Dr Nicola Wallis
Nicola has extensive experience leading in the areas of small molecule drug discovery and translational science. Currently an advisor and independent consultant in drug discovery and life sciences, she supports biotech companies and academic groups to translate research to clinical impact.
With more than 30 years of experience across pharma and biotech, Nicola started her industry career at SmithKline Beecham (later GSK), working at both UK and US sites. On returning to the UK, she joined Astex Pharmaceuticals, where she was Senior Vice President and Head of Biology. She has led and contributed to many small molecule drug discovery projects across multiple therapeutic areas (Oncology, Neurodegeneration, Anti-infectives), including those which have advanced compounds to the clinic and to drug approval. She is an experienced collaborator, having built successful scientific partnerships across academia, biotech and pharma, and a keen mentor, supporting career development of individuals across life sciences.
Nicola received her degree in Natural Sciences (Chemistry) and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, UK, followed by a postdoctoral position at the Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France.
Select publications
- Palmer N, Agnew C, Benn C, Buffham WJ, Castro JN, Chessari G, Clark M, Cons BD, Coyle JE, Dawson LA, Hamlett CCF, Hodson C, Holding F, Johnson CN, Liebeschuetz JW, Mahajan P, McCarthy JM, Murray CW, O’Reilly M, Peakman T, Price A, Rapti M, Reeks J, Schöpf P, St-Denis JD, Valenzano C, Wallis NG, Walser R, Weir H, Wilsher NE, Woodhead A, Bento CF, Tisi D. (2024) Fragment-based Discovery of a Series of Allosteric-Binding Site Modulators of B-Glucocerebrosidase. J Med Chem. 67 11168-11181
- Heightman TD, Berdini V, Bevan L, Buck IM, Carr MG, Courtin A, Coyle JE, Day JEH, East C, Fazal L, Griffiths-Jones CM, Howard S, Kucia-Tran J, Martins V, Muench S, Munck JM, Norton D, O’Reilly M, Palmer N, Pathuri P, Peakman TM, Reader M, Rees DC, Rich SJ, Shah A, Wallis NG, Walton H, Wilsher NE, Woolford AJ, Cooke M, Cousin D, Onions S, Shannon J, Watts J, Murray CW. (2021) Discovery of ASTX029, A Clinical Candidate Which Modulates the Phosphorylation and Catalytic Activity of ERK1/2. J Med Chem. 64 12286-12303
- Munck JM, Berdini V, Bevan L, Brothwood JL, Castro J, Courtin A, East C, Ferraldeschi R, Heightman TD, Hindley CJ, Kucia-Tran J, Lyons JF, Martins V, Muench S, Murray CW, Norton D, O’Reilly M, Reader M, Rees DC, Rich SJ, Richardson CJ, Shah AD, Stanczuk L, Thompson NT, Wilsher NE, Woolford AJ, Wallis NG. (2021) ASTX029, a Novel Dual-mechanism ERK Inhibitor, Modulates Both the Phosphorylation and Catalytic Activity of ERK. Mol Can Ther. 20 1757-1768.
- Ward GA, Lewis EJ, Ahn JS, Johnson CN, Lyons JF, Martins V, Munck JM, Rich SJ, Smyth T, Thompson NT, Williams PA, Wilsher NE, Wallis NG, Chessari G (2018) ASTX660, a Novel Non-Peptidomimetic Antagonist of cIAP1/2 and XIAP Potently Induces TNFα-Dependent Apoptosis in Cancer Cell Lines and Inhibits Tumor Growth. Mol Can Ther 17 1381-1391
- Courtin A, Smyth T, Hearn K, Saini HK, Thompson NT, Lyons JF, Wallis NG (2016) Emergence of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer can be delayed by an upfront combination with the HSP90 inhibitor onalespib. Br J Cancer 115 1069-1077
- Smyth T, Paraiso KHT, Hearn K, Rodriguez-Lopez AM, Munck JM, Haarberg HE, Sondak VK, Thompson NT, Azab M, Lyons JF, Smalley KSM, Wallis NG (2014) Inhibition of HSP90 by AT13387 delays the emergence of resistance to BRAF inhibitors and overcomes resistance to dual BRAF and MEK inhibition in melanoma models. Mol Can Ther 13 2793-2804
- Dawson MA, Curry JE, Barber K, Beer PA, Graham B, Lock V, Lyons JF, Ravandi F, Richardson CJ, Scott MA, Smyth T, Squires MS, Thompson NT, Yule SM, Kantarjian HM, Green AR & Wallis NG (2009) AT9283, a potent inhibitor of JAK2, has therapeutic potential in myeloproliferative disorders. Br J Haematol 150 46-57
