Biotransformation and Metabolite Elucidation of Xenobiotics: Characterization and Identification

ALA F. NASSAR, PHD, has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than ten years. For over five years, Dr. Nassar oversaw the drug metabolism and bioanalytical department at Vion Pharmaceuticals, working in these key areas of drug discovery and development. One principal area of his research involved understanding how structure modification can improve the ADME profile for new chemical entities as they advance toward clinical candidacy. He identified and subsequently patented pharmacologically active metabolites of Nexavar (sorafenib), and recently identified the pharmacologically active metabolite of Onrigin (laromustine), and is in the process of seeking a patent on this discovery. Dr. Nassar has more than fifty publications in journal articles and book chapters; and has taught and coordinated several courses on bioanalytical chemistry, LC-MS, and drug metabolism to share his experience with other scientists in the field. Currently, he is the Director of the Mass Spectrometry Facility and Research Assistant Professor at Brandeis University.