Newsletter - Winter 2012 - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Finding New Drugs: ThePath from Test Tube to thePharmacy A CALPACS speaker eventCurrent industry statistics estimate that it takesfifteen years and nearly $1 billion to bring a newdrug to market, but most consumers are unaware –and even skeptical – of the extensive effortsinvolved in finding and successfully developingthese products. This presentation looks inside theblack box, sharing an insider’s view ofpharmaceutical research and development andanswering several commonly asked questions:Where does a chemist get ideas for synthesizingand innovative drug? Why are animals still used indrug research? Why can’t scientists and clinicianswork faster? And why can’t they do their jobbetter and cheaper? In the course of describing thedrug development activities, this presentation willhighlight the range of chemistry subspecialtiesemployed in moving a drug from the lab bench tothe pharmacy shelf.***Rebecca Anderson has worked in thebiopharmaceutical industry from more than 25years in jobs spanning pharmaceuticals,biotechnology, medical devices, and contractresearch organizations. She holds a BA degree inchemistry from Coe College and a Ph.D. inpharmacology from Georgetown University.Following postdoctoral training at the Universityof Toronto, she held academic appointments at theGeorge Washington University Medical Centerand the University of Michigan School of PublicHealth. She subsequently held positions ofincreasing responsibility in pharmaceutical R&Dat Parke-Davis & Company, Boehringer IngelheimPharmaceuticals, Miravant Pharmaceuticals, andAmgen. Dr. Anderson currently works as afreelance technical writer and is the author ofCareer Opportunities in Clinical Drug Research.California Oil MuseumA CALPACS tour eventThe California Oil Museum in Santa Paula is anhistoric building in that it was the birthplace, inthe 1890s, of the Union Oil Company(UNOCAL). Prior to UNOCAL's deeding thebuilding over to the City of Santa Paula, the oilcompany invested millions of dollars to refurbishthe second floor of the building. The purpose ofthe remodeling was to resurrect the appearanceand facilities of the oil company as it was in the1890s. Visitors to the museum can view geologicand petroleum-related exhibits on the first floorthat includes a full-scale model of a 19th Centuryoil rig, as well as rotating exhibits that range fromart to scientific innovation. From the standpointof our discipline, chemistry, the area is also uniquein that it was one of the first areas wherepetroleum was not only discovered in California,but also refined to produce many of the numeroushydrocarbon products derived from crudeoil. Although off the beaten track, the museum iswell worth a visit given its significance to thepetroleum and chemical engineering industries inCalifornia.CALPACS will be hosting a tour of the OilMuseum on March 17 th after an optional lunchwith the Director at nearby Glen Tavern Inn.Please stay tuned for the event flier for details.On February 11 th , Rebecca Anderson will begiving a free lecture at Cal Poly State Universityin San Luis Obispo. There will also be a booksigning with books for sale after the talk and lightrefreshments will be served.