Lin Quek

About Lin Quek

Strategic R&D leader with over 12 years of biotech/pharma industry experience. Deep expertise in molecular and synthetic biology, AAV and virology, gene therapy, and in vitro preclinical discovery and R&D. Broad expertise spanning bioanalytics, in vivo biology, developmental biology, genetics and analytical chemistry. Entrepreneurial scientist with a strong background in economics, excellent leadership skills, and a collaborative spirit. Proven successes in research strategy, leading R&D programs, team building, collaborations, grant applications, project management, and delivering rigorous results in aggressive timelines. Award-winning bilingual teacher possessing exceptional communication skills, well-versed in scientific and non-scientific presentations, and experienced in customer-facing positions. US Permanent Resident; no visa sponsorship required.

Experience

1. Director, Gene Therapy Research

   Fractyl Health

   Apr 2023 — Present · Burlington, MA, US

   Led vectororology and in vitro R&D team, and pivoted company from proof-of-concept experiments to establish its first AAV gene therapy pipeline program. Drove RJVA-001 Type 2 Diabetes preclinical program from discovery to Development Candidate (DC) nomination within a year. Collaborated with ex/in vivo team, CMC, Engineering, CROs, and academic collaborators to initiate CTA submission by end of 2nd year. Led vector design and directed assay development for key assays, including in vitro expression, potency, and toxicity assays, AAV titering, VCN analysis for in vivo biodistribution in small and large animals, 5’ RACE-Seq, etc.Collaborated with Engineering team for design, testing, and verification of the endoscopic device for local AAV delivery directly to the pancreas.Launched RJVA-002 GIP/GLP-1 for Obesity preclinical program. Directed pipeline progress fromIn Vitro discovery and hit screening efforts, through lead optimization towards DC nomination. Leddesign and execution of in vivo efficacy study, achieving positive results within a year fromlaunch.Established new research lab capabilities (in-house cloning, ddPCR and RT-ddPCR, Jess capillary Western blot, AAV production and QC, etc.), implemented new systems (electronic lab notebook, plasmid/AAV inventories, project management tools, etc.), and optimized workflows and processes.Managed and grew in vitro team from 2 to 5 direct reports, including Ph.D. and non-Ph.D. scientists.Contributed to scientific strategy and supported the filing of a PCT application, on which I am listed as first inventor, with additional patent applications in preparation. Contributed to manuscript preparation for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Designed new lab facilities layout, evaluated lab technologies and sourced lab equipment, and assisted with lab relocation from a shared incubator space to a new company site.

Education

• The Johns Hopkins University

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Cellular, Molecular, Developmental Biology and Biophysics

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Genetics, Economics

Skills

• Collaboration
• Pcr
• Cryosectioning
• Virology
• Research
• Gmp
• Biochemistry
• Communication Skills
• Tissue Culture
• In Situ Hybridization
• Economics
• Glp
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Cloning
• Hiv
• Nucleic Acid
• Rsv
• Immunohistochemistry
• Radioactivity
• Microscopy
• Entrepreneurship
• Lc-Ms
• Hplc
• Molecular Biology
• Highly Versatile
• Zebrafish
• Team-Oriented
• Developmental Biology
• Rna Biology
• Translation
• Gel Electrophoresis
• Spectrophotometry
• Osha
• Cell Culture
• Mmlv
• Drosophila
• Mouse
• Genetics
• Marketing