Our professionals
Dr. Jokin Carrillo Arregui
Director of Drug Discovery.
Researcher of the Medicinal Chemistry group.
Preferential dedication: Advancing small molecule research to address diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Dedicated to developing innovative therapies aimed at improving patient outcomes in areas where current treatments fall short.
Professional career
Associate Director, Medicinal Chemistry, Gain Therapeutics
September 2021 – June 2024
Medicinal chemist in an oncology and neurodegenerative disease program at a NASDAQ-listed biotech. Responsible for progressing research from hit identification to clinical candidate selection, leading external collaborations, and managing cross-functional project teams.
Senior Scientist, Medicinal Chemistry, Sygnature Discovery
January 2017 – August 2021
Worked on integrated drug discovery program, contributing to projects that led to significant preclinical achievements, including licensing to Hoffmann-La Roche and preclinical immuno-oncology data presented at AACR.
RESEARCH AREAS
With a strong focus on translational drug discovery, Jokin Carrillo works to advance projects from early discovery to clinical stages. His dedication spans neuroscience, immuno-oncology and solid tumors, emphasizing both small molecules and biologics to address unmet needs.
Outstanding Milestones:
- Advancement of a Clinical Candidate for Parkinson's Disease. Successfully progressed a promising compound for Parkinson’s disease through to clinical candidate selection while at Gain Therapeutics, marking a significant achievement in neurodegenerative research.
- Project Licensing to Hoffman-La Roche. Played a key role in the development of a candidate that was subsequently licensed to Hoffmann-La Roche.
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Small molecule therapies
- New drug discovery modalities (e.g., PROTACs, molecular glues)
- Biologic therapies (e.g., ADCs)
- Hit identification, SAR analysis, Lead Optimization (LO), candidate selection, and risk management for therapeutic advancement.
Activity
As an educator
Marie Curie Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Sheffield
January – December 2016
Conducted research on the total synthesis of Streptonigrin, developing a novel family of fluorescent molecules (BOBIPYs) with potential applications in biological imaging.
PhD in Organic Chemistry, University of Barcelona
September 2011 – November 2015
Thesis: Synthesized and coupled fragments of the antitumor macrolide Amphidinolide B2.
As a researcher
Leading drug discovery programs, collaborating with CIMA researchers to translate findings into therapies. Involved in strategic development across multiple modalities, including small molecules and PROTACs.
Latest scientific publications
- A Modular Class of Fluorescent Difluoroboranes: Synthesis, Structure, Optical Properties, Theoretical Calculations and Applications for Biological Imaging Aug 15, 2016 | Magazine: Chemistry
- A synthetic approach to palmerolides via Negishi cross coupling. The challenge of the C15–C16 bond formation Nov 13, 2014 | Magazine: Tetrahedron Letters