Alcuranex

Dr. Marawan Ahmed earned his Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Swinburne University of Technology, specializing in quantum chemistry methods—particularly Density Functional Theory (DFT)—applied to X-ray spectroscopy of drug-like molecules and the integration of quantum mechanical and classical methods in computational drug discovery. He completed his postdoctoral research at the University of Alberta, where we subsequently served as a Data Scientist with Alberta Health Services. 

Dr. Ahmed led Computational Chemist and Chemoinformatician at Variational AI, where he employed advanced AI techniques and atomistic simulations in various drug discovery programs to deliver potent, active, and selective small molecule ligands for kinase drug targets to large pharmaceutical companies, including Merck. He has successfully delivered nanomolar lead compounds against challenging drug targets, including kinase and phosphatase enzymes. Notably, Dr. Ahmed identified first-in-class small molecule binders for immune checkpoint proteins such as PD-1, validated by experimental NMR studies, and significantly contributed to fragment-based discovery of potent inhibitors against a wide range of drug targets.

Prof. Peter Hawkey is a practicing clinical microbiologist/physician and Emeritus Professor of Clinical and Public Health Bacteriology at the University of Birmingham. His career began in plant pathology before transitioning to medical microbiology. He's renowned for his research on antibiotic resistance, Clostridium difficile, and tuberculosis, with over 300 peer reviewed papers. He was awarded the Garrod medal by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Prof. Hawkey edited two influential textbooks and shaped UK policy on infection control as chair of several NHS advisory committees. He established the UK's largest fecal transplant service at the Microbiome Treatment Centre, Birmingham. He maintains international collaborations, particularly in Southeast Asia, focusing on global antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Daren Ure obtained a Ph.D. cellular neurobiology at the University of Alberta and undertook postdoctoral fellowships in virology and neuroimmunology from 1997-2003 at the Mayo Clinic. Since then, he has worked mostly with small-medium cap biotechnology companies, focusing on drug discovery and preclinical drug development. 

As a senior scientist with Isotechnika Inc, Dr. Ure participated in the development of Voclosporin (Lupkynis) which was approved for treatment of lupus nephritis by the FDA in 2021. As Chief Scientific Officer of Hepion Pharmaceuticals, he participated in the discovery and development of Rencofilstat which advanced to Phase 2 clinical trials for fatty liver disease. In these roles Dr. Ure further gained familiarity with the many corporate, regulatory, and clinical activities associated with drug development. Most recently he has worked as an Executive Scientist with Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation to assist academics and small companies translate innovative ideas into commercial medicinal products.

Mostofa brings over 20 years of industrial experience in synthetic organic chemistry within an interdisciplinary drug discovery setting. Over the course of his professional career, he was involved in various pre-clinical drug discovery projects which includes different therapeutic areas such as antimicrobial, cardiovascular, antiviral and CNS. After obtaining a PhD in organic synthesis, Mostofa undertook postdoctoral research at the University of Notre Dame and then the University of Alberta as a fellow of Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

Dr. Trepanier earned his Ph.D. in clinical chemistry at the University of Windsor and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta specializing in analytical chemistry. With over 25 years’ field experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he brings direct hands-on expertise in drug discovery; analytical and bioanalytical method development and analysis; preclinical pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and toxicokinetic studies; formulation development; drug manufacturing; and the preparation of preclinical regulatory submissions. He also has substantial experience working with contract research organizations and patent attorneys. 

Dr. Trepanier is the developer of Aurinia Pharmaceuticals LUPKYNIS® formulation which is used by thousands of lupis nephritis patients. Dr. Trepanier is the author or co-author of numerous scientific papers, abstracts and patents.

Andrew MacIsaac is the CEO of Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), an industry led not-for-profit organization that serves as a catalyst to support the development of life science products and companies, combining Canadian research institutions, industry staff, and infrastructure to build highly qualified teams that can commercialize discoveries. 

With a background in economics and public sector management, Andrew MacIsaac was previously Assistant Dean at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and held various roles in the Alberta School of Business and UBC Sauder School of Business. Over his career, Andrew has worked tirelessly to build bridges between academia, industry, philanthropy, and government to further economic growth and societal impact. 

Projects that Andrew has worked on have led to close to $700 million in economic impact and Andrew has been recipient of the 2022 Edifier Award, 2023 AS-TEC Award, and 2024 Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences Leadership Award, for his work founding and leading API.

Michael Houghton Ph..D is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta where he directs the Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute. He is also the Chief Scientific Officer of the non-profit Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API). 

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2020 for his work with USA colleagues Drs Qui-Lim Choo & George Kuo that led to the discovery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to medicine which included the elucidation of the viral genomes of HCV & HDV as well as the identification of the primary sequence of the natural antiviral, human fibroblast interferon. Deeply committed to medical research, he is involved in researching many areas of unmet medical need and serious disease.