Adrian Amador is a Director of Chemistry at Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company. Adrian received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison developing new synthetic methodologies utilizing visible light photocatalysis. Adrian then performed postdoctoral research focused on the development of novel renewable polymers as part of the Center for Sustainable Polymers at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. As a group leader at Snapdragon Chemistry, Adrian focuses on the development of robust manufacturing processes largely focused in the pharmaceutical sector. Much of this work leverages flow chemistry and automation as enabling technologies. Recent efforts of Adrian’s group have been dedicated to the development more sustainable and scalable approaches to manufacturing complex synthetics such as peptides and oligonucleotides. In the area of peptides, substantial efforts have been made to implement Liquid-Phase Peptide Synthesis (LPPS) technologies. In the area of oligonucleotides current efforts are focused on novel approaches towards process optimization

Seb is the Senior Director of Oligonucleotide Development at Avidity Biosciences, where he leads a team focused on development, characterization, and validation of processes to manufacture late-stage assets such as Del-desiran, Del-brax, and Del-zota.  Prior to joining Avidity, Seb was a Scientific Director at Amgen, where he led teams managing the development of processes to prepare small molecules, oligonucleotides, glycosides, and peptides, in all phases of CMC development.  His teams delivered processes for the manufacture of Omecamtiv Mecarbil, Sotorasib, and Olpasiran. Seb is the author of forty-seven refereed publications throughout his career and the recipient of an ACS Mid-Career Investigator Award (2024). Seb is an active member of IQ and EPOC working groups.

Yannick Fillon is a seasoned expert in oligonucleotide development with over two decades of experience in chemical engineering and organic chemistry. He earned his chemical engineering degree from ESCPE Lyon in France (2001) and completed his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at Purdue University in 2006.

Yannick began his career at Sigma-Aldrich (now Millipore Sigma) in Houston, Texas, where he specialized in process development and optimization for the production of peptides and oligonucleotides within the Custom Product division. In 2012, he relocated to Boston to join Cubist Pharmaceuticals, and in 2014, he transitioned to Biogen to help establish its emerging Antisense Oligonucleotide group as a Senior Scientist.

Since joining Biogen, Yannick has held multiple roles focused on oligonucleotide development, gaining deep expertise across the lifecycle from early-stage research to commercial launch. In 2024, he was appointed Product Technical Lead, where he now oversees the development, launch, and continued commercial performance of Biogen’s expanding oligonucleotide portfolio.

Stefan G. Koenig obtained his PhD in Organic Chemistry from Yale University in New Haven, CT (USA), under the supervision of Professor David J. Austin and then conducted postdoctoral work at the ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, in the laboratory of Professor Andrea T. Vasella.  Stefan initiated his professional career at Sepracor in Marlboro, MA, and joined Genentech (A Member of the Roche Group) in South San Francisco, CA in 2010.  He is currently a Distinguished Scientist in the External Science & Manufacturing group within Synthetic Molecule Pharmaceutical Sciences, leading various projects at partner companies.

Ben obtained his chemistry from the University of Oxford and PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Bristol working with Professor Tim Gallagher. He then completed a postdoc at North Carolina State University with Professor Jon Lindsey before joining the Chemical Development team at AMRI in Albany, New York in 1999. At AMRI Ben worked in the kilo lab and pilot plant developing and implementing process from up to tens of kg scale. He also led a team developing routes and process for first-in-human synthesis. He was also lead chemist for reaction calorimetry, real-time analysis and automation techniques.

In 2004 Ben joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston where he focused on implementing PAT tools and developing synthesis processes for late-stage and commercial manufacture, including telaprevir for hepatitis C treatment. In 2005 Ben relocated to Vertex San Diego to set-up and lead a new process chemistry team focused on facilitating the movement of candidate molecules from Med Chem to the clinical trials, including cystic fibrosis (lumacaftor, tezacaftor, elexacaftor) and pain. During this time he gained experience in numerous aspects of drug discovery, pharmaceutical sciences, working with outsourcing partners, project and team leadership. He also chaired cross-functional scientific teams implementing advanced manufacturing techniques, such as flow chemistry, biotransformations, and photochemistry

In 2022 Ben left Vertex to set up his own consulting business which includes joining Scientific Update as Technical Associate,North America & Asia Pacific.

Lubomir Nechev, Ph.D. is the Chief CMC Officer of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Dr Nechev is one of the pioneers in the CMC aspects of RNAi therapeutics. He has worked at Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals (RPI), the Nucleic Acids Synthesis unit of Transgenomic, Inc., and has  joined Alnylam in March 2004. In the last 22 years, Dr. Nechev has led the development and implementation of the CMC strategy for siRNA therapeutics used in six approved products – ONPATTRO®, GIVLAARI®, OXLUMO®, Leqvio®(Novartis), AMVUTTRA™, and Qfitlia (Sanofi) .  The first of them (ONPATTRO®) is also the first approved lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulated siRNA and the second one (GIVLAARI®) is the first approved GalNAc-conjugated siRNA.

Dr. Nechev received his Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry from St. Kl. Ohridski University, Sofia, Bulgaria and completed his post-doctoral training at the Department of Chemistry and Center in Molecular Toxicology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

Education and Career

• 1975 – B.Sc. Chemistry and Biology, Indore University, India
• 1977 – M.Sc. Applied Chemistry, Indore University, India
• 1981 – Ph.D. Organic Chemistry, NCL, Pune, India
• 1982 – 1985: Postdoc, Kings College, University of London, UK
• 1985 – 1989: ICN Pharmaceuticals, CA, USA
• 1989 – 2003: Ionis Pharmaceuticals, CA, USA
• 2003 – Present: President, Rasayan Inc. CA, USA
• 2007 – Present: Founder and President, Sapala Organics, Hyderabad, India
• 2022 – Present: Founder, Synna Science, Bangkok, Thailand

Publications, Patents, Books, Conferences and Presentations

• >225 peer review articles in literature
• >30 US and international patents
• Editor of 2 books
• Actively organized >10 domestic and international conferences
• Speaker at >100 universities and conferences

Facts About Me

• Born in India
• US Citizen – home in Southern CA
• Thrives on discovery, development and manufacturing of nucleic acid-based drugs

Interest

• Practice, participate and collect fine art
• World traveler exploring historic places
• Tending a fruit producing orchard at home
• Chemistry in kitchen: trying and developing new recipes
• Giving back: offering financial support and mentoring students

Luke Webster is an engineering advisor at Eli Lilly in the Synthetic Molecule Design and Development.  He simultaneously received his M.S. and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Bucknell University in 2014.  After graduation, he joined Eli Lilly and started his career in development of continuous processes for small molecules.  This work culminated in an assignment to Lilly’s Kinsale, Ireland Manufacturing site.  He returned to development and worked on synthesis of peptides before transitioning to his current role in synthesis of oligonucleotides.

Dr. Wuming Yan brings over a decade of experience in oligonucleotide CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls), spanning the full development lifecycle from pre-clinical research to commercial manufacturing. He has played pivotal roles in the successful development and regulatory approval of oligonucleotide therapeutics, including Izervay and Spinraza. At Asymchem, Dr. Yan oversees all oligonucleotide programs from early R&D through late-phase development and commercial readiness. He is responsible for building and leading a centralized, collaborative oligo team that serves as a one-stop solution for clients, driving innovation and operational excellence in oligonucleotide manufacturing. Dr. Yan is recognized for his strategic leadership and deep technical expertise in oligo process development, scale-up, and regulatory strategy, making him a trusted partner in advancing oligonucleotide therapeutics from concept to market.