Nicolas Molinie

Background

About Nicolas Molinie

Focused on the deregulations in cancers, I’ve acquired an extensive experience and expertise in the oncology drug discovery & development, from fundamental research to clinical development. I combined my theoretical training with substantial practical experience in academic research projects as well as in drug discovery programs. From target identification and validation, through Hit to Lead and Lead Optimization until clinical phases, I’ve been working on the pharmacology and biomarkers of more than 5 projects in Oncology and Immuno-Oncology. During my PhD at Ecole Polytechnique, my research project explored the role of the actin cytoskeleton in triggering cell proliferation of cancer cells. My work led to the discovery of a new signaling pathway that is responsible for cell transformation and used as a prognostic factor. It led to the publication of many papers and new collaborations with academic labs and pharma companies. As a pharmacologist in an oncology drug discovery program at Servier, I was responsible for the development of new assays to steer the project. To ease compounds screening, we developed a new target hitting assay based on target stabilization with confocal microscopy. We also study the mechanism of action of the protein of interest to support de drug discovery program. By creating new cellular models, we could implement innovation solutions that were crucial for the transition from Hit to Lead to Lead Optimization. I was also leading the research on the MoA of our target to anticipate potential issues. My role was to generate innovative ideas and see them through to implementation. For those purposes, I managed two research associates and initiate many internal and external collaborations to steer the project to a timely completion. As a project Leader in the Translational Medicine department of Servier in the Clinical Biomarker Development, I’m responsible for the implementation of the Biomarker strategy to support decision making in several Oncology and Immuno-oncology projets. I’m managing all the assays development that are performed internally or externally. For this purpose, I’m in contact with many CROs for their identification and then for the assay transfer, development, qualification and validation thus ensuring biomarkers are supporting clinical endpoints.