Alexander McDermott
Senior Scientist in Peptide Chemistry AstraZeneca
Alexander McDermott is a Senior Scientist in Peptide Chemistry at AstraZeneca, where he is focused on developing next-generation peptide therapeutics for challenging disease targets. His expertise spans the design and synthesis of peptide-based modalities aimed at modulating difficult protein–protein interactions, combining deep knowledge of peptide chemistry with experience in small molecule drug discovery to create innovative therapeutic strategies.
Prior to AstraZeneca, Alexander completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Southampton, where his research centred on cyclic peptide PROTACs and inhibitors targeting traditionally ‘undruggable’ proteins. His work leveraged high-throughput macrocyclic peptide discovery technologies to identify novel binders of protein–protein interactions, and he played a key role in multiple hit-to-lead programmes integrating medicinal chemistry, biophysical characterisation, and cellular assays.
Alexander’s career also includes experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, having led sterile production operations at Torbay Pharmaceuticals during the COVID-19 pandemic. This unique combination of drug discovery and operational experience provides him with a broad perspective on the development of peptide therapeutics, from early-stage innovation through to pharmaceutical production
Seminars
- Explore how cyclic peptide-based degraders are expanding the therapeutic landscape by enabling the selective degradation of disease-driving proteins beyond the reach of conventional small molecules.
- Understand the key design principles for engineering peptide degraders with improved target specificity, intracellular activity, and therapeutic potential.
- Discover emerging opportunities and translational challenges in applying peptide-based targeted protein degradation across oncology and other high-value therapeutic areas.
