Marly I. Roche
Associate Director, Biology - R&D
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director, Biology Drug Discovery
Blueprint Medicines
01.2023 - Current
- Project Team Leader of oncology and inflammation programs, directing cross-functional scientists and collaborators to advance program objectives (small molecule and biologics)
- Directed scientists to implement research operating plan for first biologics program in the organization
- Advanced multiple pre-clinical programs in immunology-inflammation and oncology to go/no go decisions
- Established and managed collaborations with external partners (consultants, KOLs, SMEs, CROs)
- Mentored and supervised career development of junior and senior scientists
- IACUC Chair (until 01/2024) – implemented new software to enhance compliance of animal program
- Acquired by Sanofi in June 2025
Senior Scientist II, Biology Drug Discovery
Blueprint Medicines
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Biology and Project Team Lead. Lead efforts with multi-functional teams to advance immune-oncology programs to developmental candidates (as part of a collaboration with Roche)
- Supervised scientist for the generation of pre-clinical data and IND enabling studies
- Designed and managed studies with collaborators and external vendors
- Collaborated with translational medicine team in the strategic validation of biomarker assays for the clinic
- Authored scientific reports, presentations and IB/IND documents
- IACUC co-Chair- co-lead of team involved in AALAC accreditation of Animal Care Facility
Scientist I, Biology Drug Discovery
Blueprint Medicines
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Development and implementation of immune assays to support immune-oncology programs and identification of new cancer immunotherapy targets.
- Designed, developed, and optimized functional immunoassays to evaluate small molecules in in vitro assays and in vivo models of disease
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to validate models relevant to immune-oncology targets
- Planned and supervised and executed PK/PD and efficacy studies (internally and at CROs)
- Designed flow cytometry panels to evaluate immune function activity
- Trained and mentored junior scientists in immunoassays
- IACUC scientific representative (founding member)
Senior Scientist
Cyteir Therapeutics
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Identification of small molecules for oncology and autoimmune indications - genome instability and DNA repair mechanisms
- Designed, developed and optimized functional cell-based assays for small molecule drug discovery
- Trained and mentored junior research associates
- Participated in strategic planning of pre-clinical studies
- Prepared and authored scientific reports, IACUC protocols and SOPs
- Managed inventories and budget, supervised general laboratory operations and compliance with biosafety and radiation safety protocols
Research Fellow
Massachusetts General Hospital - Harvard Medical School
01.2009 - 01.2014
- Pathogenesis of lung inflammation in viral infections and asthma
- Investigated the role of regulatory and effector T cells signaling in allergic airway inflammation
- Contributed to projects evaluating lung inflammatory responses in different disease models
- Responsible for submission of IRB and IACUC protocols and reports
- Supervised and trained junior scientists and laboratory personnel
Graduate Research
Boston University, School of Medicine
01.2004 - 01.2009
- Development of immunotherapies against bacterial pathogens and cancer
- Generated phage display and hybridoma-derived recombinant antibodies for immunotherapy against the pathogenic bacteria Francisella tularensis (Ft)
- Characterized antigen binding properties and identified target epitopes of anti-Ft antibodies
- Evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of antibodies in a mouse model of tularemia
- Generated phage display antibody libraries for colorectal cancer to evaluate immunotherapeutic potential
- Collaborated in project studying the role of gamma-delta and alpha-beta T cells in tumor rejection
Research Assistant
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Development of in vivo models of corneal inflammation to study the mechanisms of immune regulation of the ocular surface
- Characterized the recruitment of inflammatory cells in the cornea after endotoxin induced keratitis
- Established protocols to generate bone marrow-derived neutrophils in vitro assays
- Utilized intra-vital visualization of cell infiltrates and cell migration in the cornea in GFP chimeric mice
Timeline
Associate Director, Biology Drug Discovery
Blueprint Medicines
01.2023 - Current
Senior Scientist II, Biology Drug Discovery
Blueprint Medicines
01.2019 - 01.2023
Scientist I, Biology Drug Discovery
Blueprint Medicines
01.2017 - 01.2019
Senior Scientist
Cyteir Therapeutics
01.2014 - 01.2017
Research Fellow
Massachusetts General Hospital - Harvard Medical School
01.2009 - 01.2014
Graduate Research
Boston University, School of Medicine
01.2004 - 01.2009
Research Assistant
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
01.2001 - 01.2004