Primary investigators
Marco L. Lolli
Contacts: marco.lolli@unito.it
+39 011 6707180
I am Medicinal Chemist, an internationally recognized expert in hit-to-led optimization processes and in the design of bioactive compounds using innovative bioisosteric tools.
At the present I am Associate Professor in Medicinal Chemistry at the Dept of Science and Drug technology of the University of Turin (Italy). In February 2022, I acquired the qualification as Full Professor in Medicinal Chemistry (CHIM08-03D1). On the translational side, I cover the CEO position at Drug Discovery and Clinic (DDC) s.r.l., an UniTo SpinOff focused in leading to clinic for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and COVID-19 a powerful Dihydroorotare Dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor we discovered.
Education
- MD in Chemistry at the University of Milan, then visiting scientist in prestigious national (Istituto Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Bracco Industria Chimica s.p.a) and foreigners (College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, (USA), School of Pharmacy - University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison (WI, USA)) research institutions.
- MEDSynth group (www.medsynth.unito.it, co-founder).
I am cofounder of a research group named MEDSynth (www.medsynth.unito.it) effective in each step of the design of bioactive molecules until preclinical level. Research fields: broad-spectrum antivirals (SARS-CoV-2, ...)), cancer (Leukemia, Breast and Prostatic cancer), neglected diseases (Malaria, Leishmaniasis, ….) and Neurotransmission (Gaba and Glu).
Technological transfer
- Drug Discovery and Clinic (DDC) s.r.l. (UniTo SpinOff, 2020, CEO & co-founder, www.DDCpharmaceutical.com). Mission: to lead a new patented hDHODH inhibitor until human clinical trials for curing Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and COVID-19.
- Beenext s.r.l. (UniTo SpinOff, 2013, Cofonder and former CEO, www.beenext.it). Mission: introduce in the market a revolutionary parallel synthesis apparatus named Arachno™ (www.arachnoscience.com), distributed worldwide by FALC Instruments (www.falcinstruments.it).
- PI: National (PRIN, FIRS, INTRA-P…) and International (7FP-SME TAKTIC project, High Priority Italy-Sweden, NATO, …) programs.
- Visiting Professor in Eu (Denmark, Sweden, UK) and no-Eu countries (Bolivia, India) countries.
- Erasmus resp: Bradford (UK), Gent (B), Lund (S), Copenhagen (DK), University of San Andreas (La Paz, Bolivia), Nirma University (India).
Expertise
Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Design, Synthetic Chemistry, Metabolism, Bioisosterism.
Publications: 53
Patents: 6
Scopus: Citations: 952; H. Index: 20
WOS, Citations: 845; H. Index: 20, position: first 27% last 28%, corresponding 22%
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3030-3163
Oral presentations: 13
Awards: 6
Contacts: donatella.boschi@unito.it
+39 011 6707195
Background
I have a broad background in Drug Design, in particular on use heterocyclic chemistry to design small molecules blocking receptors as well as enzymes.
Recently, my research at MEDSynth, a 7FP winner group deeply involved in Drug Design across several collaborative projects with Academic and worldwide pharmaceutical industries, is directed in particular in the development of small molecules active on kinases to fight cancer, inflammation and immunosuppression.
As co-Investigator on several funded grants, I laid the groundwork for the proposed research. In addition, I successfully administered the projects (e.g. staffing, research protections, budget), collaborated with other researchers from different countries (US, UK, SW, CA, DK), and produced with them several peer-reviewed publications.
As a result of these previous experiences, I am aware of the importance of frequent communication among project members and of constructing a realistic research plan, timeline, and budget plan. In summary, I have a demonstrated record of accomplished and productive research projects in an area of high relevance for cancer research.
Education
- June 1993: PhD in Pharmaceutical Science, (EQF level 8), Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy cycle V
- July 1993: MSc in Pharmacy (EQF level 7), Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy. Final mark: 110/110 summa cum laude.
- Febrary 1989 MSc in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (EQF level 7), Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy. Final mark: 110/110.
Work experiences
11/2020 – present: Founder of Drug Discovery and Clinic s.r.l., Turin Italy
Drug Discovery & Clinic (DDC) s.r.l. is a UniTo Spin-Off with the mission of lead a new patented hDHODH inhibitor until human clinical trials for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and COVID-19.
From 2001 -present Associate Professor, Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy.
From 2008 Reviewer for Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ChemMedChem, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry.
From 2014 Reviewer for SIR project valuation for Italian Ministry of Scientific Research.
2000 - 2001 Medicinal Chemistry Researcher at University of Turin.
1998 - 2000 Medicinal Chemistry Researcher at University of Eastern Piedmont.
1993 - 1998 Medicinal Chemistry Researcher at University of Turin.
Other experiences and Professional Memberships
1997 Scientific secretariat of the First Italian Swiss Meeting in Medicinal Chemistry,Turin 23-26/9/’97.
From 1999 Member of teaching staff of the Master program titled "Chemistry and Drug Technologies" of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Turin University.
2001 - 2015 Present in the teaching staff of the Master program titled “Pharmacy” of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Turin University.
2001-2011 Member of Scientific Board of the Doctorate School of Science and High Technology.
From 2008 International Mobility Coordinator for the Pharmacy Faculty and DSTF.
From 2010 Member of the Specialisation School of Hospital Pharmacy.
2012-2017 Vice-dean of the Master program titled "Chemistry and Drug Technologies".
From 10/2020 PhD tutor at the Doctorate School of University of Turin, a course in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Sciences.
Skills
Communication skills: Excellent written and good communication skills developed during research experiences. Good teaching skills acquired during teaching, supplementary teaching and student support. Excellent scientific communication skills.
Organisational / managerial skills: High organizational skills acquired during the research work. Remarkable ability to work in groups and to interface with professionals of different training, evidenced by the numerous active collaborations. Ability to manage research projects and collaborations with other research groups in Italy and abroad. Ability to organize scientific meetings and international conferences.
Job-related skills: Her expertise is on Drug Design, in particular on use of heterocyclic chemistry to design small molecules blocking receptors as well as enzymes. Her research was directed in the development of small molecules active on cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, cancer, immunosuppression and parasitic infections.
Pubblications
60 scientific articles, 2 patents, 1019 citations, 20 h-index (Scopus 03/2022).