John Okonya

About John Okonya

Highly motivated scientist with expertise in process chemistry, drug development, and drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry. Skilled in drug substance process development, CMC and GMP manufacturing. Contributed to development and manufacture of clinical products elzovantinib, IRDye 800BK and Levomethadone. Managed development programs for drug substances (API’s), and GMP manufacture of RSM’s and API’s at CDMO’s. Delivered several leads and development candidates in drug discovery for multiple therapeutic areas (e.g. oncology, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, rare diseases). Excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skillsSPECIALTIES•Process chemistry (process design, route scouting, optimization and scale up for API manufacturing)•CMC and GMP manufacturing•Management of the development and manufacture of API’s with internal and external partners•Synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry•Hit-to-lead optimization (lead identification, SAR, PK/ADME properties) •Drug discovery platforms (Combinatorial chemistry, rational, structure and fragment-based design)•Library design, development and synthesis and parallel synthesis•Modern analytical techniques (HPLC, GC, LC/MS, NMR, UV/Vis, IR and chromatography)

Experience

1. Director, Drug Substance Development and Manufacturing

   Ventyx Biosciences

   Jan 2025 — Present

Education

• University of Nairobi

  Master’s Degree

• University of Notre Dame

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• University of Nairobi

  Bachelor’s Degree

Skills

• Lc-Ms
• Life Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Nmr
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Science
• Biochemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Drug Development
• Hplc
• Drug Design
• Drug Discovery
• Organic Synthesis
• Chemistry
• Research
• Lifesciences
• Analytical Chemistry
• R&D
• Chromatography
• Lead Change