Anthony Simon Lynch BSc, PhD

Simon received his B.Sc. degree in Biology (1986) and Ph.D. in Microbial Genetics (1989) from the University of York in England, UK. Simon’s graduate studies were focused on studies of bacterial DNA replication and gene expression, which he further pursued as a SERC/NATO Postdoctoral Fellow (1989-1991) and Research Associate (1991-1994) at Harvard University. Subsequent independent research was undertaken at Harvard Medical School (1994-97) on studies of the pathogenesis of enteric bacterial pathogens. Simon joined Tularik Inc. (now Amgen) in 1997 as Project Leader for antibacterial discovery and resulting lead programs were subsequently spun-out into Cumbre Pharmaceuticals Inc. for which Simon served as Research Director (2001-05) and Vice President of Research (2006-08).
During his tenure at Tularik and Cumbre, Dr. Lynch directed programs that led to the discovery of several novel antibacterial agents including a novel hybrid antibiotic that is currently in clinical development for the treatment of serious bacterial infections. Simon joined Janssen R&D in 2008 and through 2013 led a microbiology group focused on support of both the commercialized antibiotic products and novel antibacterial agents and bacterial vaccines in discovery and early clinical development. Simon currently leads an internal venture at Janssen focused on the development of a novel, multi-specific biologic agent targeting a key bacterial pathogen. Simon has authored or co-authored over forty peer reviewed publications, review articles and book chapters, and is an inventor on multiple issued patents.