William Kaplan
Principal Scientist, Pharmaceuticals
Moseley,VA
Summary
Knowledgeable Principal Scientist with expertise in preclinical drug development from program inception through IND-enabling execution phases. Led cross-functional teams at DeepCure and Merck. Proven track record in delivering clinical candidates, program strategy, and medicinal chemistry. Skilled in managing remote CROs teams and improving program operating efficiency to meet milestones.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Principal Scientist
DeepCure
Boston, MA
02.2022 - 07.2024
- Project leader of cross-functional team; developed brain-penetrant kinase inhibitors
- Leveraged structure- and ligand-based AI design tools to design high-quality lead compounds with optimized potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties for successful progression into preclinical development.
- Managed remote CRO team of 15+ chemists, ensuring on-schedule completion of deliverables and API requirements
- Guided team of ML/AI engineers to dramatically accelerate novel discoveries leading to identification of advanced chemical series
- Spearheaded innovative and cost-effective solutions such as high impact HTS efforts, fixed a major AI compound design flaw, and improved assay turnaround time by 70%
Senior Scientist
Merck & Co.
Boston, MA
06.2017 - 02.2022
- Aided LRRK2 inhibitor program through clinical candidate declaration
- Led sub-team in late lead optimization phase - resulted in discovery of our most advanced chemical matter with 70mg QD projected human dose
- Orchestrated compound advancement through critical path assays
- Authored patents and publications
Education
Ph.D. - Medicinal Chemistry
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 09.2012 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Biology
The College of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA 09.2008 - 05.2012
Skills
Synthetic organic chemistry
Analytical chemistry
Medicinal chemistry
Program Leadership
Competitive intelligence review
Patent/publication writing and analysis
PK and PD optimization
CRO management, selection, contracting
Defining program strategy
Target validation
In vitro & in vivo study design
Design-make-test cycle
undefinedPublications
- Discovery and Optimization of N-Heteroaryl Indazole LRRK2 Inhibitors, Logan, K., Kaplan, W., Simov, V., et al., J. Med. Chem., 2024, 67, 18, 16807
- Development of Scalable Routes to 1-Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentylpyrazoles, Zarate, C., Ardonlino, M., Morriello, G., Logan, K., Kaplan, W., et al., Org. Process Res. Dev., 2021, 25, 3, 642-627
- Modular Total Synthesis and Cell-Based Anticancer Activity Evaluation of Ouabagenin and Other Cardiotonic Steroids with Varying Degrees of Oxygenation, Khatri, H. R., Bhattari, B., Kaplan, W., et al., JACS, 2019, 141, 4849
- Concise Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Cardenolides 19Hydroxysarmentogenin and Trewianin Aglycone, Kaplan, W., Khatri, H. R., Nagorny, P., JACS, 2016, 138, 7194
- Concise Enantioselective Synthesis of Oxygenated Steroids via Sequential Copper(II)-Catalyzed Michael Addition/Intramolecular Aldol Cyclization Reactions, Cichowicz, N., Kaplan, W., et al., JACS, 2015, 137, 14341
- Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Directed Regioselective Acetalization of Carbohydrate-Derived 1,2-diols, Mensah, E., Camasso, N., Kaplan, W., Nagorny, P., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2013, 59, 12932
- Carbonate Templated Self-Assembly of an Alkylthiolate Bridged Cadmium Macrocycle, Lai, W., Berry, S. M., Kaplan, W., et al., Inorg. Chem., 2013, 52, 2286
Patents
- 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-ones as BET bromodomain inhibitors and therapeutic methods using the same, DeepCure Inc., 2024, 63/709,059
- Adenosine A2A and A2B receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions and use thereof, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., 2023, PCT/US23/081075
- IL4I1 inhibitors and methods of use, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., 2022, WO/2022/232333
- 1-Pyrazolyl, 5-, 6-disubstituted indazole derivatives as LRRK2 inhibitors, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., 2020, WO/2020/247298
- N-heteroaryl indazole derivatives as LRRK2 inhibitors, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., 2020, WO/2020/092136
Timeline
Principal Scientist
DeepCure
02.2022 - 07.2024
Senior Scientist
Merck & Co.
06.2017 - 02.2022
Ph.D. - Medicinal Chemistry
University of Michigan
09.2012 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Biology
The College of William And Mary
09.2008 - 05.2012
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