Advisory Board

A close link with leading researchers is an important asset for exploring novel insights in our core competencies, for applying up-to-date scientific know-how and for staying at the forefront of scientific development.

The scientific advisory board of 7TM Pharma supports the various discovery and development projects and is composed of world-leading experts in 7TM receptor structure and function as well as the respective therapeutic areas, providing expertise ranging from chemistry and biophysics over biochemistry, molecular pharmacology and signal transduction mechanisms, to in vivo pharmacology.

Scientific Advisory Board:

Prof. Brian K. Kobilka

Stanford University, Palo Alto, US

Brian K. Kobilka cloned the first 7TM receptors (the beta-adrenergic receptors) and contributed substantially to the foundation of modern molecular pharmacology. As Howard Hughes investigator he has since then pioneered direct biophysical studies of conformational changes in 7TM receptors and determined their in vivo importance and pharmacological potential. With an impressive list of publications, he is a recognized leader in the field of structure vs. function of 7TM receptors.

Prof. Wayne L. Hubbell

UCLA, Los Angeles, US

Wayne L. Hubbell has a background in chemistry and biophysics. Through his invention of an ingenious new technology, site-directed spin labeling of proteins, he had a major impact on the understanding of the dynamic structure and function of proteins in general, and of membrane proteins in particular. Together with H. Gobind Khorana, he made an almost exhaustive EPR (Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance) characterization of rhodopsin; his model of the activation mechanism of rhodopsin is considered the foundation for all current models of 7TM receptor activation / inactivation.

Prof. Michel Bouvier

Montreal University, Montreal, Canada

Michel Bouvier is an expert on 7TM receptor pharmacology and biochemistry with major contributions in e.g. post-translational modifications and their role in regulating receptor function. He is also the major authority in the field of 7TM receptor dimerization, an area that he pioneered and where he developed novel analytical tools e.g. BRET. Recently, he has established a new pharmacological principle, termed pharmacological chaperones, for correct protein folding and transportation, especially with regard to 7TM receptors.

Clinical Advisory Board:

Prof. Jens Juul Holst

Medical Physiology, University of Copenhagen, DK

Jens Juul Holst has a background in surgery and clinical chemistry and is one of the leaders in research on metabolic regulation, especially his expertise in the field of neuro-endocrine control of pancreatic function is internationally recognized. He made important contributions to the understanding of the role of the incretins in the regulation of insulin secretion. Author of approximately 700 publications, J.J.H. is a recipient of many international awards and member of the Royal Danish Academy of Science and Letters.

Prof. Arne V. Astrup

Centre for Advanced Food Studies, The Royal Veterinary & Agricultural University, DK

Arne V. Astrup is recognized for his outstanding obesity research. His scientific publications include over 270 original papers and 300 other publications. He is a recipient of many national and international honorary appointments, is member of the Danish National Council for Public Health, Ministry of Health, President-elect of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, and Editor-in-chief of Obesity Reviews, UK.

Prof. Luc Van Gaal

University Hospital Antwerp, Dept. Diabetology,
Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition

Prof. John Blundell

Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds

John Blundell holds the Research Chair of PsychoBiology, is Director of the BioPsychology (Nutrition) Group and Director of the Institute of Psychological Sciences. He has been active in research on mechanisms of appetite control for more than 25 years, the early research covering operation of brain centers. During the 1970s John Blundell was instrumental in establishing a role for the neurotransmitter serotonin in appetite control, including the landmark publication "Is there a role for serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in feeding?" (Blundell JE 1977, International Journal of Obesity, 1: 15-42). His research on the effect of serotonin on human food intake and eating patterns is continuing and involves work on obese patients and anti-obesity drugs.