How did you get interested in Medicinal Chemistry?

It was during my bachelors. I remember perfectly the first time I saw a compound co-crystallized with its protein target and how well it was fitting. In that moment, I became fascinated by the fact that we can design and synthesize molecules that perfectly fit into a protein pocket and exert a biological effect.

Where and when did you obtain your PhD diploma?

I obtained my PhD from the University of Barcelona / IRB Barcelona in 2020. After my PhD, I shifted to industry right away.

After my bachelor, I became interested in finding new methodologies to target intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). IDPs are a class of proteins that do not have a stable tertiary structure, therefore are not amenable to structure-based drug discovery methods. Because of that, these targets have been historically considered to be “undruggable” even if they represent 30-50% of our proteome and are drivers of many diseases. During my PhD, I designed and synthesized small molecules to modulate the function of the intrinsically disordered region of androgen receptor to treat advanced prostate cancer. Tuning the propensity of the IDP to form biomolecular condensates emerged as a promising strategy.

Where are you currently working and what is your current position?

I am currently a senior scientist at Dewpoint Therapeutics, a biotechnology company advancing the knowledge on biomolecular condensates to identify new targets and mechanisms of action across multiple biological pathways to develop new therapies.

I am interested in the intersection between biology and chemistry, deciphering new mechanisms of action to tackle diseases without a current cure and/or treatment. 

How would you explain what your research area is to non-scientists?

The cell is like a factory, where everything needs to work in a regulated manner to deliver a product. However, the cell factory is very crowded and at first glance it seems not very well organized as there are only a few walls and people, departments and machines all share one same open space. So, how can the cell be so efficient in delivering the right products? In 2009, the lab of Anthony Hyman (co-founder of Dewpoint Therapeutics) discovered that cells concentrate activities without the need of building walls by creating a wall-free but separate environment, which we call biomolecular condensates. 

Biomolecular condensates bring all the molecules that are needed to perform an activity together in time and space. For example, a biomolecular condensate for packaging can be created on demand, but only when a product is ready to be packaged. At this moment, all the people, machines, and materials would be brought together, and the product would be put into boxes. Once the job is finished, it would disassemble. 

Later, in 2015, the Hyman lab also discovered that aberrant condensates are hallmarks of diseases with unmet medical needs. His lab focused on neurodegenerative diseases. Subsequently, the lab of Rick Young (also a co-founder of Dewpoint Therapeutics) showed similar results in cancer. I am now studying aberrant condensates in disease to discover new therapies.

What do you like best about your work?

I love the interdisciplinary nature of drug discovery and the constant learning that goes with it. Moreover, drug discovery is a team sport and I enjoy leading and being part of an international multicultural team.

What kind of skills does your work require?

For the technical side of the job, I would say good hypothesis testing, strong data analysis, no fear to innovate and constantly learning. For the people side of the work, excellent communication, pro-activity/leadership and humbleness.

What do you consider your greatest achievement in your scientific career?

To know that the work I do will hopefully deliver novel drugs into the market and help patients. 

Which of your papers are you most proud of and why?

The work that I am most proud of is not part of a paper but a patent. I believe basic research is a must, but I thrive when we can translate our laboratory findings into treatments.

What are the features of a successful PhD student or postdoc?

Resilience and curiosity. I would like to emphasize that a successful PhD or postdoc is not measured by the impact of the papers (at least in industry) but the hard and soft skills one acquires during their PhD.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to know more about your field? 

Reach out to anyone who can tell you more about it! I am personally always happy to discuss science and career development - and I am sure that everyone else is, too! So don’t be shy!

What would you like to ask from other medicinal chemists?

I imagine a world in which everyone is given the right opportunities because of their capabilities and not based on their gender or background. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of work left to do to achieve (gender) equality in science and we can only achieve it if we all work together.

What is the most embarrassing thing you have done in the lab while doing experiments?

The most embarrassing experience was one day during my first summer internship in which, after the lab, I took the subway home and no-one wanted to sit next to me, although the subway was very crowded. Once home, I realised that I was smelling very bad, like rotten fish, as I had been working with large amounts of an amine all day.

What are your recommendations for a book, podcast, website, blog, YouTube channel or film?

• Drug hunter: https://drughunter.com/
• Endpoints news: https://endpts.com/

Which field of medicinal chemistry do you consider the most promising for the future?

The whole pharma world is now investing heavily in RNA therapeutics. Given the large interest in this field, I expect it to yield positive outcomes in the near future.

What would you expect to be the next major breakthrough in medicinal chemistry?

I might be biased since I work on the field of biomolecular condensates, but I would say the modulation of biomolecular condensates with small molecules to address current unmet needs.