Dr. Wendy B. Young | Senior Advisor at Google Ventures
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Wendy B. Young is a biotech executive with more than 30 years of experience in the discovery and development of new medicines for patients. She currently serves as a Board Member and Scientific Advisor at several biotech companies and is a Senior Advisor at Google Ventures. Previously, Dr. Young was the Senior Vice President, Small Molecule Drug Discovery, at Genentech where she actively built and led the research & discovery organization. Under her leadership, more than 25 clinical candidates progressed into development. Additionally, Dr. Young led the Genentech/Roche BTK discovery program and is co-inventor of fenebrutinib, which has been moved into clinical trials in RA, lupus, urticaria, CLL and is currently in Phase 3 trials for multiple sclerosis. Prior to Genentech, Dr. Young held senior scientific leadership roles at Celera Genomics and Scios (J&J Company). Dr. Young has been highly involved in the ACS for many years. In 2017, she was elected as the ACS National Chair of the MEDI division, and she currently serves as an editor of The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. In 2024 she was selected to be inducted into the MEDI Hall of Fame; in 2018, Dr. Young was inducted as an ACS Fellow for her lifelong service to chemistry, society and medicine, and in 2019 highlighted as “One of the Top 20 Women in Biopharma” by Endpoint News. She is an author or named inventor on over 75 scientific publications and patents. Dr. Young earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from Princeton University under the guidance of Dr. E. C. Taylor and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratories of Dr. Samuel Danishefsky at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Abstract:
This talk spans three decades of insights in small molecule drug discovery and development.The journey includes experiences across academia, biotech, large pharma, government, professional organizations, and venture capital leadership. Scientific vignettes will highlight the discovery and development of inhibitors for oncology, immunology, and neurological diseases, targeting a wide range of protein classes. The discussion will also address unmet medical needs in women’s health and the opportunity to drive impactful change in this area. It is a personal journey that reflects key accomplishments, observations, and advice for today’s students, scientists, and leaders at all stages of their careers.
