walter kostich

director, commercial research

About

Drug discovery biologist and program leader with background in Multiple Sclerosis, Psychiatric disorders, Alzheimer’s disease and neuropathic pain research. Program leadership experience from target identification to selection of clinical candidate. Broad drug discovery knowledge and strong communication and project management skills. Experience spans target classes and treatment modalities. Particular depth in G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) pharmacology.

Country

united states

City

new york

Industry

pharmaceuticals

Skill

drug discovery, pharmacology, assay development, neuroscience, in vitro, pharmaceutical industry, gpcrs, biomarkers, animal models, protein chemistry, life sciences, in vivo, molecular biology, drug development, biotechnology, clinical development, receptor pharmacology, kinases, project management, confocal microscopy, fluorescence microscopy

Experience

senior research investigator i and ii

bristol-myers squibb

2006-1 - 2014-5 · 8 yrs 5 mos

Provided scientific and strategic leadership as biology lead for five discovery research programs, including two external alliance research programs directed at novel targets. Led molecular pharmacology lab with two associates performing biochemical and cellular assay development, medium throughput screening and detailed mechanistic studies. Biology co-lead for successful three way alliance program involving novel enzyme target for neuropathic pain. Achieved preclinical proof of concept, investigated PK/PD with occupancy, behavioral and biochemical endpoints, developed PD biomarker and tied mechanism of action to known pain pathway. The team was recognized with a BMS Innovation award. Built robust screening tiers for three GPCR allosteric modulator programs. Successfully identified novel small molecule leads for all three. Provided comprehensive supporting in vitro pharmacology packages. Led in vitro pharmacology efforts for CGRP antagonist program – program produced clinical stage asset.

senior research scientist i

bristol-myers squibb

2002-1 - 2006-1 · 4 yrs 1 mo

Responsible for developing biochemical and cellular assays for discovery programs. Designed, executed and interpreted studies to advance understanding of target biology and small molecule inhibitor pharmacology. Managed one associate starting in 2004. Completed PhD while working as an associate. Responsible for small molecule in vitro pharmacology effort for a full program. Completed multiple clinical candidate evaluations (selectivity, mechanism of action, binding properties). Led external alliance program targeting a tyrosine phosphatase through assay development, high throughput screen and hit follow-up. Worked with chemistry, crystallography and molecular modeling colleagues in synthesizing enzyme kinetic data and molecular binding site to understand novel mechanism of action. Co-recipient of TRIUMPH award for contributions to successful multimodal ion channel high throughput screen

research scientist

dupont pharmaceuticals

1994-1 - 2002-1 · 8 yrs 1 mo

* Responsible for design, execution and interpretation of in vitro studies to advance understanding of target biology. * Discovered and characterized novel splice form of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 2 (CRF2). * Generated selective antibody to primate corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (CRF1). Determined receptor distribution in Rhesus monkey brain.

director, commercial research

national ms society

2015-3 - Present · 11 yrs 6 mos

Multiple sclerosis stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS, through our 50-state chapter network, programs, research, and advocacy. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org