Les Miranda

Amgen

Over 20 years of Discovery Research and CMC Operations experience in the discovery & development of multiple first-in-class, disease-modifying therapeutic candidates spanning peptide, biologic, RNA, and small molecule modalities across metabolic disease, hematology/oncology, neurobiology, immunology and inflammation.  Innovative track record of fusing science and technology to build and nurture innovative platforms around medicinal, peptide and oligonucleotide chemistry, RNA-based screening, antibody discovery and biologics engineering, structural biology, attribute sciences, pharmacokinetics, laboratory automation, computational chemistry and information technologies.  Discovery highlights include AMG 133, an anti-GIPR antibody/GLP-1R agonist multispecific in Phase 2, and championing Amgen’s siRNA modality development leading to AMG 890 (olpasiran), RNA silencing Lp(a); currently Phase 3. Additionally, supported the discovery & CMC development of several marketed Amgen products including PARSABIV® etelcalcetide, Aimovig® erenumab, & LUMAKRAS™, sotorasib.  Advanced >30 Research candidates (peptides, oligonucleotides, small molecules, hybrids, antibody drug conjugates, mAbs, multi-specifics, & T-cell engagers) through technical-readiness governance; filed >20 Investigational New Drug (IND) applications with the FDA to advance life-changing medicines for patients; >50 peer-reviewed top-tier publications; and an inventor on >30 public domain patent applications including AMG 133.  As an executive leader, experienced in facility and department management (>100 staff); career development of diverse staff; organizational transformation; early pipeline review; product & technology licensing; acquisitions; and venture investment opportunities.  Frequent public speaker at international scientific events, and co-chair for the Gordon Research Conference (GRC), Chemistry & Biology of Peptides, and the American Peptide Symposium.

Prior to joining Amgen in 2004, led technology development and the discovery of a protein product portfolio at Gryphon Therapeutics, a South San Francisco start-up with Professor Stephen B. H. Kent.  A post-doctoral fellow position at the Carlsberg Laboratory with Professor Morten Meldal, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022.  Lastly, obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Queensland in chemistry & protein chemistry, and was awarded the Conforth medal by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), an award for recognition of outstanding achievement in doctoral research in commemoration of the work of Nobel Laureate Sir John Cornforth AC CBE FRS.