EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING

Dr. Woo has 28 years of experience in molecular biology research and targeted drug development. This experience includes the operation of a Contract Manufacturing Facility for production of biological drugs. As a Principal Investigator, he was successfully funded by 18 grants/contracts that resulted in the translation of scientific discoveries into 11 investigational new drug (IND) applications. Six INDs were approved for testing drug candidates in Phase I clinical trials. One of these candidates was FDA-approved as a prescription medicine. Dr. Woo has been instrumental in assisting Advanced Targeting Systems to set up a new GMP production company, Advanced Protein Productions.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Denise has worked on the administrative side of scientific entities for over 40 years. Her career began in the laboratories of Dr. Roger Guillemin, M.D., Ph.D., Nobel Prize winner. She moved on to become the Project Manager at The Whittier Institute for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Molecular and Cellular Growth Biology, where she gained valuable experience in the grant application and management processes. From 1992-1998, Denise was Administration Manager for the Invitrogen Corporation, where she participated in the path from private company to an IPO. In her role as President and Founder of Advanced Targeting Systems, Denise envisioned the necessity of having a company that could produce GMP-grade commercial drugs. Advanced Protein Production was launched to meet that important need to progress well- characterized research reagents into the pharmaceutical arena.

QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER

Soo has expertise in Drug Manufacturing R&D fields including Early-Stage Drug Development (gene construction, protein expression, in vitro studies), Process Development & GMP manufacturing (fermentation, purification), Quality Control (release tests, stability tests, functional assays), Animal Studies (rat PK study, mouse xenograft efficacy study), and Clinical Pharmacology (development and performance of pharmacokinetic assays for Phase I & II clinical trials).

SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR

Dr. Lappi is a global expert on the use of the ribosome-inactivating protein, Saporin. As a founder in 1994 of the targeted toxin company, Advanced Targeting Systems, he brings decades of experience in chemical conjugations and cell-specific targeting techniques. Dr. Lappi holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego, and a Ph.D. in applied biochemistry from the University of Bologna, Italy. His first ADC, 192-IgG-SAP, was the cornerstone for founding Advanced Targeting Systems and is the basis for a reliable validated model of Alzheimer’s Disease.

DIRECTOR OF PROTEIN CONJUGATIONS

Leonardo has 20 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of research reagents focusing on antibody/peptide conjugates, with expertise in the ribosome-inactivating protein saporin as the payload. Leonardo’s expertise in customizing conjugations utilizes size, structure, and chemistry to produce efficient and stable protein conjugates. His experience in designing and executing cell-based assays produces the data needed to provide a solid Certificate of Analysis for each service.