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In Brief


Nature Reviews Highlights Sale of TSRI Spin-Off Developing MS, Ulcerative Colitis Drug Candidate

A recent article in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery highlights the sale of Receptos, a biotech company founded by licensing patents from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), to global biopharmaceutical company Celgene for $7.3 billion.

The drug candidate, called ozanimod (previously known as RPC1063), was first discovered and synthesized in the Scripps California laboratories of Professors Hugh Rosen and Ed Roberts, based on a hit from the Scripps Florida Molecular Screening Center, which was part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Molecular Libraries Program. Ozanimod is now in two separate Phase III trials for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis, and in a Phase II trial for Crohn’s disease.

"Ozanimod is the first and most advanced compound to emerge from the NIH Common Fund efforts thus far and is an important illustration of the impact of TSRI's unique faculty environment and infrastructure integrating deep biological and chemical insights," Rosen said. "These strengths together with an entrepreneurial vision and flawless execution improve the lives and dignity of patients and families dealing with disabling and debilitating diseases."

To read the full article, “Deal watch: Celgene bets big on Scripps-originated autoimmunity candidate,” see http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nrd4716.html (available to subscribers or for purchase).


Meet the Alumni: Anna Juncker-Jensen of NantBioScience

Anna Juncker-Jensen will be the featured guest at the next Scripps California Meet the Alumni event, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, from 4 to 5 PM, in the graduate office dining room, Hazen Theory Building, first floor.

After earning a doctorate from the University of Copenhagen, Juncker-Jensen was a postdoctoral fellow in the Quigley lab at TSRI from September 2011 to October 2014, working in the field of cancer metastasis and proteolytic enzymes. She is currently a senior scientist at NantBioScience, an Orange County-based biotech that seeks to develop molecularly targeted drugs based on genetic and molecular profiles of cancer patients’ tumors.

Each Meet the Alumni event features a different guest speaker from the growing TSRI alumni network, presented in a relaxed, informal discussion setting and open to postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Speakers discuss career options and career-influencing decisions and offer advice on career transitions.

Light refreshments will be served. Reservations are required. 


Industry Bridge Program to Visit Vertex

Registration is now open for the next Industry Bridge Program (IBP) destination—the San Diego research and development site of global biotech company Vertex—scheduled for Friday, September 18, 9:30 AM to 1 PM. Vertex focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies for serious and life-threatening diseases, including cystic fibrosis.

Sponsored by the Society of Fellows (SoF), the popular IBP program offers opportunities for TSRI postdocs and graduate students to get an overview of industry facilities and careers, obtain industry exposure, network with industry scientists and learn how to effectively transition to industry.

Reservations close on Wednesday, September 9, at 5 PM Pacific time. Participation is limited to 20 and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously participated in an IBP visit, and only fully completed applications will be considered. Cancellation within 72 hours of the event will count as attending the visit. Application procedures and guidelines can be found on the IBP webpage.


CA Career Workshop: Academic Job Search 101

A workshop, “Academic Job Search 101,” will be offered Thursday, September 10, 3 to 5 PM, in the Graduate Office Seminar Room, Hazen Theory building, first floor, on the Scripps California campus.

Conducted by Ryan Wheeler, director of TSRI Career, International and Postdoctoral Services, session topics will include the basics of finding and securing an academic position, including search timeline development, effective application packages, phone screens and campus interviews. In addition, the session will describe how to refine and tailor career materials for a particular department or institution.

A faculty panel, including TSRI Professor Larry Gerace and Assistant Professors Keary Engle and Nathalie Franc, will share job search tips and field questions from the audience.

The workshop is valuable for scientists currently searching for academic positions, as well as postdoctoral fellows and graduate students planning for the future. Reservations are required.


CA NWiS to Discuss ‘Hidden’ Women in Science

The Scripps California Network for Women in Science (NWiS) will study prominent historical women in science at its next Coffee Hour, planned for Monday, September 14, 3 to 4 PM in the graduate office on the Hazen campus.

The afternoon’s discussion will focus on The Madame Curie Complex: The Hidden History of Women in Science by Julie des Jardins. According to one review, the book, “reveals how women scientists have often asked different questions, used different methods, come up with different explanations for phenomena in the natural world and how they have forever transformed a scientist's role.”

NWiS Coffee Hours are open to the entire Scripps California campus. Light refreshments will be served. Details on other CA NWiS activities are available on the group’s website or Facebook page


Onsite Clinic Scheduled September 9 on CA Campus

The next onsite immunization clinic on the California campus will be held Wednesday, September 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, in the Hazen Theory building, rooms 203/205. Appointments are not needed.

Conducted by Sharp Rees-Stealy staff, the clinic will provide hepatitis B vaccination free of charge to all TSRI employees. Environmental Health & Safety Occupational Medicine must pre-authorize all other procedures based on the employee's working conditions. These procedures include tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccines and other titers, immunizations and procedures.





Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu































































CA ScrippsAssists Backpack Drive a Record Success
backpack
A record 44 backpacks were filled with school supplies donated by the Scripps California community in ScrippsAssists’ recent backpack drive. The backpacks were distributed to low-income students in San Diego through ScrippsAssists community partner Home Start. ScrippsAssists thanks all the generous donors who made this year’s project a success.