Robert W. Marquis, PhD has more than 35 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development, with a career spanning Merck Research Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline and Syngene International. He has led medicinal chemistry and integrated drug discovery organizations focused on the discovery and development of small-molecule therapeutics across immunology, inflammation, oncology, cardiovascular disease, and bone biology.
During his career, Bob has contributed to 14 development candidate selections, including eight compounds that advanced into clinical development, two of which achieved proof of concept in patients. His research has included kinase inhibitors, ion channel modulators, protease inhibitors, GPCR programs, and more recently, targets such as STING, cGAS, NOD1/2, NLRP3, and RIP kinases. In addition to leading scientific teams, he has directed multidisciplinary organizations integrating medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, translational sciences, and safety while working closely with business development and external partners.
Dr. Marquis has authored more than 55 scientific publications, is an inventor on 64 patents, and has held adjunct faculty appointments at Saint Joseph's University. He also served as Chair of the 2019 Gordon Research Conference on Medicinal Chemistry. He received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine, and his B.S. in Chemistry from Saint Joseph's University.