Mark O’connor

Biography

Dr O’Connor has over 20 years experience in oncology research and development including an in-depth knowledge of DNA repair biology. Prior to joining Astrazeneca he was Chief Scientist at KuDOS Pharmaceuticals, a drug discovery company based in Cambridge (UK). KuDOS developed inhibitors of the DNA damage response (DDR) including the oral PARP inhibitor olaparib that has shown significant activity in Phase II trials. In early 2006 KuDOS became a wholly-owned subsidiary of AstraZeneca when it was bought for $210m

Research Interest

His research interest  involves leading the strategy to identify and develop inhibitors of DDR to generate new medicines for cancer patients. The current portfolio includes one approved product, two agents in clinical trials and an ATM inhibitor due to enter the clinic in 2015. Mark is also lead scientist for AstraZeneca’s  recently approved PARP inhibitor and AZD1775, a WEE1 inhibitor in Phase II. A key component of the DDR strategy was the in-licensing of the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 from Merck in late 2013.