BIOCHEMISTS in INDUSTRY Contents Introduction
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BIOCHEMISTS IN INDUSTRY Contents Introduction What is industry? Drug discovery Consumer goods Diagnostics Clinical biochemistry Service providers Biomaterials and biotechnology Food formulation Working in industry Skills and work Resources Updated September 2017 3 INTRODUCTION Deciding which career path to follow can seem overwhelming with the wealth of opportunities available. Some people may decide to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees whilst others may move into apprenticeships or employment. There are many science- based careers where you can use your specialist skills and knowledge; some of these careers can be found in industry. 4 What is industry? INDUSTRY is a broad term that refers to Within these sectors, there are many various companies and organizations which opportunities for biochemists to be part provide services or goods for a profit. For a of cutting edge research and develop the biochemist, there are a wide range of next lifesaving medicine or superfood. different roles available in various industries, Research and development in industry ranging from research and development to differs from that done in academic sales, marketing and management. research institutions because traditionally in academia the pursuit of knowledge Biochemists can be found working in drives the project rather than the desire to numerous areas of industry. Among the create a product. However, this distinction areas which offer opportunities for is becoming blurred as collaboration is biochemists are: more common. The face of industry consists of more than Drug Discovery just large scale companies, such as the drug company giants or well-known food Consumer Goods brands. More and more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are Diagnostics emerging in every sector and changing industry across the UK and the world. Clinical Biochemistry SMEs will, by definition, be smaller than the large companies, employ fewer Service Providers people and have a lower turnover. However, they often fill a niche gap and Biomaterials and provide expertise in producing certain products or mastering particular Biotechnology techniques and technologies, meaning they frequently work with larger Agrochemicals companies. If you chose to pursue a science-based career in industry, there Food Formulation are many options available to you. 5 Drug discovery The role of the pharmaceutical industry is to design SMALL-MOLECULE DRUGS: and create new medicines to treat a range of health Chemicals with a medicinal effect. conditions. The pharmaceutical industry employs BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS: around 73,000 people in the UK, with 23,000 working Large-protein molecules such as antibodies in research and development (R&D)*. and hormones with medicinal effects. Drug discovery is a vital part of the pharmaceutical industry. The medicines developed during drug discovery and development can be separated into small molecules and biopharmaceutical products. Pharmaceutical research and development is composed of many disciplines, ranging from identifying possible drug targets in a disease to pharmaceutical formulation and researching the field of personalized medicine. With changes to drug discovery in recent years, more companies now outsource certain parts of the process. Contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) can assist with optimizing the formulation of a drug and scale up the production for general sale. Another option is to use contract research organizations (CROs) which sometimes conduct the necessary trials to get a drug approved. * ONS Annual Business survey 2013 (revised results), section C, 6 Manufacturing, release date 11 June 2015. From ABPI website Drug Development Stages High-throughput Product Target discovery screening Identifying a target linked with Screening a library (a collection characterization Identifying the features of the studied disease (receptor, of chemical compounds) to the candidate compound enzyme, signalling molecule) determine which compound (size, shape, etc.) and helping interacts and modulates to determine the mechanism the target of action. Pre-clinical research Phase I clinical trials Determining if the drug can Formulation Testing the safety and tolerance cause harm by investigating its and delivery of the drug in a small group of toxicity in vitro (test-tube Choosing a formulation that will healthy people experiments) and/or in vivo facilitate the drug delivery (animal experiments) Phase II and phase III Pharmacogenomics clinical trials Determining the individual Testing the drug in a large differences in drug effectiveness number of patients to determine and tolerance. whether it has a beneficial effect on the disease. 7 Case studies DR AMY PROSSER Senior Scientist at Sygnature Discovery I have always had a passion for throughout the length of the drug discovery new things as new projects bring new science which led me to study for pipeline, from early target validation demands. Excellent scientific skills are a Human Genetics MSci through to late stage lead optimisation and essential for any lab based scientist, but undergraduate master’s degree at the even into the clinic. Many of the projects at time management and organizational University of Nottingham. I particularly Sygnature are large integrated projects skills are also crucial for success in a enjoyed being in the lab and involved in requiring the combined skills of chemists, dynamic CRO environment where research projects, so I decided to stay at the bioscientists, computational chemists and projects and priorities can quickly change. University of Nottingham to complete my drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics Outstanding communication skills are PhD. With a focus on interdisciplinary science, (DMPK) scientists working closely together important to deliver complex scientific based between the School of Clinical to drive projects forward to a common goal. results to project teams and clients in a Science and the School of Engineering, my clear and concise manner. PhD focused on developing novel techniques, One of the best aspects of working at assays and scaffolds to enhance stem cell Sygnature is the opportunity to be exposed Gaining lab experience is really important differentiation for bone and cartilage tissue to multiple therapeutic areas and work for students. Try to get as much bioengineering applications. After my PhD, I alongside colleagues who have a wide experience as possible from shadowing knew I wanted to stay in the lab but not in range of scientific backgrounds. I have lab staff on summer placements, as any academia, and decided to pursue options in learnt lots since starting at Sygnature, from lab experience will put you in a better industrial research. new scientific disciplines to new pieces of position when applying for PhDs or jobs laboratory equipment. Working at a CRO is after studying. Approach companies or As I was finishing my PhD, I started working dynamic and fast paced, and whilst this institutions for opportunities for lab as a Scientist in the Bioscience Department can be a challenge, it is exciting and has experience as a speculative application at Sygnature Discovery, a drug discovery allowed me to develop new skills. may create an opportunity that would not contract research organisation (CRO) ordinarily be advertised. based at BioCity in Nottingham. Sygnature To be a successful scientist at a CRO, supports a broad range of projects you need to be flexible and willing to learn 8 I have always wanted to be accepting my current position, within the collaboratively in a team and a strong involved in science and in- High Throughput Screening team at ambition for science. particular pharmaceutical research. AstraZeneca. During high-school work experience I My advice would be to get as much visited the AstraZeneca Operations and High throughput screening allows a large relevant experience as possible during Manufacturing Site. This really sparked number of novel molecules to be screened and after your degree. Ranging from a my interest in industry and I went on to against a defined target of interest. Targets laboratory project in final year, to work study biochemistry at the University of of interest are chosen as they are identified during summer breaks, voluntary Leeds. During my degree I completed a as playing a major role in a specific disease. experience where possible and other summer placement at AstraZeneca, Compounds which show the desired roles within the industry (e.g. I worked in within Quality Control Microbiology as a activity are defined as ‘hits’ and are studied quality control before acquiring a position Lab Technician. This increased my further. Further studies include ruling out in research) to be able to see and gain a understanding of the work involved in any hits which are non-specific or toxic and better understanding of the industry as a ensuring pharmaceuticals are safe for use completing concentration response curves. whole and the skills required. Work and what it is like to work within a large Chemists analyse the remaining hits and experience is a great opportunity to begin pharmaceutical company. I then went on select compounds which have the best networking too. I also believe that casual/ to complete a final year research project properties and activity. part-time work around studies, even studying oncogenic fibroblast growth though it may not seem relevant is of factor receptor mutants using NMR. After Some of the skills required for this role great benefit. This helps to develop