Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Awards
Community Service
Section name
Timeline
Generic

Jean-Luc V. Tran

Mount Laurel,NJ

Summary

  • Results-driven Scientist and Strategic Leader with more than 15 years of experience in drug discovery and translational medicine, recognized for expertise in cancer metabolism and immune modulation as well as various metabolic diseases. Proven success in leading cross-functional teams to develop innovative strategies that integrate preclinical models with biomarker discovery and clinical insights to accelerate the development of novel therapeutics. Strong background in managing complex projects involving target validation and candidate selection ensures alignment with organizational goals while driving scientific excellence. Committed to leveraging extensive knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology to contribute effectively to the advancement of next-generation therapies across multiple therapeutic areas.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Freelance Consultant-Drug Discovery

TRANJLL.LLC.
02.2022 - Current
  • Scientific Advisor for Stealth mode startup:
  • Diabetes/Obesity/Lipids metabolism/ NALFD-NASH-Fibrosis
  • Endo-Endocrine homeostasis.
  • Autoimmune diseases (IBD, COPD, Lupus, RA, Psoriasis)
  • Kidney diseases (AKI, CKD-Diabetic, Lupus kidney nephritis)
  • Pancreatic beta cells health/diseases
  • Stem cell therapy for T1D and late T2D.
  • Immuno-oncology/metabolism oncology
  • In vivo pharmacology (pk/pd)
  • Animal models development (T1D, Inflammation, Nash, metabolic syndrome (T2D, Obesity, Dyslipidemia), oncology, CKD/AKI, dermatology)
  • Ex Vivo tissue assays development (human and animals)
  • Toxicology (mouse/rat/dog/mini-pig/nhp)

VP-Head of R&D

Alphina Therapeutics
08.2022 - 08.2024
  • Head of biology/pharmacology/toxicology in cancer metabolism, synthetic lethality, auto-immune diseases, immuno-metabolism, lipid metabolism.
  • Led discovery research teams and strategy from target identification to clinical lead optimization, prioritizing programs for various genetic targets.
  • Refined therapeutic workstreams and candidate evaluation strategies from early-stage discovery to IND.
  • Established roadmap and capabilities for balanced infrastructure using internal expertise and external resources; drove execution of research programs leveraging CROs and academic partners.
  • Provided insights on early target prioritization and disease expansion across teams.
  • Fostered scientific excellence and an open culture of ideation and innovation.
  • Delivered key data packages impacting pipeline milestones and presented updates for regulatory submissions and publications.
  • Expanded Drug Discovery initiatives while managing talent recruitment, development, mentoring, and accountability within the team.

Head of IBD Therapeutics Incubator

IBD Therapeutics Incubator: IBD Foundation
04.2022 - 08.2022
  • Built incubator from scratch.
  • Mapped Incubator operations.
  • Established web domain for IBD Therapeutics Incubator.
  • Launched incubator globally with Marketing team.
  • Set up Therapeutics Research planning and RFP for novel drug targets.
  • Initiated contact with academic IBD research experts.
  • Identified IBD KOLs and formed advisory board for Incubator.
  • Managed CRO studies through contracts.
  • Defined incubator deliverables, goals, and patient benefit rationale.
  • Oversaw timely execution of research activities and tracked progress.
  • Provided input on drug target alignment with RFP scope and selection criteria.
  • Guided applicants in proposal management, reviews, and funding agreements.

Chief Scientist/Sr. Director: Boston Science and Tech Hub (Head of External Innovative and Drug Discovery Hub)

LEO Pharma, Inc.
07.2020 - 02.2022
  • Oversight of strategic research for US and collaboration with drug discovery in Denmark.
  • Led strategic planning, direction, and technical input for business strategy.
  • Communicated strategy developments, provided executive updates, prioritized initiatives, escalated roadblocks.
  • Built communication channels across units to ensure collaboration and achieve objectives.
  • Reported on industry trends and emerging technologies for competitive advantage.
  • Initiated collaborations with academic experts to identify novel drug targets.
  • Oversaw clinical studies with academic partners (Harvard/MIT/Umass/UCSF/UC-Davis) for biomarker reading and target discovery.
  • Ensured timely delivery of collaboration projects within budget.
  • Identified new collaborations to accelerate strategic research direction.
  • Explored new business opportunities for technology licensing and potential IP partnerships.

Sr. Scientific Investigator: Division of Innate Immunity Research Unit

GSK, Inc.
09.2015 - 07.2020
  • Develop scientific strategies for advancing drug discovery programs.
  • Build valuable pipeline product portfolio.
  • Manage programs including timelines, costs, and deliverables.
  • Lead drug discovery from pre-clinical to clinical stages.
  • Oversee In Vitro/In Vivo Pharmacology and PK/PD biomarkers.
  • Focus on Immuno-Oncology and various diseases including autoimmune and metabolic syndrome.
  • Design studies, analyze data, and document evidence for candidate selection.
  • Translate preclinical findings from rodents to NHP for better human application.
  • Ensure proof of mechanism in study design for candidate selection.
  • Oversee pharmacology/DMPK/toxicology including CRO outsourcing.
  • Collaborate across research teams for drug advancement and dose prediction.
  • Expand indications for existing drug pipelines into new disease areas.
  • Identify new drug targets for unmet needs in alignment with R&D strategies.
  • Act as liaison between partner matrix and research units.
  • Lead external collaborations with academics and CROs effectively.
  • Manage vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and project management with over 15 years of experience.
  • Demonstrate strong leadership within cross-functional teams.
  • Cultivate junior scientists through established internship program.
  • Experience in patent writing and collaboration with attorneys.
  • Invent formulations to enhance compound solubility for tumor-selective delivery.

Sr. Scientific Investigator (lead Biologist/pharmacologist): Division of CVMED

Pfizer, Inc.
01.2012 - 09.2015
  • Lead Diabesity drug targets ID and validation to align with franchise goals: Pancreatic Islets, Incretins, Skeletal Muscles, Liver, Adipose biology, Immuno-inflammation, insulin resistance, islet dysfunction, NAFLD/NASH/Fibrosis.
  • Evaluate drug target opportunities and strategies for drug development across various therapeutic areas.
  • Direct biologist and in vivo pharmacology for diabetes and cardiovascular drug discovery: NAFLD/NASH, T1D, T2D, Metabolic Syndromes.
  • Investigate animal models for efficacy and PK/PD of early drug targets to advance clinical translation.
  • Oversee study design, execution, data analysis, and translation.
  • Employ novel technologies like stem cell therapy for T1D and vaccination to prevent T1D.
  • Develop encapsulated pouch for islets/stem cells protection during in vivo transplantation and ex-vivo assessment.
  • Establish humanized-xenograft pancreatic islets in rodent models for diabetes pharmacology assessment.

In Vivo Pharmacology/biology Lead (Metabolic Dis)

MERCK & CO. INC.
01.2004 - 12.2011
  • Led research on pancreatic beta cell dysfunctions in late stage T2D.
  • Directed in vivo pharmacology for T2D, T1D, obesity, CVRM, MASLD/MASH.
  • Conducted due diligence to evaluate diabetes pre-clinical candidates and competitors’ compounds; designed experiments, analyzed data, and presented recommendations.
  • Identified and validated new targets for diabetes, obesity, and CVD objectives.
  • Investigated efficacy, safety, toxicology, and PK/PD of small molecules and biologics in preclinical and post-market settings.
  • Expanded disease indications for drug pipelines including NAFLD/NASH/Fibrosis and diabetic chronic kidney diseases.
  • Possessed extensive knowledge of incretin hormones (GLP-1/PYY/GIP) related to Januvia/Janumed.
  • Collaborated with neurodegenerative and oncology franchises on project integration.

Research Associate Scientist / Surgical Research Manager

COOPER HOSPITAL-UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
01.1998 - 01.2004
  • Managed projects, ensured compliance with specifications and regulations.
  • Transplanted GVHD, studied organ rejection mechanisms in rat models.
  • Investigated toxic effects of bio-degradable glue and mitral valve sutures in animals.
  • Conducted bioengineering of skin using human micro-vascular and stem cells for healing responses.
  • Engineered artificial kidney, evaluated function with polymers in large animals.
  • Utilized ELISA, Western blotting, PCR, and immunohistochemistry for biomarker analysis.
  • Coordinated research projects; performed surgery, anesthesia, histopathology, tissue culture, and immunological analyses.
  • Prepared abstracts and manuscripts for publication; maintained lab supplies and safety protocols.

Research Development Assistant

DEXALL BIOMEDICAL LABORATORY
01.1997 - 01.1998
  • Developed Elisa kits for Salmonella, E-coli, H-pylori. Conducted SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, Dot Blot, Strip-line, Elisa, EIA, purified antibodies, HRP and biotin conjugation. Managed dialysis and colloidal gold processes while ensuring compliance with GLP and GMP regulations.

Education

M.S. - Biology

Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ
06.2002

B.A. - Biology

Western Maryland College
Westminster, MD
05.1997

Skills

  • Team leadership
  • Decision-making
  • Critical thinking
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Complex Problem-solving
  • Strategic planning
  • Business development
  • Results-driven
  • Operations management
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Process improvement
  • Negotiation and persuasion
  • Training and mentoring
  • Presentations
  • Staff development
  • Performance monitoring
  • Budget oversight
  • Data analysis
  • Corporate communications
  • Performance metrics analysis
  • Partnerships and affiliations
  • Forecasting
  • Recruiting and hiring
  • Market research
  • Portfolio optimization
  • Proposals and presentations
  • Cross-functional team leadership
  • Performance monitoring and evaluation
  • Innovation management
  • Operational leadership
  • Procedure implementation
  • Program oversight
  • Report preparation

Awards

2017 GSK Exceptional Scientific Award Recipient, 2017 patent Inventor for discovery of IV formulation for systemic delivery for Immuno-Oncology, Award for Excellence: recognition of exemplary efforts and due diligence as serving as chair for the Diabetes & Obesity Departments’ Safety, Award for Excellence: Developed a novel assay that ultimately reduces cost by 50% (blood insulin), Special Award Stock Option for completing the target mechanism and pre-clinical candidate delivery (GPR119), Special Achievement Award (Merck & Co., Inc.): Discovered and characterized more robust polygenic rodent models for metabolic disorders: Diabetes and Obesity., Patent Agent: Licata & Tyrrell P.C - Marlton, NJ, US, Patent Inventors: Jean-Luc V. Tran, Charles W. Hewitt Application #: 20050221421 Class: 435069100 (USPTO), Research Achievement Award (Robert Wood Johnson-UMDNJ), Research Achievement Award (Robert Wood Johnson-UMDNJ), Invitation Member of New York Academy of Sciences

Community Service

Cooper Hospital and Immigration Dept Camden NJ, Mentoring Camden kids, Camden, NJ, Interpreter, Refugee Camp. Bataan, Philippines, Interpreter, Site II-Refugee Camp, Prat Chin Buri, Thailand

Section name

  • Strategic thinker/Lead drug discovery
  • Modernized Research Technologies
  • Process Improvement
  • Building strong working culture/mentorship, open door policy
  • Scientific Collaboration/innovation
  • Research & Development
  • Integrated cross functional experts/team collaboration
  • Grasped of drug development process
  • Drug formulation experiences
  • Extensive in vivo Pharmacology (PK/PD)/ex vivo/in vitro pharmacology-Data translation
  • Good analytical and communication skills
  • Expand diseases indication
  • Key pharmacology/immunology/metabolic lead Decision maker
  • Extensive GPCRs Target Mining
  • Extensive Target Identification
  • Extensive Immuno-assays experience
  • Extensive understanding Pharmacology/DMPK/ADME/Toxicology.
  • In depth knowledge of innate and adaptive immunity
  • Connecting Inflammation Mediating Metabolic Diseases
  • Establish Biomarkers-Mode of action/Translation-applied modeling partner matrix for better human translation/dose prediction
  • Explored and build platforms As a tool to assess target biology
  • Oversight and managing CROs (identify/set up contract)
  • Oversight academics collaboration
  • Initiate academic collaboration with scientific key experts (KOL)

Timeline

VP-Head of R&D

Alphina Therapeutics
08.2022 - 08.2024

Head of IBD Therapeutics Incubator

IBD Therapeutics Incubator: IBD Foundation
04.2022 - 08.2022

Freelance Consultant-Drug Discovery

TRANJLL.LLC.
02.2022 - Current

Chief Scientist/Sr. Director: Boston Science and Tech Hub (Head of External Innovative and Drug Discovery Hub)

LEO Pharma, Inc.
07.2020 - 02.2022

Sr. Scientific Investigator: Division of Innate Immunity Research Unit

GSK, Inc.
09.2015 - 07.2020

Sr. Scientific Investigator (lead Biologist/pharmacologist): Division of CVMED

Pfizer, Inc.
01.2012 - 09.2015

In Vivo Pharmacology/biology Lead (Metabolic Dis)

MERCK & CO. INC.
01.2004 - 12.2011

Research Associate Scientist / Surgical Research Manager

COOPER HOSPITAL-UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
01.1998 - 01.2004

Research Development Assistant

DEXALL BIOMEDICAL LABORATORY
01.1997 - 01.1998

M.S. - Biology

Rutgers University

B.A. - Biology

Western Maryland College

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