Human DNA
How new findings are allowing novel drugs to be discovered
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Join us Wednesday, February 22, at 1:30 p.m.
In this presentation Dr. Robert F. G. Booth, one of our distinguished members, will describe how DNA functions and its role in allowing life to continue. Although the double helix structure of DNA has been known for more than 50 years, the specific sequence of DNA was only discovered about 5 years ago. Since that time, a wide range of discoveries have been made that allow us to understand what makes humans human and also provides us with insights into the causes of a number of diseases. As a result of these discoveries, a number of new diagnostics have emerged and a number of new therapies have been developed. Dr. Booth will describe some new discoveries which have allowed novel treatments to be developed for melanoma and a new discovery which provides insights into the causes of some autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.  Dr. Robert F. G. Booth is a biochemist and drug discoverer. He earned a Ph.D in Biochemistry from St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School, University of London. He was Senior Vice President at Roche Pharmaceuticals from 1989 to 1996 in the UK, and 1996 to 2002 in Palo Alto. He brought the first HIV protease inhibitor to the market which resulted in a dramatic drop in mortality from that disease. Roche won the Prix Galien for that discovery (Most prestigious prize awarded in the Pharmaceutical Industry).
He was Chief Scientific Officer at Celera Genomics from 2002 to 2006. Celera was the first to sequence the human genome. Dr. Booth was recruited to transform them into a pharmaceutical company. He was Operating Partner and Senior Advisor at TPG venture capital from 2006 to 2010. Dr. Booth founded Virobay, Inc. in 2007, and served as Chairman. He has been CEO of Virobay, Menlo Park since 2010. Virobay is an R & D company that discovers and develops new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as dermatological diseases, Crohn’s Disease, pain, bone cancer, and liver fibrosis.
Dr. Booth serves as Director on various Boards. He has written 50 articles and is author of the book, High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Location:
First Republic Bank
Going South on Foothill Expressway, turn left on San Antonio Road, go past First St. and turn left on Lyell.
Bank will be on your left.
Use the parking lot across from the bank on Lyell.
Email Myrna Diaz to reserve a spot.
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