Laetitia Comps-Agrar
Senior Principal Scientist and Director, Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Drug Discovery
"I am fortunate to work in such a highly collaborative environment with top-tiered scientists, who aim at conducting high quality science and translate it into transformative medicines for patients."
I obtained a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Montpellier, France, where I studied the pharmacology of G-protein coupled receptors and delineated how their oligomerization influences their physiological function. I joined Genentech as a postdoctoral fellow in 2011. During that time, I was involved in three research projects that led to the identification and/or characterization of therapeutic molecules that transitioned to the clinic. This was an exciting time that contributed to my decision to stay with the company as a Scientist and lead my own lab. I could not think of a better place to do science at its highest level and translate these findings into therapeutics that could benefit patients.
Postdoctoral Mentor
I feel privileged to have transitioned from being a postdoc at Genentech to becoming a mentor for our next generation of postdoctoral fellows and sharing my experience with them. The postdoc program is truly unique as postdocs have the opportunity to conduct high quality basic research, while benefiting from world-class technology platforms and being exposed to drug discovery activities. In addition, the postdoc community is strongly supported through regular seminars, training and yearly offsites. This gives them the opportunity to focus on the important scientific hypothesis they aim to address. It is truly a rewarding experience to help them navigate and appreciate the potential of such a vast organization and see them evolve towards becoming independent scientists.
Featured Publication
HPK1 citron homology domain regulates phosphorylation of SLP76 and modulates kinase domain interaction dynamics.
Nature Communications
Avantika S. Chitre; Ping Wu; Benjamin T. Walters; Xiangdan Wang; Alexandre Bouyssou; Xiangnan Du; Isabelle Lehoux; Rina Fong; Alisa Arata; Joyce Chan; Die Wang; Yvonne Franke; Jane L. Grogan; Ira Mellman#; Laetitia Comps-Agrar#; Weiru Wang# (#co-corresponding authors) 2024
Massive antibody discovery used to probe structure-function relationships of the essential outer membrane protein LptD.
Elife 8. pii: e46258. (2019).
Storek KM, Chan J, Vij R, Chiang N, Lin Z, Bevers J 3rd, Koth CM, Vernes JM, Meng YG, Yin J, Wallweber H, Dalmas O, Shriver S, Tam C, Schneider K, Seshasayee D, Nakamura G, Smith PA, Payandeh J*, Koerber JT*, Comps-Agrar L*, Rutherford ST*. (*co-corresponding author)
Unliganded fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 forms density-independent dimers.
J Biol Chem. 290(40):24166-77. (2015).
Comps-Agrar L*, Dunshee DR, Eaton DL, Sonoda J*. (*co-corresponding author)
The immunoreceptor TIGIT regulates anti-tumor and anti-viral CD8+ T cell effector function.
Cancer Cell 26(6):923-37. (2015).
Johnston RJ, Comps-Agrar L, Hackney J, Yu X, Huseni M, Yang Y, Park S, Javinal V, Chiu H, Irving B, Eaton DL, Grogan JL.
The main focus of my group is to support the discovery and characterization of therapeutic candidates within multi-disciplinary project teams in the areas of ocular, immunology, cancer-immunology and oncology. This involves establishing and implementing state-of-the-art technologies enabling the development of functional and bioanalytical assays such as potency, PD biomarker, immunogenicity and stability assays. A particular emphasis is put on identifying physiologically relevant assays that can help predict clinical efficacy and impact the development of lead candidates. My group includes key core platforms that impact gRED biologics pipeline such as cell-based antibody affinity, receptor biology, immunogenicity prediction and complex in vitro assays (organoids…).
My research interest is focused on studying and comparing receptor pharmacology in healthy and disease conditions and evaluating the impact of therapeutic intervention. By combining cell based biophysical and structure function approaches, we identify cell-signaling pathways and protein:protein interactions that are modulated under these conditions. Strong collaboration across Genentech Research Groups allows for the translation of these in vitro findings to disease relevant models.
- University of Montpellier II, France, Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology – 2010
- University of Montpellier II, France, M.S. in Biotechnology – 2006
- Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse III, France, B.S. in Biotechnology – 2005
- Special Innovation award – 2024
- gRED Recognition Award – 2022
- Genentech Key Contributor Award – 2019
- Industrial Ph.D. Fellowship, CIFRE - ANRT – 2006