Bioanalysis Rising Star Award finalist: Alejandro Rodriguez
Nominated by: Gizette Sperinde, Distinguished Scientist at Genentech (CA, USA)
Supporting comments:
“I am thrilled to nominate Alejandro for the Bioanalysis Rising Star Award, as his contributions to bioanalytical assay development, leadership and innovation have greatly benefited our organization. Alejandro has quickly mastered bioanalytical assay development across multiple platforms and matrices. As bioanalytical project representative for diverse programs at Genentech, he effectively manages complex projects. Alejandro’s innovative work was recognized with the 2024 Development Sciences Innovation Award for his collaboration on an interdisciplinary project to evaluate alternative animal species as potential toxicology species. He also contributed to bioanalytical publications with two first-author manuscripts.
Alejandro has taken on leadership roles as bioanalytical project representative, Gyrolab platform champion, and mentor of a junior scientist. His recent promotion to Principal Scientist is a reflection of his motivation and dedication. His efforts in implementing the Gyrolab generic plug-and-play assay have streamlined non-clinical ADA assays for monoclonal antibody therapeutics and were recognized with the Development Sciences Awards for Efficiency Champion, impacting many programs in Genentech’s pipeline.
Alejandro’s work is greatly appreciated, in addition to the positive tone and motivated energy he brings to all his efforts. I am confident he will rise to become an exceptional bioanalyst, and I look forward to witnessing his continued contributions and growth.”
Describe the main highlights of your bioanalytical work
I joined the Bioanalytical Sciences department at Genentech in October 2020 with no prior bioanalytical experience (BS and PhD in Chemistry). In June 2024, I was promoted from Senior Scientist to Principal Scientist.
My key contributions at Genentech involved program-focused development of bioanalytical assay methods. As the bioanalytical representative for a rapidly progressing antibody therapeutic program, I developed a plug-and-play ADA assay to support the selection of a lead candidate. This method accelerated timelines for assay development and implementation and streamlined non-clinical validations. Further implementation of this assay in the Gyrolab platform resulted in a co-first author publication. This assay format has also been recognized internally, as contributing to business efficiencies, receiving a Development Sciences Award in 2024.
Additionally, my work for a neurology program within the Genentech portfolio on the extension of PK assay dynamic range for serum and CSF has led to a first-author publication, showcasing further innovations in bioanalysis, and paving the way to consider PK assays in serum and CSF, not as separate measurements, but as an extension of a single measure.
The learnings and implementation of assays for these programs have set a precedent for impact in the broader clinical and non-clinical ADA assessments space within Genentech.
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