DMPK Insights #10: The DMPK Project Representative: An essential role of contribution, integration and evolution

In this podcast Simon Taylor (Pharmaron UK) interviews Kevin Beaumont, a highly experienced DMPK scientist, leader and drug developer who has lived and breathed the role of the DMPK Project Representative throughout his 40-year industrial career.  With experience of delivering clinical drug candidates across multiple therapeutic areas with two major pharma companies (Pfizer and AstraZeneca) Kevin describes his entry into the role, the value of people, in roles as mentee and mentor, and the shift in emphasis of DMPK from a discipline supporting drug development to one driving drug discovery.  Covering key concepts related to project DMPK and minimising drug attrition this is a wide-ranging discussion with real life examples spanning discovery to clinical. 

The episode explores the following: 

• The key role of the DMPK Project Representative and required knowledge 
• Important concepts that have shaped DMPK drug design such as 
  • Physicochemical and application to drug design 
  • Free drug theory 
  • Human PK prediction, value and uncertainties 
  • Modalities  
• The role of DMPK in reducing drug failure in the clinic  
• Key individuals that have shaped DMPK science and Kevin’s career 
• The future of the DMPK Project Representative and the next generation  

Speaker:

Kevin Beaumont – Senior Director DMPK, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca 

Kevin has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 40 years in the fields of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, especially as it relates to drug discovery support. His major area of expertise is in the modulation of physicochemistry to affect drug disposition and in prediction of human pharmacokinetics from preclinical information. He is the author of over 50 peer reviewed publications.  

Kevin joined the Department of Drug Metabolism at Pfizer Sandwich UK in 1983, directly from his BSC in Biochemistry at the University of London.  Under the mentorship of Dr Dennis Smith Kevin’s early career involved developing a fundamental understanding of the basics of DMPK support to discovery and development projects. This included developing expertise in small molecule bioanalysis, completion of radiolabelled ADME studies and direct DMPK support to discovery and development projects.  

In 2011, Kevin transferred to Pfizer Inc in Boston Massachusetts, where he was responsible for DMPK/ADME support to the Cardiovascular, Inflammation and Immunology and Rare Disease Therapeutic Areas.  

In 2020 Kevin returned to the UK and is currently with AstraZeneca supporting Oncology R&D with DMPK expertise including modalities beyond small molecules. 

Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!