Scientists / Our Scientists

Andy Boswell

Distinguished Scientist Development, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics, Development Sciences (joint appointment with Biomedical Imaging), Development Sciences

Postdoc Mentor

"I am driven by the opportunity to apply a multidisciplinary approach to drug development in an effort to improve patients’ lives."

Years at Genentech

Publications at Genentech

Awards & Honors

Since joining Genentech in 2007, I have been responsible for understanding the absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of many of our large molecule therapeutics to help ensure that we achieve adequate drug exposure in the appropriate tissue compartments. In the Investigative Pharmacokinetics group, we apply a multidisciplinary approach to characterize the biodistribution of antibodies, including radiochemical, biochemical and molecular imaging techniques. Our group provides support across all therapeutic areas, including neuroscience and ophthalmology for which there are unique challenges in drug delivery and development. In my lab, we strive to provide guidance in designing and selecting the best molecule as well as the appropriate dose and regimen to achieve the pharmacologic exposure needed for efficacy.

Post Doctoral Mentor

My research vision is focused at the interface of chemistry and biology, with particular interest in using radiochemical probes to aid in the design, delivery and development of large molecule therapeutics. Our lab is uniquely poised to combine quantitative tissue-level radiometric drug measurements with cell-level fluorescence microscopic evaluation of receptor occupancy and tissue penetration. The ability to tackle scientific questions that arise in drug development presents a unique opportunity for a successful postdoctoral research project.

Featured Publication

Effect of Modulating FcRn Binding on Direct and Pretargeted Tumor Uptake of Full-Length Antibodies.

Mol Cancer Ther. 2020 19(4): 1052-1058.

Nazarova L, Rafidi H, Mandikian D, Ferl GZ, Koerber JT, Davies CW, Ulufatu S, Ho J, Lau J, Yu SF, Ernst J, Sadowsky J and Boswell CA.

View Abstract

Therapeutic antibodies tend to have long biological half-lives compared to small molecule drugs. However, achieving systemic exposure does not guarantee that the molecule will reach its intended site of action. Diffusion through tumors, across the blood-brain barrier, or within ocular compartments… these are some of the many scenarios in which the tissue distribution of antibodies becomes critical. To address problems of assay sensitivity and/or matrix interference, radiolabeled probes may be employed in measuring the concentration of antibodies within tissues. Furthermore, we are able to pair radiochemical probes with imaging techniques such as single photon emission computed tomography, whole-body autoradiography and fluorescence microscopy to gain spatial insight into how our large molecule drugs are distributed within tissues in animal models. We also aim to understand mechanisms of off-target tissue uptake and how distribution is affected by dose, affinity, route of administration, and other factors.

On Demand Bioorthogonal Switching of an Antibody-Conjugated SPECT Probe to a Cytotoxic Payload: from Imaging to Therapy

Journal of the American Chemical Society, ISSN: 00027863

Pragya Adhikari; Guangmin Li; MaryAnn Go; Danielle Mandikian; Hanine Rafidi; Carl Ng; Sagana Anifa; Kevin Johnson; Linda Bao; Hilda Hernandez-Barry; Rebecca K. Rowntree; Nick Agard; Cong Wu; Kang-Jye Chou; Donglu Zhang; Katherine R. Kozak; Thomas H. Pillow; Gail D. Lewis; Shang-Fan Yu; C. Andrew Boswell; Jack D. Sadowsky

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Andy Boswell

Distinguished Scientist Development, Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics, Development Sciences (joint appointment with Biomedical Imaging), Development Sciences

Featured Publication

Effect of Modulating FcRn Binding on Direct and Pretargeted Tumor Uptake of Full-Length Antibodies.