Lee Babiss, Ph.D.
Vice President
Division of Preclinical Research and Development
Chair, Roche Genetics Executive
Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.
In September 1998, Dr. Babiss was appointed Vice President of Preclinical Research and Development for Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., in Nutley, New Jersey. In this position, his responsibilities include developing and directing the research strategy for the site and serving as a member of the Pharma Leadership Board, chaired by Hoffmann-La Roche President and CEO Pat Zenner; serving as member of the International Research Executive, chaired by Jonathan Knowles, Ph.D., head of Global Pharmaceutical Research for the Roche Group; and a member of the Global Genetics Board.
More recently, Dr. Babiss was Vice President of Biological Sciences and Genetics at Glaxo Wellcome, in Research Triangle Park, NC. During his tenure with Glaxo, Dr. Babiss’ positions included Group Leader in Cell Biology, where he focused on the development of antisense technology and cancer therapeutics and Head of the Department of Molecular Cell Biology, where he played a key role developing and implementing the corporate Cell Cycle Program. Following the merger of Glaxo Inc. with Burroughs Wellcome in 1994, Dr. Babiss was named a member of the U.S. Research Senior Management Team, which was charged with formulating the company’s U.S. research strategy. In partnership with scientific leaders throughout the organization, Dr. Babiss also worked to create the Glaxo Wellcome Corporate Genetic Strategy, which led to the creation of the company’s Genetics Division.
Lee Babiss attended graduate school at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, in NYC, where he studied with Dr. Harold S. Grinsberg. In 1982, he earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology, studying DNA tumor viruses. He then began his postdoctoral career in the laboratory of Dr. James E. Darnell Jr., at the Rockefeller University in NYC, where he studied the molecular regulation of hepatocyte gene expression. Upon completion of his postdoctoral training, Dr. Babiss was promoted to Assistant Professor in Cell Biology at Rockefeller, where he studied adenovirus genetics.
Abstract: Genetics and Genomics discoveries have traditionally had an impact on the early stages of new medicine discovery, by contributing to target identification and assessment. While much attention has been recently focused on this area with the completion of the sequencing of the Human Genome, Genetics and Genomics insights are having a much broader impact. Knowledge about inter-individual sequence variations in our drug targets and changes in gene expression as a function of disease state or in response to our medicines, are providing novel insights when applied to our preclinical models. Such insights allow for the identification of clinical candidates that will have a greater probability of success in the clinic. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of the various genetic/genomic technology platforms we are using to assess the quality, drug like properties and target profile of our preclinical drug candidates. These include gene profiling in support of toxicogenomics, SNP analysis in support of pharmacogenetics, analyte monitoring, as well as multidimensional drug optimization technologies. To enhance the speed of drug discovery, most of the technology platforms I will discuss have been adapted for high throughput analysis. I also will discuss our use of in silico drug prediction models and issues relating to data management and mining.