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Tell us about your background

I grew up in India and studied for my Bachelor’s degree at India’s premier medical institute – The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). After my BSc, I was delighted to be awarded a prestigious British Chevening scholarship to study a Master’s course in the UK and I selected the MSc Pharmacology course at the University of º£½ÇÂÛ̳. My experience at º£½ÇÂÛ̳ inspired me to continue my pharmacology studies – and specialize in oncology and drug delivery systems – through a PhD.

Why did you choose º£½ÇÂÛ̳?

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to study a Master’s course in the UK. I remember researching Pharmacology courses in the various guides and the course at º£½ÇÂÛ̳ was top of the rankings. I was excited to study in a new country and gain a new set of experiences and friendships.

Where are you now? 

In my current role, I lead the Biologics Engineering & Oncology Targeted Discovery teams at AstraZeneca. I am based at the AstraZeneca R&D site in Gaithersburg, USA. I am accountable for biologics discovery programs across the company and, in oncology, for discovering targeted therapies including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), radioconjugates and small molecule modalities. Earlier in my career, I led the Targeted Therapeutics Unit at Pfizer and Pharmacology teams at the biotech companies Enzon Pharmaceuticals and Immunomedics.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Drug discovery remains a highly motivating and rewarding career choice! It truly takes a ‘village’ to develop a new medicine – sustained contributions from diverse teams with varied expertise. I have been fortunate to be involved in the development of molecules which are now approved or are in clinical development. Each project has its story and whether it’s a success or failure there are lots of learnings that can be applied to future scientific questions. In my career, it has been gratifying to build teams, strategies and platforms to deliver novel molecules.

As a leading Pharmacologist in the field of Oncology, what are some interesting developments to look out for?

It’s an exciting time to be working in the field. I’m excited about the potential of new targeted cancer treatments including antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and radioconjugates. These approaches deliver the therapy direct to tumour cells, enabling cancer cells to be destroyed in a more targeted manner. I’m also excited about how we can harness the power of combining different modalities in oncology to drive deeper responses and transform patient outcomes. Like in all sectors, AI is set to deliver breakthroughs for drug discovery. I’m excited to explore AI-assisted approaches to designing molecules with desirable therapeutic properties.