Frederick Westhorpe

- Lead drug discovery - Help design clinical development strategy for Brandaris' lead asset - Brandaris have developed non-hallucinogenic serotonergic receptor agonists for a range of CNS therapeutic indications, including depression

Guide scientific direction, discovery portfolio strategy, and external relations: - Scientific diligence - Fundraising - Pipeline prioritisation - External collaborations and KOL network - Mentoring internal scientists

Led R&D strategy for a pipeline of small molecules generated from Biomia’s proprietary biomanufacturing platform—capable of exploring previously inaccessible chemical space at meaningful, therapeutic scale.

​I consult in and around three key areas: - Small Molecule Pharmacology - Preclinical Drug Discovery and Development - Biotech R&D Strategy and Growth Clients include biotech companies developing novel pharmacological approaches to treat neurodegeneration and psychiatric disorders. Please contact me if you wish to discuss how I can help your mission!

At Compass, I helped direct Compass R&D portfolio strategy, led the discovery pharmacology group and also drove preclinical discovery/development project teams, advancing assets to clinical readiness. Compass is a mental health care company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. The first clinical programme, in Phase 3 trials, is researching how COMP360, a proprietary form of psilocybin, could help people with treatment-resistant depression.

CuraSen are focused on restoring the lost adrenergic impact of the locus coeruleus that is observed in neurodegenerative diseases. I built and led CuraSen's discovery lab, characterising novel small molecule activity in a panel of in vitro lead optimization assays, and helped build the preclinical data package that now gives CuraSen a number of clinical-stage assets in development.

Pioneering member of Merck’s South San Francisco discovery site, I promoted an open and collaborative research culture as the site expanded. Built and maintained research teams to develop new technologies. Established and characterized novel cell-based assay and drug candidates aimed at treating complex human disease. Drove multiple target validation and discovery projects as part of cross-functional teams within cardiovascular, skeletal muscle and ophthalmologic indications.

The Cheeky Scientist Association is for PhD graduates who wish to transition from academia into industry. Engaging in the Association involves supportive networking and collaborating with other PhD students to help mutual achievement of career goals.

http://www.ascb.org/community-committee/international-affairs Invited Postdoctoral member of a ~15 person committee promoting international ASCB membership and engagement. Review and award grants for international ASCB meeting attendees. Co-organize and promote international communication and collaboration through ASCB round-table events at the annual meeting. Discuss and decide on ASCB IAC funding allocation and policy.

Founded the Stanford Biochemistry Postdoc Committee. The committee promotes communication, outreach and discussion within the department, organizing networking events, research seminars and welcoming new colleagues. The committee continues to be a point of help for postdocs and students seeking advice, acting as liaison between trainees and faculty.

Driver of multiple independent and collaborative projects, broadly aimed at understanding the mechanisms of chromosome segregation. Developed novel technologies that rebuild centromeric chromatin via protein purification, in vitro reconstitution and cell extracts to assay centromere function by numerous biochemical and microscopy techniques. Published 1 first author paper (another submitted), 1 project from an international collaboration, and 4 review articles (see publications). Directly mentored 6 rotation students and collaborated with multiple PhD candidates and fellow Postdocs across numerous projects, broadly investigating the role of chromatin in genome maintenance and development, using multiple technical approaches, including chromatography, microscopy, mass spectrometry and Next-generation sequencing. Through this work, I have extensive knowledge in: - Protein purification - multiple expression systems - Antibody characterization - Protein/Antibody conjugation - Microscopy, Immunofluorescence - Cell culture - FACs analysis - CRISPR/Cas9 engineering - EMSAs, Thermophoresis, Biacore - Molecular Biology, Cloning - Mass Spectrometry analysis - Xenopus, Human cell extracts Publications (listed in profile below) - 2 original research papers (additional paper submitted) - 2 reviews - 2 perspectives Awards - Dean's postdoctoral fellowship - Stanford 2012-2013 - ASCB travel awards for conference presentation and attendance 2015

Thesis Title: Investigating the mechanisms of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Supervisor: Prof. Stephen Taylor I identified a novel pathway that promotes efficient human cell division, and is sensitive to antimitotic drugs (Paclitaxel/Taxol, Nocodazol) used in cancer therapeutics. Through my PhD, I gained extensive experience in: - Human tissue cell culture - Stable, transient cell transfection - Antimitotic cancer drug characterization - Live-cell imaging - Antibody characterization - Western blotting, ELISA, Immunoprecipitation

Including a 2nd year Part-time Research assistant; Prof. Nigel Robinson