Case Studies of Successful Drug Discovery and Development

Magid Abou-Gharbia, Ph.D.
Sr. VP/Head, Chemical & Screening Sciences
Magid Abou-Gharbia - CV - PDF

Dr. Abou-Gharbia received his BS in Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1971, MS in Medicinal Chemistry in 1974 from the faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, and PhD in 1979 from The University of Pennsylvania under Professor Madeleine Joullié followed by a two-year NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at Medical School, Temple University. Magid joined Wyeth Drug Discovery and Development in 1982 as senior scientist and advanced through roles of increasing responsibility to Senior Vice President & Head of Chemical & Screening Sciences. In this position, he has built a strong multi-disciplinary Chemical & Screening Sciences (CSS) organization. During his tenure he has fostered a highly creative environment based on modern drug discovery technologies and enhanced chemistry skills and capabilities via the recruitment of high caliber scientists. In his current role he oversees Wyeth's Chemistry and Screening Discovery research efforts of over 500 scientists at the four Discovery research sites in Collegeville, PA; Princeton, NJ; Pearl River, NY, & Cambridge, MA and 150 chemists at GVK Bio in Hyderabad, India in 5 therapeutic areas Neuroscience, Women Health.

Pharma R&D Achievements:Over the years his group research efforts led to the discovery of four marketed drugs and many compounds currently under clinical evaluation including: first-in-class Antidepressant Effexor; Anticancer Agent Mylotarg; a Sedative Hypnotic Sonata; a Broad Spectrum Antibiotic Tygacil, a Non-Steroidal HRT Viviant(Bazedoxifene); an anticancer rapamycin derivative, Torisel™ (temsirolimus); and, an SNRI Antidepressant, Pristiq (DVS-233).

Scientific Contributions include over 175 invited lectures, presentations and publications; inventor on 99 US-issued US patents and over 350 patents worldwide. Awards include: Alfred Burger Award in Medicinal Chemistry (2008), American Institute of Chemists (AIC) Chemistry Pioneer Award (2007), Researcher of the Year (2006) from Health Care Institute of NJ (HINJ); Trailblazer Award (2006) from Science Spectrum; Induction into the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame (2004); The Procter Medal (2003); ACS Earle B. Barnes Award (2001); Philadelphia Organic Chemists Club (POCC) Award (2001); Egyptian Pharmaceutical Society Drug Discovery Award (2000); Named in list of most Prolific Inventor of the Decade by US Patent & Trade Mark (1998); ACS-Philadelphia Section Award (1997); Wyeth-Ayerst Exceptional Achievement Award (1992); and others.

Scientific and Professional Activities include C&EN Advisory Board, ACS Corp. Associates & Award Canvassing Committees, SFN, AAAS, NYAS, The Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), Board of Visitors, Temple U. Pharmacy School, and the Editorial and Scientific Advisory Boards of many journals.

Academic Appointments: Adjunct Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Temple University, Northeastern University, Center of Drug Discovery (CDD), Cairo University and the University of Ferrara, IT.