discovery and Development. A proven record of delivering development compounds, including expertise in target identification, target validation, project initiation, and discovery team leadership. Deep capability in G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), neuropeptides, energy homeostasis, neurodegeneration, and metabolic diseases. Expert at optimizing internal and external in vitro assays to support Lead ID and Lead Optimization. Initiated seven programs that delivered compounds for development; four achieved clinical proof of concept. Responsible for 17 GPCR programs including agonist, antagonist, inverse agonist, allosteric modulators, and biased ligand projects. Broad background managing international collaborations with partners in Japan, India, China, Germany and Denmark.
Recognized as expert in the following areas:
• Biology Project Leader
• Metabolic Disorders
• Neuroscience
• Target ID and Validation
• GPCR biology
• Kinases
• Cell based assay development and validation
• Assay validation and CRO selection
Carreer highlights:
• Chief Biologist at two Biotechs, designed Proof of Concept studies
• Biology Project Lead on 9 Drug Discovery projects, from bench to the FDA
• Led a MRL-wide team that reviewed 500+ New Targets for Metabolic Disorders
• Led a 25+ team of cell biologists to support all Merck NJ Medicinal Chemistry projects
• Responsible for evaluating and managing in vitro biology support at CROs
• Molecular Biologist on Nobel Prize winner Bill Campbell’s Avermectin Team
• Over 95 publications and 15 patents
Work experience
Director of in vitro pharmacology
Select, develop, and validate optimal in vitro assays to support > 25 novel drug discovery projects, about half were implemented at CROs in Asia, Europe and North America
Chief Science Officer
Design and implement Proof of Concept studies for novel small molecule treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
VP Preclinical Discovery
Design and implement Proof of Concept studies for novel peptide:nucleic acid complex that delivers the nucleic acid into the brain after IV dosing
