DMPK Insights

About DMPK Insights

DMPK Insights is a by-monthly podcast by Pharmaron about the latest research and developments in DMPK science with a focus on three different areas:- Current Considerations: Breaking DMPK science with a focus on recent scientific publications, regulatory and other considerations - Influential Individuals: Key DMPK scientific influencers – career path, research focus, future plans- Trending Technologies: Technological advances in DMPK science – what does it do and why is it needed?

Publisher

Pharmaron

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Sept 2023

Latest episode

8 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Dec 2025

   DMPK Insights #16: HR-LC/MS: A Key Consideration for Environmental Fate and Plant/Livestock Metabolism Studies

   For a captioned and video version or to access the transcript and ask a question for our experts about this podcast episode, please visit: https://www.pharmaron.com/knowledge-center/dmpk-insights-16-metabolism-studies/#cprtstatus=_cp_0!channel!AAIDoxPJjQQe In this special episode of the Pharmaron DMPK Insights Podcast Series, our experts explore the critical role of metabolism studies in agrochemical research. The discussion focuses on metabolite identification and its importance in determi...

2. 

   28 Aug 2025

   DMPK Insights #15: Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics: Driving decision making with PKPD throughout Drug Discovery

   For a captioned version or to access the transcript and ask a question for our experts about this podcast episode, please visit: https://www.pharmaron.com/knowledge-center/dmpk-insights-15-pkpd-drug-discovery/ In this episode of the Pharmaron DMPK Insights Podcast Series, Simon Taylor and Dr. Emile Chen discuss the relationship of drug concentration and effect (PKPD). PKPD is critical to decision making from initial modality selection, through molecule optimization, translational science and...

3. 

   1 Aug 2025

   DMPK Insights #14: Evolution of CNS Drug Disposition Models

   For a captioned version or to access the transcript, please visit: https://www.pharmaron.com/knowledge-center/dmpk-insights-14-cns-modelling/ In this podcast, Scott Summerfield and Professor Elizabeth de Lange discuss the evolution of CNS drug disposition models, highlighting the increasing sophistication of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, such as LeiCNS-PK3.0. They discuss how these tools are enhancing our understanding of CNS drug distribution, predicting human pharmaco...

4. 

   26 Jun 2025

   DMPK Insights #13: The Influence of QSAR and Physicochemical Descriptors on Drug Design​: A Brief History and New Paradigms​

   Industry experts explore the history and evolution of QSAR and physicochemical descriptors, revealing their impact on drug design and ADME property optimization in this interview episode.

5. 

   24 Apr 2025

   DMPK Insights #12: New Frontiers in Understanding the BBB Transport of Small Molecule Drugs

   For a captioned version or to access the transcript, please visit: https://www.pharmaron.com/knowledge-center/dmpk-insights-12-bbb-transporters/ In this podcast, Elena and Mikko will discuss the current state-of-the-art around transporter sub-types and their expression within the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and opportunities for utilizing these transporters for brain drug delivery. We will address the following questions: Current knowledge of BBB transporters in health and disease&n...

6. 

   18 Mar 2025

   DMPK Insights #11: Drug Meets Bug: How the Gut Microbiome Shapes DMPK

   In this podcast, Chris Bode (Pharmaron US Labs) interviews Peter Turnbaugh, a microbiologist and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of California San Francisco. Over the past 15-20 years, Peter has produced so much groundbreaking research in the endlessly fascinating field of the gut microbiome. His work is not limited to DMPK by any means, but in this episode, we discuss drug metabolism by gut bacteria and its impact on pharmacokinetics. Clinically, reduced efficacy a...

7. 

   15 Jan 2025

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

   DMPK Project Representative Kevin Beaumont shares insights on the critical role of people in delivering clinical drug candidates, highlighting the value of collaboration, integration, and evolution in pharmaceutical development.

8. 

   12 Aug 2024

   DMPK Insights #9: 60 and Beyond: Navigating the Frontiers of PBPK and QSP

   In this podcast, listeners will join us in celebrating the remarkable career of Professor Amin Rostami, a trailblazer in the realms of PBPK and QSP. Following his 60th birthday, Professor Rostami will provide insights into his journey, the dynamic evolution of PBPK and QSP, and the exciting horizons ahead. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersections of academia and industry, technological advancements, and the invaluable lessons garnered throughout a pioneering career.The episode explores ...

9. 

   8 Jul 2024

   DMPK Insights #8: It’s “All-go” with Oligos: Challenges and Opportunities in LC-MS of Therapeutic

   In this podcast, Robert MacNeill, Professor Michael Bartlett of the University of Georgia and Dr. Guilherme Guimaraes of Biogen, will focus on oligonucleotide LC-MS covering the exciting key challenges, the pivotal nature of sensitivity in such assays, and the various analytical approaches and technologies that have been used, currently in use or being developed. The episode explores the following: How recent liquid chromatographic and mass spectral innovations have impacted the bioanalysis of these drug modalities Where innovation is taking us particularly in terms of the increasing profile of high-resolution mass spectrometry and the push toward chromatographic miniaturization Speakers: Michael G. Bartlett, Ph.D., FAAPS – University Professor, Associate Dean for Science Education, Research and Technology, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia  – Professor, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College Over the past 29 years at the University of Georgia, Dr. Bartlett's group has been involved in the development, validation and implementation of novel bioanalytical methodologies to advance biomedical research.  His laboratory works broadly in the areas of drug discovery, development and toxicology resulting in over 190 peer-reviewed publications in a wide variety of areas.  His research has been supported by the NIH, EPA, DOD, ACS and industry. One area where Dr. Bartlett's lab has gained particular notoriety is in the use of LC-MS to analyze oligonucleotides. This work began during his time at the University of Utah but has accelerated over the past 15 years. Dr. Bartlett's group has studied many aspects involved in the use of LC-MS to evaluate therapeutic oligonucleotides for quality control, bioanalysis, pharmacokinetics and metabolism. They have also adapted many of these approaches to analyze microRNAs as potential disease biomarkers.  Finally, they have actively worked with many companies on the use of LC-MS to determine oligonucleotides including Pfizer, Ionis, ProQR, Newomics and Waters. Guilherme Guimaraes – Scientist DMPK at Biogen Dr. Guilherme (Gui) Guimaraes is a scientist in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics at Biogen. He is responsible for bioanalytical analysis of small molecules and antisense oligonucleotides.  Gui holds a Ph.D in pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences and a masters in international biomedical regulatory sciences from the University of Georgia. His graduate work was focused on the application of novel analytical strategies to improve the chromatographic performance and sensitivity of oligonucleotide LC-MS methods. Some of these strategies include the use of low adsorption surfaces and HILIC microflow LC – nanoelectrospray MS. Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

10. 

    10 May 2024

    DMPK Insights #7: Carboxylic Acids and DILI – Conjugation and Reputation

    In this podcast, Professor Ian Wilson, a globally recognised and leading expert in drug metabolism, with over 500 publications in the field, takes us on an engaging journey exploring the link between carboxylic acid containing drugs and their involvement in DILI. A special focus will be given to Ian’s latest paper: ‘Minimizing the DILI potential of carboxylic acid-containing drugs: a perspective’. The episode explores the following: Are acyl glucuronides shouldering too much of the blame? Where else should we be looking? What are the possible risk mitigation strategies to reduce DILI with these chemotypes? Speaker: Ian Wilson – Professor, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College Ian Wilson trained as a biochemist at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology UMIST) following this with a PhD in the Chemistry Dept. at Keele University on the gas chromatographic analysis of ecdysteroids (insect moulting hormones). Following a short period of postdoctoral research on HPLC-based methods for the analysis of penicillamine at University College in London he joined Pharma were he the embarked on a career in drug metabolism and bioanalysis is the pharmaceutical industry spanning over 30 years (beginning in 1979 at Hoechst, the ICI, Zeneca and AstraZeneca). On leaving AstraZeneca he joined Imperial College (London) in 2012 where he is currently a Visiting Professor of Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology. More recently he has also been appointed as a visiting Prof at Liverpool University. As a biochemist turned analytical chemist, he tries to use advanced analytical methods, including those based on UHPLC and ion mobility separations to better characterize and understand biological systems. Currently these efforts are focused on high resolution, high throughput methods that can be applied to problems in metabolic phenotyping (metabonomics/metabolomics), drug metabolism/biochemical toxicology, systems biology and the microbiome. He is the author, or co-author, of over 600 papers, reviews or book chapters, and has received awards in separation and analytical science from the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Chromatographic Society amongst others. Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

11. 

    6 Mar 2024

    DMPK Insights #6: Protein Mass Spectrometry: Advancing the Bioanalysis of Biotherapeutics and Biomarkers

    In this podcast, Scott and John will discuss the LC-MS techniques that have been applied for the bioanalysis of biotherapeutics. The episode explores the following: The impact that mass spectrometry is having in the biotherapeutics and biomarker space The rationale behind the use of LC-MS for certain biomarkers and how sensitive LC-MS assays can be developed (and the practical limits for lower limits of quantification that can be achieved) Developments in mass spectrometry that are expected to benefit the analysis of biomarkers and for biotherapeutics Speaker: John Mehl – Consultant John Mehl is currently consulting and previously worked as a director at GSK, leading the Protein MS group within the Bioanalysis, Immunogenicity and Biomarkers (BIB) department, Collegeville, PA. The group developed LC-MS assays for quantitative & qualitative analysis of biopharmaceuticals, protein & small molecule biomarkers and for the determination of in vivo protein turnover kinetics to support preclinical and clinical studies. Prior to joining GSK, John worked for BMS where he was a Sr. Principal Scientist focused on biomarker & large molecule quantification and characterization using MS.  John has a PhD degree in analytical chemistry from Vanderbilt University, postdoctoral training in protein MS from MIT and an MBA in business management from Temple University.  Before joining BMS, John worked for Merck in different analytical research areas including proteomics, small molecule DMPK, large molecule immunoassay method development and vaccine and biologics protein characterization, spanning both discovery and regulated laboratories.  He has published extensively on the use of hybrid LC-MS for both large and small molecule quantification. Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

12. 

    14 Dec 2023

    DMPK Insights #4: DMPK Past, Present and Future – A Festive Tale

    This podcast format is inspired by the Charles Dicken’s novella “A Christmas Carol” whereby Phil Jeffrey (Bicycle Therapeutics), Beth Williamson (UCB) and Daniel Price (Nimbus) discuss DMPK Past, Present and Future with Scott.  Key elements discussed include the evolution of DMPK as a predictive discipline that links helps the chemistry of drug design with the biology of drug disposition and effect. The episode addresses the following questions: The founding names and principles of DMPK and the emergence of Discovery DMPK Today’s use of technologies and in silico modelling and DMPK’s role in the 3 pillars/5Rs and PK/PD The outlook for better prediction with advances in AI/ML Speakers: Phil Jeffrey - Senior Vice President of Preclinical Development at Bicycle Therapeutics Phil Jeffrey is now semi-retired after contributing to DMPK for over 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry.  Most recently, Phil was Senior Vice President of Preclinical Development at Bicycle Therapeutics and previously has held positions at Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, SmithKline Beecham and The Upjohn Company.  Phil is a longstanding contributor the Society for Medicines Research and is an Honorary Professor at the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London.  Phil has a wide breadth of experience across DMPK from, Drug Discovery and early lead optimisation through to clinical proof of mechanism and proof of concept across a wide variety therapeutic areas and drug modalities and made significant contributions to the advancement of understanding the CNS penetration of drugs into the brain. Beth Williamson - Head of ADME in the DMPK group at UCB Beth graduated with a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Liverpool and is now Head of ADME in the DMPK group at UCB where she also represents DMPK on projects throughout discovery and development. Beth’s work has focussed on in vitro and in vivo ADME assay optimisation and validation within drug discovery, particularly to address bespoke questions. Beth has worked in the fields of oncology, neurology and immunology. Her main research interests include drug-drug interactions, extrapolation of pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo data for the prediction of human pharmacokinetics and application of AI/ML approaches within DMPK. Daniel Price - Vice President of Computational Chemistry & Structural Biology at Nimbus Therapeutics Dr. Daniel Price is Vice President of Computational Chemistry & Structural Biology at Nimbus Therapeutics, where he leads a team of internal and external scientists focused on delivering breakthrough medicines through structure-based design, leveraging both physics-based and knowledge-based predictive modeling.  Before joining Nimbus, he spent 16 years at GlaxoSmithKline, where he led a team of computational chemists and data scientists across diverse areas of structure- and ligand-based drug design, high-content screening analytics, predictive ADME, predictive synthesis, and chemogenomics.  He has led drug discovery programs, contributed to 4 clinical candidates, led the development of GSK’s first generation R&D data lake, and authored/co-authored 26 publications.  Dr. Price received his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from University of Colorado at Boulder followed by his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry from Yale University with Prof. Bill Jorgensen.   He completed an NIH postdoctoral fellowship with Prof. Charlie Brooks, III at The Scripps Research Institute prior to joining GSK. Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

13. 

    21 Sept 2023

    DMPK Insights #5: Mass Spectrometry Imaging - Past, Present and Future

    In this podcast, Josephine Bunch, Principal Research Scientist and Co-Director of the National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry (NiCE-MSI) at NPL,  talks about her work, and in particular her involvement in the Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge Programme. The episode explores the following: Recent innovations in MSI Challenges associated with analyzing ever more complex molecules Label-free vs labelled imaging Hardware and software improvements and how these affect the industry Combining imaging techniques to extract maximum information Exciting developments for the future, including personalized medicine and the innovative technologies that will make this a reality Speaker: Josephine Bunch, Ph.D. - Principal Research Scientist and Co-Director of the National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (NiCE-MSI) at NPL Josephine completed a Ph.D. in mass spectrometry imaging at Sheffield Hallam University, followed by a post-doc appointment at the University of Sheffield. Josephine then led a research group at the University of Birmingham, where she also lectured in Chemistry and Imaging. Josephine is currently based at the National Physics Laboratory where she is Co-Director of the National Centre of Excellence in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (NiCE-MSI) and is also Chair of Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry at Imperial College London.  She is currently leading the Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge programme – a fascinating project that aims to deliver new insights into cancer and cancer treatments using the latest mass spectrometry imaging techniques. Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

14. 

    18 Sept 2023

    DMPK Insights #3: Free Drug Theory: No Longer Just a Hypothesis?

    In this podcast, Scott Summerfield, Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Metabolism at Pharmaron discusses his recent publication on Free Drug Theory (FDT) with Simon including the principles, arguments, and project impact. This article was an invited contribution to a special edition of the Pharmaceutical Research Journal recognizing the achievements of Professor Margareta Hammarlund-Udenaes and Kp,uu. The episode addresses the following questions: What is the FDT? How FDT relates to fundamental physical and biochemical principles? How ambiguity in its definition can hamper discussions in drug design? Importance of linking drug-at-target concentrations to drug-target binding How to apply FDT as a starting point to understanding concentration-effect relationships and PK/PD? Speaker: Scott Summerfield, Ph.D.  - Senior Director, Pharmaceutical Metabolism at Pharmaron Dr Scott Summerfield is currently Senior Director and Head of Pharmaceutical Metabolism at Pharmaron where he leads the UK group and its support of the Life Sciences industry.  He studied Chemistry at Coventry University followed by a PhD in Biological Mass Spectrometry at Warwick University and then a Post Doctoral fellowship at Manchester University.  Scott joined the Pharma industry in 1997 as a member of SmithKline Beecham’s DMPK group.  At the formation of GSK he moved to Neuroscience Discovery serving in a range of roles from leading the bioanalytical and biotransformation team, DMPK program representative, and member of the company’s Blood-Brain Barrier Working Group.  Scott has led WW groups supporting nonclinical and clinical PK and Biomarker Bioanalysis and has published over 60 scientific articles and book chapters.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a children’s book author, a professional Coach, and a Kung Fu instructor. Reference: Summerfield, S.G., Yates, J.W. and Fairman, D.A., 2022. Free Drug Theory–No Longer Just a Hypothesis?. Pharmaceutical Research, 39(2): 213-222. Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

15. 

    17 Sept 2023

    DMPK Insights #2: Pathways to Successful Drug Design – Discovery Metabolite ID

    In this podcast, Dan Weston, Scientific Leader, Biotransformation at GSK discusses his recent publication on the important role that Metabolite ID plays in drug discovery. The episode addresses the following questions: Why studying biotransformation is an important part of early drug design A strategy to combine in silico tools, high-resolution MS and software-assisted data analysis to optimize data delivery and quality How this influences medicinal chemistry and the design–make–test cycle Speaker: Dan Weston, Ph.D.  - Scientific Leader, Biotransformation at GSK Dan gained his Ph.D. in ion-trap mass spectrometry from Nottingham Trent University.  He has held positions at Unilever (environmental fate using LC-MS); Schering-Plough (US) (small-molecule Met-ID for drug discovery); Nottingham Trent University (designing and building novel ion-mobility instrumentation); AstraZeneca (Met-ID for drug development); Waters (demo chemist, utility of ion mobility for small molecule applications); Sygnature (Met-ID Team Leader); and currently at GSK (Scientific Leader; providing cross-portfolio biotransformation support). His research interests include structural elucidation using novel mass spectrometric approaches; complementary analytical techniques such as ion mobility for data rationalization and insights into metabolite structure; in silico approaches for efficient data analysis; ambient ionization and rapid sample screening techniques Reference: Weston, D.J., Dave M., Colizza K. et al., 2022. A discovery biotransformation strategy: combining in silico tools with high-resolution mass spectrometry and software-assisted data analysis for high-throughput metabolism, Xenobiotica, 52(8): 928-942 Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

16. 

    12 Sept 2023

    DMPK Insights #1: Candidate Survival – 3 Pillars to 5Rs and Beyond

    In this podcast, Dr. Paul Morgan, Head of DMPK at Grünenthal Group, discusses the development of the publication that introduced the “5R framework” and improved the likelihood of AstraZeneca candidate survival from candidate drug nomination to Phase III. We will then discuss how the area has developed since then and where the field may go in the future. The episode addresses the following questions: What was the situation like that led to the development of the 5Rs? How was the analysis conducted? How was this analysis accepted both within the organization and externally? What changes occurred as a result of this? As we sit here today has this work led to the improvements suggested? What do you see as the future? Have we done enough? What else is needed? Speaker: Paul Morgan, Ph.D. - Head of DMPK at Grünenthal Group Dr Paul Morgan has worked in Pharma R&D for 30 years across multiple therapeutic areas taking projects from early discovery through all stages of drug development and registration.  With specialism in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK), he has led R&D departments in Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sosei Heptares and now Grunenthal working across the interface between DMPK and Med Chem, Pharmacology, Safety, Clinical and CMC.  He has a keen interest in R&D productivity enhancement and has contributed to major initiatives at both Pfizer and AstraZeneca to introduce frameworks for the improvement of drug survival.   Paul is an honorary senior lecturer in Department of Pharmacology at University of Liverpool where he did his PhD. Paul is originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland and is currently based in North-West England just outside Manchester.  He is married with two grown-up children and a lively dog! References: Morgan, P., et al, 2018. Impact of a five-dimensional framework on R&D productivity at AstraZeneca. Nature reviews Drug discovery 17.3: 167-181. Summerfield, S.G., Yates, J.W. and Fairman, D.A., 2022. Free Drug Theory–No Longer Just a Hypothesis?. Pharmaceutical Research, 39(2): 213-222. Smith, D.A., and Rowland, M., 2019. Intracellular and intraorgan concentrations of small molecule drugs: theory, uncertainties in infectious diseases and oncology, and promise. Drug Metabolism and Disposition 47.6: 665-672. Smith, D.A., Di, L. and Kerns, E.H., 2010. "The effect of plasma protein binding on in vivo efficacy: misconceptions in drug discovery." Nature reviews Drug discovery, 9.12: 929-939. Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!

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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

56

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

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