Member SpotlightsA Physician’s Role in Drug Discovery: Central From the Beginning to the End Thomas Baranek, MD A Member Since April 2002  As head of the Clinical Research Department at Jomaa Pharmaka GmbH in Germany, Thomas Baranek, MD occupies a unique niche as a physician who has the opportunity to influence all stages of drug discovery research from target validation to the approval and registration of new drugs. Jomaa Pharmaka GmbH is a biotechnology research company interested in developing novel anti-infectives and immunotherapeutics. At present, the company’s focus is on the development of drugs against malaria, tuberculosis, gastrointestinal ulcers, multiple sclerosis and allergies. The mechanism of action of all these compounds involves the alternative isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway, which has just recently been discovered. In addition to his role in clinical research, Th. Baranek is also the company’s qualified person for pharmacovigilance and helps alert the government about problems with pharmaceutics and provides advice on the ways medicines may be used more safely.Th. Baranek studied medicine at the University of Gießen (Germany) where he also became certified in rescue medicine and obtained a degree for quality in health care management (EFQM). After graduation, he worked as physician in a local hospital and also made house calls to his patients. In addition, his career includes working in the pharmaceutical industry and for a contract research organization in internal medicine as a monitor and project manager for clinical trials before coming to Jomaa Pharmaka GmbH. Among his many honors, he was awarded the E.R. Physician Award for 2000 by the Gusto Research Group as well as the First Aid Award for 2000. Th. Baranek is especially interested in tropical medicine, autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections and allergies. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), he is currently planning a Phase III multicenter clinical trial for a new malaria therapy in several African countries. Th. Baranek is also working closely with an international network of universities in Europe, Africa and South America to conduct this and other related trials. When not thinking about treating diseases and disorders, Th. Baranek enjoys golfing, biking, horseback riding and playing ice hockey. If he has time, he also tinkers with old cars. Th. Baranek just returned from an extensive trip to multiple countries in Africa where he enhanced his knowledge of tropical medicine. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Member Spotlights ] |
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