Christoph Boss
About Christoph Boss
Christoph Boss is the Vice President of Medicinal Chemistry with a notable career in drug discovery and development, having contributed to significant advancements in treatments for pulmonary hypertension and insomnia disorder.
Career at Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Christoph Boss began his career at Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd., where he contributed significantly to the field of medicinal chemistry. Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. was a prominent biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative drugs. During his tenure, Boss played a key role in drug discovery efforts, helping to advance the company's pipeline of therapeutic candidates.
Role at Johnson & Johnson
Following the acquisition of Actelion by Johnson & Johnson, Christoph Boss continued his professional journey with the pharmaceutical giant. At Johnson & Johnson, he maintained his focus on medicinal chemistry, integrating Actelion's innovative approaches with J&J's extensive resources and expertise in drug development. His role involved collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive forward Johnson & Johnson's mission to improve global health.
Leadership at Idorsia Pharmaceuticals
Christoph Boss serves as the Senior Vice President and Head of Drug Discovery Chemistry at Idorsia Pharmaceuticals. At Idorsia, he oversees and directs the medicinal chemistry strategies, ensuring the advancement of the company's drug discovery projects. Under his leadership, Idorsia has made significant strides in developing new therapeutic avenues, particularly in the cardiovascular and central nervous system spaces.
Significant Contributions in Medicinal Chemistry
Christoph Boss is renowned for his contributions as a co-inventor of several notable drugs. He played a pivotal role in the development of Macitentan, marketed as Opsumit®, for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. He is also a co-inventor of Aprocitentan, which is under FDA review for treating difficult types of hypertension. Additionally, Boss was instrumental in identifying Daridorexant, marketed as Quviviq®, used to treat insomnia disorder. These accomplishments highlight his substantial impact on medicinal chemistry and patient care.
Awards and Professional Affiliations
Christoph Boss was honored with the SCS Industrial Science Award by the Swiss Chemical Society, recognizing his contributions to chemical science in industry. He is also actively involved with various professional organizations, serving as a council member for both the FHNW Foundation and the Foundation of the Swiss Chemical Society. These roles underscore his commitment to advancing the field of chemistry and fostering professional development within the scientific community.
Educational Background
Christoph Boss earned his Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from The University of Bern in Switzerland. Following his doctorate, he expanded his expertise by completing postdoctoral work at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. Under the mentorship of Professor Julius Rebek, Jr., Boss further developed his skills in synthetic organic chemistry, laying a strong foundation for his subsequent achievements in the pharmaceutical industry.