Overview
I am an experienced medicinal chemist with has a strong background in drug discovery, evidenced by more than 20 papers and several patents in the area.
I have several years of postdoctoral training in European (Perugia, Copenhagen and Cardiff Universities) and American (University of Southern California) centres of excellent for research, where I was collaborating with several pharmaceutical companies (Lunbeck, Bioberica, TSRL, Inhibitex/BMS and NuCana). In USA, I have actively contributed to the writing of highly competitive NIH grant for the development of antiviral nucleotide analogues whereas at Cardiff at the School of Pharmacy I was the PI of a translational oncology project sponsored by NuCana. Since October 2020 I am in my first lecturer appointment.
I have expertise in organic chemistry, Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) development, understanding of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) and pharmacokinetic properties, which are fundamental attributes for compound design and selection of lead candidates. I have deep knowledge of LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy, which I use for characterizing and studying the stability and metabolic pathway of novel analogues.
My research interest encompasses several areas of drug discovery as the antiviral and anticancer fields as well as rare diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
Publication
2024
- Pertusati, F., Serpi, M., Morozzi, C., James, E., Renno, G., Cardano, F. and Fin, A. 2024. Fingolimod phosphoramidate prodrugs: Synthesis, photophysical characterisation and lipid bilayer interaction of fluorescent tagged Prodrug. Journal of Molecular Structure 1312(2), article number: 138614. (10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.138614)
- Serpi, M., di Ciano, S. and Pertusati, F. 2024. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of aryloxy thiophosphoramidate triesters of anticancer nucleoside analogues. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 103, article number: 117696. (10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117696)
2023
- Douglas, E. A. et al. 2023. Improved antibacterial activity of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-based compounds that restrict Staphylococcus aureus growth independent of LtaS function. ACS Infectious Diseases 9(11), pp. 2141-2159. (10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00250)
- Serpi, M. et al. 2023. Synthesis, molecular docking and antibacterial activity of an oxadiazole-based lipoteichoic acid inhibitor and its metabolites. Journal of Molecular Structure 1278, article number: 134977. (10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.134977)
- Cook, S. R., Kirkham, E. D., Best, H., Waller-Evans, H., Serpi, M., Pertusati, F. and Lloyd-Evans, E. 2023. Investigating lysosomal and cellular phenotypes of the lysosomal disorder cystinosis. Presented at: 19th Annual WORLDSymposium™ 2023, Orlando, Florida, 21-26 February 2023, Vol. 138. Vol. 2. Elsevier pp. 28-28., (10.1016/j.ymgme.2022.107061)
2022
- Serpi, M., Ferrari, V., McGuigan, C., Ghazaly, E. and Pepper, C. 2022. Synthesis and characterization of nuc-7738, an aryloxy phosphoramidate of 3?-deoxyadenosine, as a potential anticancer agent. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 65(23), pp. 15789-15804. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01348)
2021
- Schwenzer, H. et al. 2021. The novel nucleoside analogue ProTide NUC-7738 overcomes cancer resistance mechanisms in vitro and in a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial. Clinical Cancer Research 27(23), pp. 6500-6513. (10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-1652)
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M., Ghazaly, E., Kariuki, B. M., McGuigan, C. and Pepper, C. 2021. Single diastereomers of the clinical anticancer ProTide agents NUC-1031 and NUC-3373 preferentially target cancer stem cells in vitro. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 64(12), pp. 8179-8193. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02194)
- Griffith, H., Serpi, M., Slusarczyk, M. and McGuigan, C. 2021. Phosphoramidate nucleoside derivatives as anticancer agents. WO2017207986A1; US20210130387A1 [Patent].
- Vanden Avond, M. A. et al. 2021. The nucleotide prodrug CERC‐913 improves mtDNA content in primary hepatocytes from DGUOK‐deficient rats. Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease 44(2), pp. 492-501. (10.1002/jimd.12354)
- Serpi, M. and Pertusati, F. 2021. An overview of ProTide technology and its implications to drug discovery. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery 16(10), pp. 1149--1161. (10.1080/17460441.2021.1922385)
2020
- Pertusati, F. et al. 2020. Drug repurposing: phosphate prodrugs of anticancer and antiviral FDA-approved nucleosides as novel antimicrobials. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 75(10), pp. 2864-2878. (10.1093/jac/dkaa268)
2019
- Morozzi, C. et al. 2019. Targeting GNE myopathy: A dual prodrug approach for the delivery of N-acetylmannosamine 6-phosphate. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 62(17), pp. 8178-8193. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00833)
2018
- Slusarczyk, M., Ferrari, V., Serpi, M., Gonczy, B., Balzarini, J. and McGuigan, C. 2018. Symmetrical diamidates as a class of phosphate prodrugs to deliver the 5'-monophosphate form of anticancer nucleoside analogues. ChemMedChem 13(21), pp. 2305-2316. (10.1002/cmdc.201800504)
- Pileggi, E., Serpi, M. and Pertusati, F. 2018. Preparation of pyrimidine alkenyl acyclic nucleoside phosphonoamidates. Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry 74(13-14), article number: e56. (10.1002/cpnc.56)
- Pileggi, E., Serpi, M., Andrei, G., Schols, D., Snoeck, R. and Pertusati, F. 2018. Expedient synthesis and biological evaluation of alkenyl acyclic nucleoside phosphonate prodrugs. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 26(12), pp. 3596-3609. (10.1016/j.bmc.2018.05.034)
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M. and Pertusati, F. 2018. Phosphoramidates and phosphonamidates (ProTides) with antiviral activity. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 26, pp. 1-31. (10.1177/2040206618775243)
2017
- Griffith, H., Serpi, M., Slusarczyk, M. and McGuigan, C. 2017. Adenosine derivatives for use in the treatment of cancer. WO2017207989A1 [Patent].
- Serpi, M., De Biasi, R., Pertusati, F., Slusarczyk, M. and McGuigan, C. 2017. Synthetic approaches for the preparation of phosphoramidate prodrugs of 2’-deoxypseudoisocytidine. ChemistryOpen 6(3), pp. 424-436. (10.1002/open.201700019)
2016
- Marinozzi, M., Pertusati, F. and Serpi, M. 2016. λ5-Phosphorus-Containing α-Diazo Compounds (PCDCs): a valuable tool for accessing phosphorus-functionalized molecules. Chemical Reviews 116(22), pp. 13991-14055. (10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00373)
- Serpi, M., Ferrari, V. and Pertusati, F. 2016. Nucleosided derived antibiotics to fight microbial drug resistance: New utilities for an established class of drugs?. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 59(23), pp. 10343-10382. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00325)
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2016. Anti-flavivirus activity of different tritylated pyrimidine and purine nucleoside analogues. ChemistryOpen 5(3), pp. 227-235. (10.1002/open.201500216)
2015
- Pertusati, F., McGuigan, C. and Serpi, M. 2015. Symmetrical diamidate prodrugs of nucleotide analogues for drug delivery. In: Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 60:15.6.1-15.6.10., (10.1002/0471142700.nc1506s60)
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M., Griffith, H., McGuigan, C. and Ferrari, V. 2015. Gemcitabine Prodrugs. WO 2015/198058; GB51857 [Patent].
- Ferrari, V. and Serpi, M. 2015. Nucleoside analogs and tuberculosis: new weapons against an old enemy. Future Medicinal Chemistry 7(3), pp. 291-314. (10.4155/fmc.14.166)
- Ferrari, V., Serpi, M., McGuigan, C. and Pertusati, F. 2015. Chemoselective N-deacetylation of protected nucleosides and nucleotides promoted by the Schwartz's reagent. Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids 34(11), pp. 799-814. (10.1080/15257770.2015.1075552)
2014
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2014. ProTides of N-(3-(5-(2'-deoxyuridine))prop-2-ynyl)octanamide as potential anti-tubercular and anti-viral agents. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 22(9), pp. 2816-2824. (10.1016/j.bmc.2014.02.056)
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M., Griffith, H., McGuigan, C. and Ferrari, V. 2014. Prodrug. IN 2014MU02050 [Patent].
2013
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2013. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of phosphorodiamidate prodrugs of antiviral and anticancer nucleosides. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 70, pp. 326-340. (10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.09.047)
2012
- Serpi, M. et al. 2012. Novel phosphoramidate prodrugs of N-Acetyl-(d)-Glucosamine with antidegenerative activity on bovine and human cartilage explants. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 55(10), pp. 4629-4639. (10.1021/jm300074y)
2011
- Pertusati, F., Serpi, M. and McGuigan, C. 2011. Medicinal chemistry of nucleoside phosphonate prodrugs for antiviral therapy. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 22(5), pp. 181-203. (10.3851/IMP2012)
2010
- Morgan, A. H. et al. 2010. Quantitative assays for esterified oxylipins generated by immune cells. Nature Protocols 5(12), pp. 1919-1931. (10.1038/nprot.2010.162)
2008
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2008. Phosphate prodrugs derived from N-acetylglucosamine have enhanced chondroprotective activity in explant cultures and represent a new lead in antiosteoarthritis drug discovery. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 51(18), pp. 5807-5812. (10.1021/jm800594c)
Articles
- Pertusati, F., Serpi, M., Morozzi, C., James, E., Renno, G., Cardano, F. and Fin, A. 2024. Fingolimod phosphoramidate prodrugs: Synthesis, photophysical characterisation and lipid bilayer interaction of fluorescent tagged Prodrug. Journal of Molecular Structure 1312(2), article number: 138614. (10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.138614)
- Serpi, M., di Ciano, S. and Pertusati, F. 2024. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of aryloxy thiophosphoramidate triesters of anticancer nucleoside analogues. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 103, article number: 117696. (10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117696)
- Douglas, E. A. et al. 2023. Improved antibacterial activity of 1,3,4-oxadiazole-based compounds that restrict Staphylococcus aureus growth independent of LtaS function. ACS Infectious Diseases 9(11), pp. 2141-2159. (10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00250)
- Serpi, M. et al. 2023. Synthesis, molecular docking and antibacterial activity of an oxadiazole-based lipoteichoic acid inhibitor and its metabolites. Journal of Molecular Structure 1278, article number: 134977. (10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.134977)
- Serpi, M., Ferrari, V., McGuigan, C., Ghazaly, E. and Pepper, C. 2022. Synthesis and characterization of nuc-7738, an aryloxy phosphoramidate of 3?-deoxyadenosine, as a potential anticancer agent. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 65(23), pp. 15789-15804. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01348)
- Schwenzer, H. et al. 2021. The novel nucleoside analogue ProTide NUC-7738 overcomes cancer resistance mechanisms in vitro and in a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial. Clinical Cancer Research 27(23), pp. 6500-6513. (10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-21-1652)
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M., Ghazaly, E., Kariuki, B. M., McGuigan, C. and Pepper, C. 2021. Single diastereomers of the clinical anticancer ProTide agents NUC-1031 and NUC-3373 preferentially target cancer stem cells in vitro. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 64(12), pp. 8179-8193. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02194)
- Vanden Avond, M. A. et al. 2021. The nucleotide prodrug CERC‐913 improves mtDNA content in primary hepatocytes from DGUOK‐deficient rats. Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease 44(2), pp. 492-501. (10.1002/jimd.12354)
- Serpi, M. and Pertusati, F. 2021. An overview of ProTide technology and its implications to drug discovery. Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery 16(10), pp. 1149--1161. (10.1080/17460441.2021.1922385)
- Pertusati, F. et al. 2020. Drug repurposing: phosphate prodrugs of anticancer and antiviral FDA-approved nucleosides as novel antimicrobials. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 75(10), pp. 2864-2878. (10.1093/jac/dkaa268)
- Morozzi, C. et al. 2019. Targeting GNE myopathy: A dual prodrug approach for the delivery of N-acetylmannosamine 6-phosphate. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 62(17), pp. 8178-8193. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00833)
- Slusarczyk, M., Ferrari, V., Serpi, M., Gonczy, B., Balzarini, J. and McGuigan, C. 2018. Symmetrical diamidates as a class of phosphate prodrugs to deliver the 5'-monophosphate form of anticancer nucleoside analogues. ChemMedChem 13(21), pp. 2305-2316. (10.1002/cmdc.201800504)
- Pileggi, E., Serpi, M. and Pertusati, F. 2018. Preparation of pyrimidine alkenyl acyclic nucleoside phosphonoamidates. Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry 74(13-14), article number: e56. (10.1002/cpnc.56)
- Pileggi, E., Serpi, M., Andrei, G., Schols, D., Snoeck, R. and Pertusati, F. 2018. Expedient synthesis and biological evaluation of alkenyl acyclic nucleoside phosphonate prodrugs. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 26(12), pp. 3596-3609. (10.1016/j.bmc.2018.05.034)
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M. and Pertusati, F. 2018. Phosphoramidates and phosphonamidates (ProTides) with antiviral activity. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 26, pp. 1-31. (10.1177/2040206618775243)
- Serpi, M., De Biasi, R., Pertusati, F., Slusarczyk, M. and McGuigan, C. 2017. Synthetic approaches for the preparation of phosphoramidate prodrugs of 2’-deoxypseudoisocytidine. ChemistryOpen 6(3), pp. 424-436. (10.1002/open.201700019)
- Marinozzi, M., Pertusati, F. and Serpi, M. 2016. λ5-Phosphorus-Containing α-Diazo Compounds (PCDCs): a valuable tool for accessing phosphorus-functionalized molecules. Chemical Reviews 116(22), pp. 13991-14055. (10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00373)
- Serpi, M., Ferrari, V. and Pertusati, F. 2016. Nucleosided derived antibiotics to fight microbial drug resistance: New utilities for an established class of drugs?. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 59(23), pp. 10343-10382. (10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00325)
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2016. Anti-flavivirus activity of different tritylated pyrimidine and purine nucleoside analogues. ChemistryOpen 5(3), pp. 227-235. (10.1002/open.201500216)
- Ferrari, V. and Serpi, M. 2015. Nucleoside analogs and tuberculosis: new weapons against an old enemy. Future Medicinal Chemistry 7(3), pp. 291-314. (10.4155/fmc.14.166)
- Ferrari, V., Serpi, M., McGuigan, C. and Pertusati, F. 2015. Chemoselective N-deacetylation of protected nucleosides and nucleotides promoted by the Schwartz's reagent. Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids 34(11), pp. 799-814. (10.1080/15257770.2015.1075552)
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2014. ProTides of N-(3-(5-(2'-deoxyuridine))prop-2-ynyl)octanamide as potential anti-tubercular and anti-viral agents. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry 22(9), pp. 2816-2824. (10.1016/j.bmc.2014.02.056)
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2013. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of phosphorodiamidate prodrugs of antiviral and anticancer nucleosides. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 70, pp. 326-340. (10.1016/j.ejmech.2013.09.047)
- Serpi, M. et al. 2012. Novel phosphoramidate prodrugs of N-Acetyl-(d)-Glucosamine with antidegenerative activity on bovine and human cartilage explants. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 55(10), pp. 4629-4639. (10.1021/jm300074y)
- Pertusati, F., Serpi, M. and McGuigan, C. 2011. Medicinal chemistry of nucleoside phosphonate prodrugs for antiviral therapy. Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy 22(5), pp. 181-203. (10.3851/IMP2012)
- Morgan, A. H. et al. 2010. Quantitative assays for esterified oxylipins generated by immune cells. Nature Protocols 5(12), pp. 1919-1931. (10.1038/nprot.2010.162)
- McGuigan, C. et al. 2008. Phosphate prodrugs derived from N-acetylglucosamine have enhanced chondroprotective activity in explant cultures and represent a new lead in antiosteoarthritis drug discovery. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 51(18), pp. 5807-5812. (10.1021/jm800594c)
Book sections
- Pertusati, F., McGuigan, C. and Serpi, M. 2015. Symmetrical diamidate prodrugs of nucleotide analogues for drug delivery. In: Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid Chemistry. Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 60:15.6.1-15.6.10., (10.1002/0471142700.nc1506s60)
Conferences
- Cook, S. R., Kirkham, E. D., Best, H., Waller-Evans, H., Serpi, M., Pertusati, F. and Lloyd-Evans, E. 2023. Investigating lysosomal and cellular phenotypes of the lysosomal disorder cystinosis. Presented at: 19th Annual WORLDSymposium™ 2023, Orlando, Florida, 21-26 February 2023, Vol. 138. Vol. 2. Elsevier pp. 28-28., (10.1016/j.ymgme.2022.107061)
Patents
- Griffith, H., Serpi, M., Slusarczyk, M. and McGuigan, C. 2021. Phosphoramidate nucleoside derivatives as anticancer agents. WO2017207986A1; US20210130387A1 [Patent].
- Griffith, H., Serpi, M., Slusarczyk, M. and McGuigan, C. 2017. Adenosine derivatives for use in the treatment of cancer. WO2017207989A1 [Patent].
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M., Griffith, H., McGuigan, C. and Ferrari, V. 2015. Gemcitabine Prodrugs. WO 2015/198058; GB51857 [Patent].
- Slusarczyk, M., Serpi, M., Griffith, H., McGuigan, C. and Ferrari, V. 2014. Prodrug. IN 2014MU02050 [Patent].
Research
Antibacterial
Among drug resistant gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, which is responsible for skin and soft tissue infections and bacterial sepsis, is perhaps the pathogen of greatest concern. The mortality of S. aureus bacteremia remains approximately 20–40%. S. aureus is increasingly resistant to a greater number of antimicrobial agents (e.g. methicillin-resistant strain (MRSA)). The glycol-peptide antibiotic vancomycin is often seen as a last resort to treat such infections; however, strains with vancomycin resistance (VRE) have already been reported. Due to the increasing difficulty in treating these infections new ways of inhibiting the growth of S. aureus and other bacteria strains (e.g. MRSA, C. difficile, Enterococcus faecalis, etc.) are heavily sought after. For this we are investigating small drug molecules as potential inhibitors of the synthesis of Lipoteichoic acid. Two enzymes are the specific targets:
1) the lipoteichoic acids synthase (LtaS), a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of type I LTA the synthesis of (LTAs), which are glycol-polymers that functionalize the peptidoglycan in gram positive organisms. LTAs are essential for the growth of gram-positive bacteria.
2) D-alanyl carrier protein ligase (AMP forming) (DltA), which is one of the enzyme involved in the functionalization of LTA with D-alanine. Blocking the D-alanylation process, leads in many pathogenic bacteria to a higher susceptibility to cationic antibiotics and an increased host defenses. Lack of D-alanine also abolishes biofilm production and reduces pathogenicity of these bacteria.
This work was funded by a ISSF3 wellcome trust cross disciplinary award in collaboration with Prof David Williams at the School of Dentistry and Dr Ian Fallis at the School of Chemistry at Cardiff University. A GW4 Seed award has allowed to expand the collaboration to Dr Maisem Labei at Bath University, Dr Seana Duggan at Bristol university and Dr Dhara Malavia and Dr Mark Stappers at Exeter University. Prof Laura De Luca at Messina university is also supporting the project with computer-aided drug design tecniques.
Repurposing nucleoside drugs as antibiotic. Specifically Nucleoside analogues used in the treatment of viral infections and cancer conditions have been shown to also have some effect against bacteria. In particular numerous natural nucleosides and their synthetically modified analogues have been reported to have moderate to good antibiotic activity against different bacterial and fungal strains. These compounds target several crucial processes of bacterial and fungal cells such as nucleoside metabolism and cell wall, nucleic acid, and protein biosynthesis. Therefore, they have a great potential to be used as antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially those caused by multi-resistant bacterial strains.
Novel antibiotics are urgently needed to combat the rise of infections due to drug-resistant microorganisms. I am currently exploring the potential of old nucleosides and their new analogues to fight antimicrobial resistance.
This work is in collaboration with Dr Mandy Wootton, Lead Scientist at the Specialist Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Unit at Microbiology Cardiff and with Dr Hans Steenackers from Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Heverlee, Belgium.
Lysosomal storage disorders
These are rare genetic metabolic disorders due to defects in lysosomal functions, usually apparent from infancy with some children having serious life-threatening medical problems. Together with Dr Emyr Lloyd-Evans, a sphingolipid-expert biologist at the School of Biosciences of Cardiff University we are working at the development of analogues a natural compound capable to inhibit the glucosylceramide synthase, an enzyme involved in the Gaucher disease. Together with Dr Fabrizio Pertusati and Dr Emyr Lloyd-Evans we are also looking at new versions of the drugs cysteamine and miglustat, which will be more effective and safer medicines for the treatment of two rare and genetic, life-threatening conditions respectively cystinosis and Nieman Pick disease. A Wellcome Trust ISSF3 grant (49k) is currently supporting the research for the cystinosis.
This research is conducted in collaboration with Dr. Lloyd-Evans at the Cardiff School of Bioscience and Dr Fabrizio Pertusati at the Cardiff School of Pharmacy.
Anticancer
In collaboration with NuCana, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company I use the ProTide technology to transform some of the most widely prescribed chemotherapy agents, nucleoside analogs, into more effective and safer medicines. ProTide-type anticancer agents overcome the key resistance mechanisms associated with nucleoside analogues enhancing their effectiveness in the cancer therapies. Other than developing new anticancer drugs we have established a research network with Professor David Harrison at the School of Medicine of St Andrew University and Professor Chris Pepper at Brighton and Sussex Medical School to investigate the biological and biochemical mechanism behind the improved activity of the phosphoroamidate prodrugs.
Biography
I graduated in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1998 from Cagliari State University. After a brief traineeship at Rhone Poulenc Rorer in the Research Centre of Vitry Alfortville in Paris (FR) in 2000 I was awarded a Glaxo Welcome Fellowship to join the research group of Professor Roberto Pellicciari at the University of Perugia (Italy) where I completed my PhD in Medicinal Chemistry in 2005 with a research directed to the neurodegenerative field and in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Lundbeck in Copenhagen (DK). During my PhD I was awarded with a Marie Curie Training Site Fellowship, which gave me the opportunity to spend six months working at the Royal Danish School of Pharmacy in Copenhagen (DK). In 2005 I then joined the medicinal chemistry group of Professor Chris McGuigan at Cardiff University working until January 2008 as post-doctoral on the carbohydrate chemistry of N-acetyl glucosamine analogues for an osteoarthritis drug discovery project sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Bioberica. From January 2008 to January 2011 I have worked at the design of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues for the treatment of viral infections as a post doctoral fellow funded by NIH at the University of Southern California (LA, USA) in the Group of Professor Charles E. McKenna. In 2011 I was back at Cardiff University working as Research Associate first for an antiviral project funded by Inhibitex/BMS (2011-2012) and then as Research Fellow for an oncology programme sponsored by NuCana. In October 2020 I was appointed as lecturer in medicinal chemistry at the School of Chemistry of Cardiff University. My research interest covers different areas of drug discovery such as the development of anticancer and antimicrobial agents, as well as of small molecules for the treatment of rare diseases.