Clark Pan

Oversaw gene therapy and gene editing platforms and rare cardiology, nephrology, and hematology therapeutic areas to deliver multiple development candidates and built a portfolio of preclinical rare disease gene therapies that were externalized to AstraZeneca for a total consideration of up to $1bn, plus tiered royalties on sales.

Built out internal gene therapy capability

Responsible and accountable for setting overall new molecular entity strategy that delivers preclinical development candidates consistent with the strategic objectives and mission of Shire, and are of sufficient number and quality to achieve the company’s portfolio objectives. Responsible for introduction of new enabling technologies and identification of external opportunities that help ensure the achievement of productivity goals. Integrates activities of Molecule Optimization with other major functions in Shire (e.g. Discovery Biology and Process Development) and the partnering of projects through Preclinical Development into the clinic. Responsible for developing and integrating operating and strategic plans that support the overall Shire Research goals, including optimizing the internal versus external resource balance of key functions. Major functions within Molecule Optimization include molecular design, molecule optimization, medicinal chemistry, oligonucleotide and peptide chemistry, molecular biology, protein chemistry, antibody engineering, phage library design and screening, gene therapy vector technology, computer aided drug design, project leadership and management of external partnerships. Effectively engages external scientific organizations and manages complex network of strategic CRO partnerships. Capable of representing the Company in all related technical matters of high significance. Is a member of the Shire Research and Non-clinical Development Leadership Team.

Managed a protein engineering group responsible for crystallography, mutagenesis, chemical modification, metabolic engineering, and HT screening Led a second generation program from research to clinical proof of concept, overseeing CMC (chemical synthesis, protein conjugation, and fill/finish at 7 manufacturing sites on 4 continents), Pharm/Tox, and clinical assay activities

Managed 3 protein engineering groups and led multiple project teams to deliver development candidates

Converted a single-stranded DNA nicking nuclease to a double-stranded cutting enzyme with hundreds of folds higher potency to treat pulmonary diseases.

Converted DNA binding proteins to nucleases by site-specific chemical conjugation