Biography

Dr. Josephs (JJ) is the principal of J² m/z Consulting. He received his BSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham in England and completed Post Doctoral research in Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Natural Products Chemistry at the University of California, San Diego and University of California, Berkeley.

After working at ISK Mountain View Research Center as a Natural Products/Medicinal Chemist he joined the Finnigan Corporation (now Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)) as a demonstration chemist after the commercialization of electrospray ionization on triple quadrupole instruments and was involved in the launch of the first 3D ion trap LCMS systems. He then moved to Bristol-Myers Squibb to lead groups involved in multiple aspects of small molecule drug discovery and development over an 18 year period. Conducting structural elucidation of impurities and degradants in process and pharmaceutical development and providing core mass spectrometry support to Drug Discovery.

He was instrumental in the design of high throughput mass spectrometry-based screening assays such as Structural Integrity, Metabolic Stability, CACO2 and PAMPA. Initially using 3D and then later 2D ion traps. These methods were later extended to provide a comprehensive understanding of in vitro and in vivo clearance by combining structural elucidation of metabolites in conjunction with quantitation of metabolites and parent drug. This was facilitated by the introduction of High Resolution Accurate Mass (HRAM) technology.

He led a Discovery Biotransformation group in support of small molecule drug discovery programs targeting Metabolic, Cardiovascular, Oncology and Immunology diseases. Designing and conducting in vitro and in vivo studies to identify, characterize and ameliorate metabolic liabilities within chemotypes to deliver drug candidates for IND submissions.

JJ took the role of Director of marketing for Pharma/BioPharma in the Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Division of TMO. Where he led a team of marketing scientists to define and meet the application needs of Pharma/BioPharma researchers at all stages of Discovery, Development and Manufacturing for all modalities (Small molecules, Large Molecules, Oligonucleotides, etc.). A major emphasis was on the development of HRAM hardware and software to support the discovery and development of large molecules. Through collaboration with Amgen, Pfizer and a multitude of other BioPharma companies he helped develop and implement the Multi Attribute Method (MAM).

Returning to the Pharmaceutical industry JJ took on the role of Head of Bioanalysis, North America at Sanofi supporting all modalities before moving to Genentech where he was Senior Director of Large Molecule Bioanalysis. Supporting all programs in the large molecule portfolio with, bioanalysis, biotransformation and target engagement assays using mass spectrometry and ligand binding assays with a hybrid in house/outsourcing model.

He is an expert with three decades of experience in applying mass spectrometry to all areas of Drug Discovery, Development and Manufacturing with a particular expertise in structural elucidation and DMPK assays.