SUMMARY

Research Scientist with extensive experience in drug discovery, assay development, target validation, and protein chemistry in multiple therapeutic areas. Expert in HTS automation. Co-author of 11 papers and numerous meeting presentations in the fields of Alzheimer’s Disease and Osteoporosis.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

ELISA, FRET, SPA, ECL Immunoassays, RIA, SDS-PAGE, Western blots, PCR, RT-PCR, Antibody characterization and epitope mapping, Optimizing drug delivery, formulating proteins, Protein purification, Development of PK/PD models, Automated Data Analysis (HTS, HDT), Cell culture and stable cell line generation, MALDI-TOF Mass spectrometry, SELDI, Analytical HPLC and LC, spectroscopy, Protein derivatization, Development of Cell Based Assays (CBA), Proliferation Assays, In-vivo delivery models (Rat, Canine, Guinea Pig), Enzymology, GLP/GMP Compliant Research and Documentation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mesoscale Discovery, Gaithersburg, MD. 2010-2011

Scientist, Assay Development,

Utilizing MSD's proprietary ECL immunoassay platform, I developed second generation multiplex assays in Alzheimer's Disease field for assessing CSF biomarkers of disease progression. Areas of research included assessing sensitivity and linearity in typical clinical and discovery research matrices, optimizing product characteristics, interaction of various isoforms of Abeta, validating manufacturing specifications to ensure product stability, reproducible performance, and establishing assay controls for eventual use in large scale research studies.

Wyeth Research (Now Pfizer), Monmouth Junction, NJ. 1996-2010

Senior Research Scientist, Neuroscience,

Performed research on multiple Alzheimer’s Disease projects that measured protease inhibitor activity of compounds from corporate libraries and combinatorial arrays. Validated novel targets prior to full screening campaigns. Responsible for providing bioanalytical support for chemical development of leads. Supervised and mentored two junior scientists.

• Created and validated secondary and tertiary screening assays [ELISAs, Toxicity assays, Western blot assays, and radiolabelled cellular assays] that enabled lead compound optimization (SAR).

• Developed and managed several compound screens that identified lead compounds in 2 separate programs.

• Converted several low throughput cell-based assays into automated assays using robotics and automated data analysis.

• Developed characterization assays that provided data for FDA NDA submission.

• Developed data management tools that enabled SAR and rational drug design.

• Expressed full length proteins from cDNA encoding novel receptors.

• Co-managed a research team that discovered several classes of successful BACE inhibitors which were subsequently developed into clinical candidates.

• Investigated novel mechanism of amyloid removal via upregulation of brain fibrinolysis and showed pharmacological activity of test compounds in-vivo.

Designed and maintained in-lab databases of compound characteristics which then drove lead compound selection.

Unigene Laboratories, Fairfield, NJ 1991-1996

Associate Research Scientist, Protein Chemistry Department

Performed research to develop novel oral formulations of salmon calcitonin (sCT). Used RIA, ELISA, and HPLC analysis of samples generated by in-vivo and in-vitro drug transport models to determine delivery potential of formulations. Developed a protein purification method that provided source of Endothelin Cleaving Enzyme (ECE) for a Cleavage/ELISA ECE screen that Unigene marketed as part of a packaged target screen to find new candidates for blood pressure lowering compounds.

• Generated bioavailability and stability data to support a successful ANDA application for biosimilar sCT using procedures I designed and executed.

• Developed and validated an RIA to quantitate sCT in rat, dog, or human plasma.

• Developed fluorescence derivatization methods that enabled HPLC detection of micromolar concentrations of peptide.

• Developed a canine infusion model and an Intestinal/Venous Access Port model for calcitonin distribution and metabolism following oral dosing.

• Developed CACO2 cell paracellular transport assay for screening potential transport enhancers which was used to develop protein formulations.

• Developed reproducible purification for generating enzyme that was used in an automated high throughput screen for inhibitors.

EDUCATION

B.S. Microbiology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 1991

AWARDS

2009 Above and Beyond Award (Wyeth)

2009 Paper of the Year (Wyeth) Co-Author on PNAS paper.

2007 Above and Beyond Award (Wyeth)

PUBLICATIONS:

Available at http://www.linkedin.com/in/erikjwagner

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