Working Life: Olivier Leupin
pharmafile | February 9, 2010 | Feature | Business Services, Research and Development | Novartis, Working Life, careers, careers voice
How did you find your way into your most current role?
After receiving a master’s degree in biology at the University of Lausanne, I travelled a long way down Lake Geneva to complete a Ph.D. program at the University of Geneva in the department of microbiology and molecular medicine. My research focused on the hepatitis B virus (HBV), investigating the interaction between viral and cellular proteins in viral replication. I acquired technical knowledge in a broad range of molecular and cellular biology techniques as well as gaining insights on topics outside of my immediate scope of work, e.g., various viruses, parasites and model organisms.
Following the doctoral programme, I then spent two years performing my postdoctoral training in the bone research group at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research in Basel. My task was to decipher the signalling mechanisms regulating the transcription of a gene implicated in bone formation. I performed basic research but was also involved in drug discovery projects focused on the development of a bone anabolic drug for osteoporosis treatment.
I enjoyed and benefited greatly from working with many colleagues from different backgrounds across the organization. Eventually, I was given the opportunity to lead a lab in the same unit. For almost three years, I’ve worked with a great team to identify and validate novel drug targets while also leading an early drug project. I still have a lot to learn in terms of drug discovery efforts and am fully aware that the project will have to overcome many hurdles before hopefully improving the quality of life for patients suffering from the debilitating disease, osteoporosis.
How is your field changing?
Despite the availability of osteoporosis treatments for more than ten years and the additional competition through generics incrementally entering the market, until now, osteoporosis treatments only partially fulfill the needs of a patient. There remains room for new drugs which demonstrate higher efficacy, e.g., through a new mechanism of action, and/or easier administration. This challenge to find the ‘ideal’ drug target, which is not unique to the osteoporosis field, requires more creative ways to identify and quickly validate suitable targets.
What are the most enjoyable things about your role?
Science is a great field where you can discover new concepts and solve puzzles through a combination of imagination and hard work. This makes it very thrilling for me! The most important aspect of my role at Novartis is that I can merge this creative opportunity with efforts to discover and develop therapies that could potentially help patients improve their quality of life.
And the least enjoyable?
Time consuming but necessary non-scientific tasks.
What are the most common misconceptions about your field and the people who work within it?
Even though drug discovery is a business, we truly care about patients. All the scientists at the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research I work with on a daily basis are ultimately driven by that goal. We not only use our creative and technical skills but also put all our energy to provide new and innovative medicines as quickly as possible to patients who desperately need them.
Is there someone in your field who has inspired you or from whom you have learnt a lot?
While obtaining my Ph.D., Severine Bontron, a postdoc working in the lab, was integral in teaching me how to improve and speed up experimental procedures. Her critical thinking and multitasking skills were impressive and complemented my personality to build a fabulous team. I also admire the passion and dedication of my Ph.D. supervisor, Michel Strubin, as well as that of my current boss, Michaela Kneissel.
Similarly, is there someone (or something) outside your field who has been a big influence or source of inspiration for you?
My mom is always eager to help others in a simple and open hearted manner.
What is the secret to a happy working life?
Optimise your work time by being full of energy. Be proactive and passionate. Be humble about your goals – they should be motivated by a deep drive, and not by an idea of what you think you should achieve.
If you had advice for anyone starting out in your field now, what would it be? Ensure that your research is imaginative and of top quality. Be honest with and reward the collaborators of your team.
How do you relax and forget about work?
By ‘tackling’ my soccer mates, by hiking through peaceful landscapes with my wife and by admiring my cute, newborn daughter.
In an alternate life, what would you perhaps do for a living?
I would enjoy the beauty of nature by endlessly contemplating the diving of whales, the eruption of volcanoes or the midnight sun.
BIOGRAPHY: Olivier Leupin is the research investigator at Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.
He is responsible for Musculoskeletal Disease Area in the Bone Unit where he acts as the project team head and core team member, beginning in 2006.
Recently Olivier was a Postdoctoral fellow at Novartis covering regulation of SOST gene expression, where he aquired knowledge in drug discovery processes, performed exploratory activities on the signal transduction and transcription factor mechanisms of SOST gene regulation.
Prior to joining Novartis he studied at the University of Lausanne and also at Geneva University, and has contributed to several journal articles. Olivier is working on a manuscript relating to SOST.
If you would like to contribute to a future Working Life, please email Brett Wells.
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