This function has two main activities: first, it develops and applies advanced computational approaches to accelerate the discovery of novel drug candidates and, second, it utilizes X-ray crystallography and other biophysical techniques to characterize targets of interest and improve the efficiency of hit-to-lead optimization.

Andrea Cavalli received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Bologna and did postdoctoral work at SISSA (Italy) and ETH (Switzerland). Andrea is an author of more than 120 scientific articles and inventor in 6 patents. He joined D3 in 2008 from the University of Bologna, where he is an Associate Professor. Since 2012 Andrea is a member of the Scientific Committee of CINECA, the largest Italian Computing Center.

This function supports all of D3’s synthetic and analytical chemistry needs. Chemical ‘hits’ identified by structure- or fragment-based drug design, or automated screening of our chemical collection   are progressively improved to generate ‘lead’ compounds. These are optimized through an iterative process with the ultimate goal of identifying candidates for clinical development.

Tiziano Bandiera obtained his PhD in chemistry from the University of Pavia (Italy) and worked at pharmaceutical companies Farmitalia-Carlo Erba, Pharmacia Corp. and Nerviano Medical Sciences. Tiziano is an inventor in 25 patents and an author of 26 scientific articles. He joined D3 in 2008.

This function provides the biological and pharmacological expertise necessary to advance D3’s projects. Its activities include the validation of targets of interest in cell systems and animal models as well as the development and implementation of assays for automated screening campaigns. The function also investigates lead candidates to identify their mechanism of action, characterize their therapeutic potential and assess their safety profile.

Angelo Reggiani received his PhD in Experimental Pharmacology from the University of Milan (Italy) and did post doctoral work at the Department of Pharmacology University of Texas Medical School at Huston. He worked at Zambon and Glaxo-Smith-Kline, and joined D3 in 2009 from the Schering Plough Research Institute, where he served as Director and Site Head. Angelo is the author of more than 100 scientific articles and inventor in 6 patents. Since 2003, he is Adjunct Professor at Milan’s Vita e Salute University and since 2004, he acts as an independent expert to assist the European Commission in the evaluation of research project proposals related to calls within various  programs in the Bioscience and Biomedical Area (7th and 8th FP, Marie Curie, Cooperation, Innovative Medicine Initiative Joint Undertaking-IMI JU).