John Okonya
About John Okonya
John Okonya serves as the Senior Manager of Drug Substance Development at Deciphera Pharmaceuticals and has extensive experience in drug substance process development and manufacturing. He has held various roles in the pharmaceutical industry, including significant positions at Turning Point Therapeutics and Sanofi, and possesses expertise in process chemistry and drug discovery.
Work at Deciphera Pharmaceuticals
John Okonya serves as Senior Manager of Drug Substance Development at Deciphera Pharmaceuticals since 2021. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the development and manufacturing processes of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). His expertise in process chemistry and project management contributes to the efficient progression of drug development initiatives. He has been instrumental in managing early to mid-stage development programs, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.
Current Role at Turning Point Therapeutics
Since 2022, John Okonya has held the position of Senior Manager for Drug Substance Process Development & Manufacture at Turning Point Therapeutics in San Diego, California. His role involves leading efforts in process design, optimization, and scale-up for API manufacturing. His extensive background in synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry supports the company's objectives in drug development and manufacturing.
Previous Experience at Sanofi
John Okonya worked at Sanofi from 2000 to 2015, where he held various roles including Principal Research Investigator and Senior Research Investigator. During his 15 years at the company, he contributed to research and development efforts in the pharmaceutical sector, focusing on drug discovery and development processes.
Education and Expertise
John Okonya earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Master’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nairobi. His educational background provides a strong foundation in process chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. He is proficient in modern analytical techniques and has extensive experience in project management, safety, quality assurance, and compliance within the pharmaceutical industry.
Achievements in Drug Development
Throughout his career, John Okonya has delivered several lead compounds targeting therapeutic areas such as oncology, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and rare diseases. He has managed the GMP manufacture of raw starting materials (RSMs) and APIs at contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). His contributions to drug discovery platforms include combinatorial chemistry and rational design, showcasing his ability to lead and innovate in the field of pharmaceutical development.