Molecular Insight is led by a highly experienced and proven management team. Each member has a strong track record in high-performance organizations that have created significant and sustainable value. The drug development process can be complex and Molecular Insight’s management team offers deep expertise in all aspects of the process to drive products toward commercialization.
John W. Babich, Ph.D.
President and Chief Scientific Officer
John W. Babich, Ph.D., a founder of the company in 1997, serves as President and Chief Scientific Officer. He has been an active researcher in the field of molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy for the past 25 years. Prior to joining the Company, he was Assistant Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School and Staff Radiopharmaceutical Chemist at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to joining MGH, Dr. Babich was Principal Scientist and Head of the Radiopharmaceutical Section at the Institute of Cancer Research in England. Dr. Babich's current research efforts focus on molecular imaging in cardiovascular disease, oncology and neurology. His previous research experience includes detection of breast and colorectal cancer using monoclonal antibodies, pharmacological and in vivo biological studies of novel small molecules for targeted therapy of neuroblastoma, the use of peptide-based molecular imaging agents for the detection of infection and cancer, and the use of positron emission tomography for the study of drug interactions in humans. He has published more than 100 research articles in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, as well as several book chapters and invited reviews. He is inventor or co-inventor of numerous issued and pending patents licensed to or property of the Company. He is also co-inventor of a cardiac imaging product currently marketed by Mallinckrodt-TycoHealthcare, Inc. as Ultra-Tag. Dr. Babich recently served as President of the Society of Nuclear Medicine's Radiopharmaceutical Science Council. Dr. Babich received a B.S. degree in pharmaceutical sciences from St. John’s University, an M.S. from University of Southern California, and a Ph.D. from the University of London.
Wendy Graham-Coco
Vice President, Portfolio Strategy and Manufacturing
In December 2009, Wendy Graham-Coco was named Vice President of Portfolio Strategy and Manufacturing, a role in which she directs the collection, assimilation and management of data to best understand patient need, the physician perspective and ultimately the market uptake of the Company’s product portfolio. Her Portfolio Strategy responsibilities include providing strategic input on business development activities, including partnering initiatives. In her capacity as head of manufacturing, Ms. Graham-Coco coordinates all manufacturing and supply chain activities, both for the Company and for its partners. She continues to lead Molecular Insight’s program management team. Ms. Graham-Coco has served as Vice President since January of 2008. She has more than 20 years of research experience, including 16 years in discovery research, of which seven were in academic drug discovery at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She has experience managing various phases of drug development, including preclinical development, early clinical development and manufacturing. Prior to her tenure as Vice President at Molecular Insight, Ms. Graham-Coco served in various roles in Program Management, Operations and Business Development. She earned a B.A. in biology, Pre-Med at Boston University and an M.B.A. from Simmons Graduate School of Management.
John L. Joyal, Ph.D
Vice President of Discovery Research
John L. Joyal, Ph.D. has served as our Vice President of Discovery Research since January of 2008. He joined Molecular Insight as Director of Biology in 2005. He has over 20 years of oncology basic research and drug discovery experience with expertise in cell and molecular biology particularly in the areas of receptor biology, signal transduction pathways, and assay development. Prior to joining Molecular Insight, Dr. Joyal was Director of Discovery Research at Phylogix Pharmaceuticals where he led a team evaluating the biology and mechanism of action of protein therapeutics for oncology supportive care. From 1997 to 2004, he held several positions at Praecis Pharmaceuticals including Director of Cell Biology, where he initiated or contributed to the establishment of numerous research projects focusing on the discovery of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, infectious disease, and neurological disorders. From 1993 to 1997, Dr. Joyal did his post-doctoral training at Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women’s Hospital examining novel interactions between the calcium sensor, calmodulin, and proteins involved in breast carcinogenesis and growth factor signaling. He received his Ph.D. in biology in 1994 from Tufts University studying mitochondrial physiology.
James Wachholz
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance
James Wachholz has served as Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance since May 2005. He has more than 20 years of experience in regulatory affairs and product development at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. From 2003 to May 2005, he worked at Accentia Biopharmaceuticals, where he served as Chief Regulatory Officer. From 1998 to 2003 Mr. Wachholz worked at Sepracor Inc., where he served as the Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs. Previously, Mr. Wachholz held regulatory and compliance positions at Hybridon, Inc., Searle Pharmaceuticals and Baxter International. Mr. Wachholz received a B.S. in biochemistry from Northern Illinois University and an M.B.A. from DePaul University.