Replies to post #190099 on Avid Bioservices Inc (CDMO)

[biopharm]

Wook did you notice the "undisclosed" drug that Troy Luster was working on from my original post/links and I also just noticed Troy has updated his profile re: biomarkers

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Troy Luster

Summary:

Experienced oncology research scientist with 7+ years in the biotech industry. Expertise includes discovering/validating novel targets of both antibody and small molecule drugs, performing mechanism of action studies, and identifying PD biomarkers for clinical application. Experience managing research associates, working with urgency in an team environment, managing multiple priorities, and meeting deadlines. Proven key contributor to scientifically rigorous research teams with therapeutic focus on oncology.

Experience

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Senior Scientist, Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
March 2013 – Present (3 years 7 months)
Currently leading CRISPR/Cas9 screening projects to identify regulators of immune checkpoint molecules in murine cancer cell lines and primary mouse T cells.

Previously lead scientific efforts in support of collaborative project with Evotec to develop novel histone demethylase inhibitors. This involved studies to validate epigenetic targets, identify PD biomarkers, and evaluate responder ID strategies using RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9, and tool compounds.
Human Genome Sciences (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline)
Senior Scientist I, Oncology Research Department
Human Genome Sciences (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline)
May 2011 – November 2012 (1 year 7 months) | Washington D.C. Metro Area
Work focused primarily on identifying oncology related targets and developing biologics-based drug conjugates (ADCs & LDCs) for evaluation in pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo model systems.

Responsibilities included: bench work, management of two research associates, planning of small project goals and timelines, development of experimental protocols, review of experimental data, review of business opportunities, consultant for scientific collaborations, documentation of experimental reports, preparation of manuscripts for publication.
Human Genome Sciences
Scientist, Oncology Research Department
Human Genome Sciences
November 2007 – May 2011 (3 years 7 months) | Washington D.C. Metro Area
Worked on pre-clinical studies to evaluate the lead candidate mapatumumab (TRAIL-R1 agonist antibody) in combination with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. This work lead to a first author publication in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Worked on the pre-clinical development of a novel BLyS-fusion toxin targeting malignant B cells. This work lead to a first author publication in PLOS One.

Worked on pre-clinical studies to evaluate the combinatorial effects of lead candidates mapatumumab (TRAIL-R1 agonist antibody) and HGS1029 (small molecule IAP inhibitor).
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Post-Doctoral Fellow
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
August 2003 – October 2007 (4 years 3 months)
Department of Pharmacology - laboratory of the late Philip E. Thorpe, Ph.D.

Work focused on the generation of novel tumor vascular targeting agents for the treatment of solid tumor malignancies.

Determined that a novel phosphatidylserine-specific antibody required the co-factor beta2-glycoprotein I for binding. This work lead to a first author publication in The Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Developed novel dimeric beta2-glycoprotein I molecules to target phosphatidylserine exposed on tumor vasculature endothelial cells. This work lead to US patent #8,956,616 for "Betabody" technology being developed by Peregrine Pharmaceuticals.

Supported in 2006-2007 by an award from the American Cancer Society to study the anti-tumor effects of combining a novel anti-phosphatidylserine antibody with radiation therapy.

Work resulted in 1 first author publication, co-author on 5 additional papers.
Education
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Molecular Biology
1998 – 2003
Cancer Research Training Program, Eppley Cancer Institute, Mentor: Angie Rizzino, Ph.D.

Dissertation: “Transcriptional Regulation of the Fibroblast Growth Factor-4 Gene: Characterization of the Distal Enhancer Element”

Supported by University of Nebraska Medical Center Reichenbach Fellowship, 2001-2003

Studies resulted in 2 first author publications, co-author on 3 additional papers.
Activities and Societies: Member of Student Senate (2001-2003); Student Representative to Eppley Cancer Center Faculty (2002)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
BS, Biological/Biosystems Engineering
1993 – 1997
Publications
Constructs binding to phosphatidylserine and their use in disease treatment
USPTO (#8956616)February 2015
Describes the development beta2-glycoprotein1-Fc fusions (aka "betabodies") to target phosphatidylserine exposed on the surface of lipid bilayers.
Authors:
Troy Luster, Philip Thorpe, Steve King
Fusion toxin BLyS-gel inhibits growth of malignant human B cell lines in vitro and in vivo
PLOS OneOctober 2012
Authors:
Troy Luster, et. al.
Mapatumumab and lexatumumab induce apoptosis in TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2 antibody-resistant NSCLC cell lines when treated in combination with bortezomib
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics2009
Authors:
Troy Luster, et. al.
Plasma protein beta-2-glycoprotein-1 mediates interaction between the anti-tumor monoclonal antibody 3G4 and

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-luster-39b68555

[biopharm]

Wook, Dana Farber newly published PS Targeting patents now must tie into your puzzle pieces of them following you ...especially since Glenn Dranoff was key inventor and with Novartis I wonder how much they got / seeking for unloading their shares of Roche? ..

March 1 2017
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=129099850

August 10 2017 (just published today!!..PS Targeting patent)
https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=133725116

Novartis steps up its efforts in immuno-oncology
Dedicated R&D unit created alongside $750m collaboration with Aduro
30th March 2015
Novartis building
Novartis is planning to boost its cancer immunotherapy pipeline with the creation of a dedicated R&D unit and a $750m collaboration with US biotech Aduro.
The collaboration with California-based Aduro is focused on the development of cancer immunotherapies based on the STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) receptor that - when activated - is through to initiate a range of tumour-specific immune responses.
Novartis is paying $200m upfront for rights to the programme along with an equity investment of $25m. Assuming the alliance proceeds according to plan, Aduro could also get additional payments of $500m and another $25m equity investment.
Meanwhile, Novartis has decided to put all of its immuno-oncology assets into one basket, with the creation of a research team that will be headed by new hire Glenn Dranoff, a leading immunologist formerly working at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in the US.
Novartis has been active in the development of cancer immunotherapies for several years and has already advanced chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) drug CTL109 into phase II trials and has two PD1-targeting checkpoint inhibitors - LAG3 and TIM3 - scheduled to start clinical trials this year.
The company is lagging behind its rivals in the latter category however - with Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck & Co already having PD1-targeting drugs on the market and additional candidates from AstraZeneca, Merck KGaA/Pfizer and Roche also in mid- to late-stage clinical development.
"Immunotherapy is one of the exciting frontiers in oncology today," said Mark Fishman, president of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.
While current approaches with checkpoint inhibitors and T-cell modulation are potent - they only work in select tumour types, he added. On the other hand, Aduro's STING agonists "have the potential to fully activate the immune system to attack a broader range of tumours," said Fishman.
Aduro's novel small molecule cyclic dinucleotides (CDN's) have been shown to generate an immune response in preclinical models that specifically attacks tumour cells.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Aduro will lead commercialisation activities and book sales in the US, with Novartis taking the lead elsewhere. The two companies will share in profits in the US, Japan and major European countries.
The US company also has a $850m collaboration in place with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for the development of immunotherapies to treat prostate and lung cancer.


http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/novartis_steps_up_its_efforts_in_immuno-oncology_696214?SQ_DESIGN_NAME=2