Yolanda Sanchez, PhD

Yolanda Sanchez, PhD

Biologist with 20+ years of experience in drug discovery
United States
English, Spanish
Academic affiliation

Translational biologist with 20+ of experience in big pharma and biotech. Experienced leader of drug discovery programs from target identification to early clinical studies.

Individual
Company

Skills

Animal models
Phenotypic screening
Team management (20-100 people)
In vitro screening
Translational biomarkers
Fibrosis
Inflammation
Consortium experience
Grant writing

About

Scientific, strategic, and people-oriented R&D leader with extensive combined experience in academic and industry settings. Expert in helping biotech teams adopt innovative and pragmatic strategies to advance drug discovery programs.

Extensive expertise in early drug discovery, spanning novel target/pathway identification and validation, lead optimization, candidate selection, IND-enabling studies, human biology translational studies, biomarker strategies, and early clinical studies. Extensive experience in implementation of collaborations and business initiatives, embedding of new technologies, line management and people development. Extensive experience in developing and leading multidisciplinary teams and cross-industry, biotech and academia collaborations. Extensive experience in portfolio prioritization and progression. Track record of delivering innovative approaches enabling the discovery and progression of novel clinical candidates for a number of indications.

Work experience

VP, Respiratory Therapy Area and Head of Discovery Performance Unit

Company:
GSK
Duration:
Dec 2005
-
Aug 2019
present

Head of the Stress and Repair DPU at GSK, responsible for the delivery of a portfolio of novel mechanisms for respiratory chronic diseases. The DPU was a multidisciplinary (chemistry, biology, DMPK) and integrated group of scientists, focused on identifying and progressing novel targets for COPD and other chronic respiratory diseases. Specific areas of scientific focus spanned cellular mechanisms of defense against oxidative stress and mechanisms of repair and remodeling in disease, including genetics and functional genomics approaches. This scientific strategy extended to diseases in other therapeutic areas (e.g., renal, skin) where oxidative stress is a driver of pathophysiology.

Founder and Senior Consultant

Company:
YSLB Drug Discovery Consulting LLC
Duration:
Sep 2019
-
present

•        Providing scientific, technical, and strategic expertise to early drug discovery programs, including small molecule, synthetic biology, and gene therapy approaches for various indications (respiratory, skin, and renal diseases).

•        Growing portfolio (over 12 client companies to date) in the biotech and start-up space.

Senior Partner

Company:
The Bracken Group
Duration:
Aug 2022
-
May 2023
present

Providing scientific, technical, and strategic expertise as well as project management experience to early drug discovery programs, including small molecule and mRNA approaches for various indications (respiratory, oncology).

Education

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Year of degree awarded:
1984

University of Oviedo, Spain

Degree:
PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Year of degree awarded:
1988

Publications

Case STUDIES

Small Molecule in Lead Optimization for Pulmonary Fibrosis

I consulted with a company that was progressing a small molecule inhibitor of IRE1, a component of the Unfolded Protein Response pathway. I contributed to shaping the critical path for screening molecules in the lead optimization phase. I designed and executed animal studies, established collaborations with leader academic investigators in the field, and run the biology platform for the target.

Translational Studies for a Small Molecule for Kidney Disease

I was a consultant for a company progressing a small molecule activator of a transcription factor involved in the oxidative stress response. I provided scientific and strategic advice on the pharmacology of the asset, helping with the interpretation and analysis of both preclinical and clinical data. I designed preclinical studies to characterize the asset in additional indications and identified and executed a strategy for biomarkers in early clinical studies.

Progression of Novel Gene Therapy for Respiratory Disease

I consulted for almost 2 years with a biotech company progressing an inhaled gene therapy approach for a genetic respiratory disease. I provided scientific and strategic input on the design of pharmacology and translational studies for the asset, helped analyze and contextualize data, and provided advise on preclinical studies. I also significantly contributed as a subject matter expert for the submission of several regulatory documents for the program.