The 15th of October 2019 10h30

Amphithéâtre Pauling – School of Pharmacy Lille

Abstract: Safe and effective drugs to stimulate bone growth (anabolics) are needed to reverse bone loss in osteoporosis and to repair bone defects in many bone related diseases. We have shown that prostaglandin E2 stimulates rapid bone growth through interaction with the EP4 receptor and we designed potent and selective EP4 receptor agonists. Unfortunately, these agonists still have unwanted systemic side effects. To address these issues, bone-targeting conjugates of EP4 agonists that selectively bind to bones and release the active EP4 agonist in situ were designed. The synthesis of several such conjugates will be described as well as studies to demonstrate their selective biodistribution and efficacy in animal models of osteoporosis and bone repair. Biography: Prof. Young joined Merck Frosst Laboratories in Montreal in 1977 and rose to be VP Medicinal Chemistry and acting site head at Merck Frosst. In 2006 he took early retirement and joined the Chemistry Department of Simon Fraser University as the Merck Frosst-BC Leadership Chair in Drug Discovery where he continues research into developing new drugs. In his career, Prof. Young developed 5 approved drugs including SingulairTM and ArcoxiaTM, founded 3 companies and was recognized with the ACS Heroes of Chemistry award, two Prix Galien, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Order of Canada.