NAFSIKA HELEN GEORGOPAPADAKOU, Ph.D.

242 Des Chenaux Ch., Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 9E5, Canada

Email ng629370@westpost.net; T 450 510-9546; F 450 510-0172; C 514 796-9546
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PROFILE
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology preclinical research manager with over 25 years
experience, primarily in anti-infectives. Developed and implemented drug discov
ery strategies, including NIH grant applications; initiated and led research pro
jects; provided input to INDs; led collaborations with corporate partners; mento
red colleagues and subordinates.
Played key role in the discovery and development of the monocyclic *-lactam aztr
eonam (Azactam(R)) and the cephalosporin-quinolone conjugate Ro 23-9424. Co-disc
overed and patented: a new class of *-lactamase inhibitors. Also, a fungal-speci
fic histone deacetylase (Hos2) and a Hos2 inhibitor (MG3290) which potentiates a
ntifungal azoles and is currently in clinical development as MGCD290.
Expertise and experience in (bio)chemistry, enzymology, cell biology, molecular
biology. Deep, multi-disciplinary understanding of the drug discovery and develo
pment process. Effective and consistently productive team leader; creative, ener
getic, flexible, results-oriented. Excellent interpersonal and communication ski
lls (over 30 invited talks). Strong publication record (close to 200 research pa
pers, abstracts and reviews; two books).
Dual citizenship (US, GR/EU).
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Preclinical Research Consultant, Anti-infectives (2008-present)
Corporate clients: Novexel Pharmaceuticals (Romainville, France), Janssen Pharma
ceutica (Beerse, Belgium).
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology (Phil
adelphia, PA, USA)
Adjunct Professor (1999-present)
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES (http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.
cws_home/623026/description)
Bimonthly review journal published by Elsevier Science, UK (2008 Impact Factor 9
.4, 5-year Impact Factor 7.5)
Founder and Editor-in-Chief (1997-2009)
NOVABAY PHARMACEUTICALS (Emeryville. California, USA)
Vice President, Research (2007-2008)
Led preclinical research (Medicinal Chemistry and Biology). Developed and imp
lemented strategy, recruited scientists, introduced a new anti-infective discove
ry project.
Led collaboration on topical anti-infective N-chloroamines with Alcon. Collab
oration included development of a lead N-chloroamine, NVC-422.
Worked closely with Business Development towards in-licensing antibacterial ta
rgets and compounds. Provided insights and competitive intelligence on anti-inf
ectives.
Prepared presentations for scientific conferences and corporate meetings with
potential investors and corporate partners.
METHYLGENE INC. (Montreal, Canada)
Vice President, Infectious Diseases (2003-2006)
Initiated antifungal project based on company's histone deacetylase (HDAC) inh
ibitor platform. Co-discovered a new fungal HDAC target whose deletion sensitiz
es fungi to antifungal azoles and a fungal-specific HDAC inhibitor which potenti
ates antifungal azoles in vitro and in vivo.
Led two collaborations: with Merck (class C *-lactamase inhibitors that potent
iate *-lactam antibacterials) and with Taiho (mammalian HDAC inhibitors with ant
i-oncotic activity). Taiho collaboration included clinical development of a lea
d compound, MGCD0103 (MG5837).
Provided scientific leadership, insights and competitive intelligence in other
research programs (multitarget kinases, non-oncology HDAC inhibitors). Prepare
d presentations for scientific conferences and corporate meetings with potential
 investors and corporate partners.
Formulated strategy for transitioning antifungal project from preclinical to c
linical research. Drafted brochures for out-licensing, IND.
NEWBIOTICS INC. (San Diego, CA, USA)
Senior Director, Life Sciences (2001-2003)
Led three research groups: oncology, enzymology/biochemistry, infectious disea
ses.
Integrated biology with chemistry in the design and preclinical development of
antimicrobial and anticancer agents based on company's Enzyme-Catalyzed Therape
utic Activation (ECTA) platform.
DUPONT PHARMACEUTICALS (Wilmington, DE, USA)
Principal Scientist (1997-2001)
Recruited scientists and initiated antifungal research projects (inositol phos
phoceramide synthase, N-myristoyltransferase, ergosterol synthesis) that include
d access to natural products through outside collaborations. Directed developme
nt of assays suitable for high throughput screening, transfer to Lead Discovery
group, lead follow-up and evaluation.
Worked closely with Product Planning and Acquisition group towards in-licensin
g antifungals: sordarins from Glaxo (GSK), aureobasidins from Takara-Shuzo and F
K-463 (micafungin) from Fujisawa (Astellas).
Acted as a resource within infectious diseases, providing competitive intellig
ence to senior management.
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, Dept. of Molecular Biology (Princeton, NJ, USA
Visiting Fellow (1995-1997)
Upgraded knowledge and skills in molecular biology
Investigated ceramide-mediated signal transduction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
.
Preclinical Research Consultant, Anti-infectives (1995-1997)
Corporate clients: Affymax, Bayer AG, Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, ISIS Pharmaceutical
s, Panlabs Inc., Procter and Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Schering Plough, Versicor I
nc.
HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE INC., Roche Research Center (Nutley, NJ, USA
Distinguished Research Leader (1992-1995)
Directed research in the post-translational modification of p21ras proteins, i
ncluding assay development and inhibitor design.
Proposed molecular targets (eukaryotic topoisomerase II and protein tyrosine k
inase) and strategy for anticancer drug design.
Research Leader (1988-1992)
Directed several projects in antibacterial research: initiation factor 2 (IF-
2), elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), bacterial transport of quinolones, *-lactams a
nd *-lactam-quinolone conjugates, mechanism of action and resistance of *-lacta
m-quinolone conjugates.
Worked closely with Anti-Infective Chemistry group in the design and evaluatio
n of new antibacterials, of which one (Ro 23-9424) entered phase I clinical tria
ls.
Acted as a resource within infectious disease research. Provided competitive
intelligence to senior management.
Research Investigator (1985-1988)
Developed mode-of-action based screens: replicative DNA, RNA, and protein bios
ynthesis assays in permeabilized cells.
Established mode of action of (2,3)-*-methylene penams (cyclopropylpenams), qu
inolones and quinolone analogs, cephalosporin-quinolone conjugates.
Research Group Chief (1984-1985)
Examined inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus DNA gyrase by quinolones; correla
ted with antibacterial activity.
Advised on bacterial cell wall biosynthesis projects: peptidoglycan transpepti
dase, DD-carboxypeptidase, penicillin-binding proteins
E.R. SQUIBB & SONS INC., Squibb Inst. Medical Research (Princeton, NJ USA)
Senior Research Investigator 1980-1984
Developed assays for cholesterol biosynthesis, particularly hydroxy-3-methylgl
utaryl coenzyme A reductase, in human fibroblasts.
Developed cell-based assays for inhibitors of ergosterol synthesis in S. cerev
isiae and Candida albicans.
Developed biochemical assays for chitin and glucan biosynthesis in S. cerevisi
ae and C.albicans; tested antifungals and rationally designed inhibitors.
Developed mode-of-action based screens for bioactive microbial products.
Research Investigator (1977-1980)
Contributed to the clinical development of aztreonam by providing key preclini
cal information that pointed to its advantages and limitations.
Established mode of action of monobactams: binding to penicillin-binding prot
eins (PBPs), effects on penicillin-sensitive enzymes and on cell morphology.
Surveyed bacterial PBPs and correlated binding of *-lactam antibiotics with an
tibacterial activity.
Examined the active site of Streptomyces R61 DD-carboxypeptidase and its inter
action with monobactams.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Biological Laboratories (Cambridge, MA, USA)
Research Fellow in Biology (1976-1977); Advisor: Jack L. Strominger, M.D.)
Research Project: Interaction of penicillin with Bacillus subtilis DD-carboxy
peptidase.
YALE UNIVERSITY, Chemistry Dept. (New Haven, CT, USA)
Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry (1971-1975); Advisor: A. Ian Scott, Ph.D.
Research Projects: Biosynthesis of the aromatic polyketide 6-methylsalicylic a
cid. Biosynthesis of the tetrapyrrole ring of vitamin B12.
MILLS COLLEGE (Oakland, CA, USA); 1968-1971
B.A. with honors in Chemistry (minor in Biology).
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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Microbiology (Elected Fellow, 1992)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (1977)
American Association for Cancer Research (1994)
American Chemical Society (1977)
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1977)
American Society for Microbiology (1977)
PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
Available upon request
PUBLICATIONS, ABSTRACTS, INVITED TALKS
Available upon request
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