Cristina Lecci
About Cristina Lecci
Cristina Lecci is the Director of Drug Design at Exscientia, where she has worked since 2021. She has extensive experience in medicinal chemistry, having held various leadership roles at Evotec and a strong academic background in organic chemistry.
Current Role at Exscientia
Cristina Lecci serves as the Director of Drug Design at Exscientia, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she leads initiatives focused on drug design and development, contributing to the advancement of innovative therapeutic solutions. Her work is based in Oxford, England, where she applies her extensive knowledge and experience in medicinal chemistry to drive projects forward.
Previous Experience at Evotec
Cristina Lecci worked at Evotec for a total of eight years, holding various positions. She was a Group Leader in Medicinal Chemistry from 2017 to 2021 and a Team Leader in the same field from 2013 to 2017. During her tenure, she was recognized for implementing Lean principles that enhanced the efficiency of the global medicinal chemistry department.
Educational Background
Cristina Lecci studied at the Università di Pisa, where she earned a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry from 1996 to 2002. She furthered her education at Imperial College London, obtaining a PhD in Organic and Organometallic Chemistry from 2002 to 2005. This strong educational foundation supports her expertise in drug design and medicinal chemistry.
Expertise and Specialization
Cristina Lecci has extensive experience in various therapeutic areas, including oncology, inflammation, metabolic diseases, muscular dystrophy, and women’s reproductive health. She has a proven track record of delivering clinical and preclinical candidates by leading multidisciplinary and cross-site drug discovery teams. Her collaboration with international scientific and strategic partners has advanced numerous drug discovery projects.
Certification and Skills
Cristina Lecci holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, which highlights her expertise in process improvement and staff development initiatives. This certification reflects her commitment to enhancing operational efficiency within the drug discovery process.