Dipy Vasa
Vernon Hills
Summary
Motivated scientist with over 8 years of experience in Discovery Pharmaceutical Science, specializing in optimizing drug-like properties of small molecules for clinical development. Expertise in biopharmaceutics and formulation development, effectively addressing complex drug product challenges with scientific insights and innovative solutions. Proven ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams and independently manage diverse projects, delivering impactful results.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Scientist, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Drug Product Design
Pfizer Inc.
Lake Forest
04.2021 - Current
- Directed drug product design team through various projects, delivering scientific insights and strategic direction for advancement of small molecule and PROTAC candidates from Discovery to Phase II.
- Spearheaded technical guidance within a cross-functional project team, incorporating biopharmaceutics and formulation insights to inform project strategies
- Established recognition as subject matter expert in early drug developability considerations.
Conceptualized strategies for solid form, formulation, oral absorption, and nitrosamine risk mitigation.
Communicated effective approaches to enhance early-phase drug development outcomes. - Independently executed design, implementation, and management of in vitro laboratory measurements alongside PBPK biomodelling on new development candidates to clarify essential physicochemical properties and behaviors facilitating lead candidate selection and pharmacokinetic data analysis for clinical dosage form options and downstream CMC strategy.
- Employed extensive hands-on experience as project liaison, driving success in multidisciplinary internal matrix environment and collaboration with external CDMOs.
- Evolved departmental workstreams through co-leading local and global initiatives aimed at addressing drug delivery challenges.
Conducted feasibility studies to identify potential research opportunities and evaluate their viability. - Mentored and developed scientific talent within the team, fostering a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive work environment.
- Strengthened external collaboration network across academia and industry.
Elevated scientific presence through publications and conference presentations.
Senior Scientist, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Drug Product Design
Pfizer Inc.
Cambridge
09.2016 - 04.2021
- Guided design of small molecule clinical candidates through computational and experimental property profiling and application of biopharmaceutics insights to better understand and resolve drug product developability risks.
- Accountable for broad range of deliverables across various stages of drug discovery and development - including identification of oral and parenteral non-GLP and GLP formulations for pharmacology and toxicology studies across modalities.
- Executed physicochemical characterization and in vitro studies to enable drug delivery approaches in support of preclinical and IND-enabling studies.
- Expertise in solid form selection for advancement of small molecule pharmaceuticals, and analytical approaches toward physicochemical characterization of clinical candidates (HPLC, PLM, DLS, DSC, TGA, thermodynamic solubility, in vitro biorelevant dissolution / drug release test).
- Collaborated closely with multidisciplinary discovery team matrix (Medicine Design, Biology, DMPK, Drug Safety, Clinical Pharmacology) to provide biopharmaceutics assessment and impact of formulation variables on in vivo performance.
- Expertise in providing technical mentorship to new hires and managing daily activities of insourced employees. Record of adaptable and collaborative scientific leadership with commitment to innovation excellence.
Education
Ph.D. - Pharmaceutics
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA06-2016
B.S. - Pharmacy
Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar
Gujarat, India01.2010
Skills
- FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT
- BIOPHARMACEUTICS
- DRUG PRODUCT TEAM LEADERSHIP
- SOLID ORAL DOSAGE FORM
- ORAL AND PARENTERAL DRUG DELIVERY
- MODIFIED RELEASE
- SMALL MOLECULE, PROTACS and MACROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
- PHARMACOKINETICS, IVIVC
Affiliations
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
- Leadership member of Preformulation and formulation development (PFFDC) community
- Rho Chi – Pharmacy Honor Society
Publications
- Ebner D, et. al. (Vasa, D as contributing co-author). Development of colon-targeted pan-SIK inhibitor PF-07898995 for the treatment of IBD - American Chemical Society. First time Disclosure. August 20, 2025.
- Vasa, D. Melt-Spray-Congeal microspheres as a versatile, oral multiparticulate platform for colon delivery. 2024 Global Drug Bioavailability Enhancement Summit. New Jersey. 26 June 2024.
- Vasa, D. Tuning drug release from mesoporous silica particles: Impact of different grades of HPMCAS. 2021 Controlled and Modified Drug Release Virtual Summit. 24 February 2021.
- Schnute M, et. al. (Vasa, D as contributing co-author). “Discovery of PF-07054894, a Potent Squaramide-based CCR6 Antagonist Displaying High CXCR2 Selectivity” submitted to Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, June 2025.
- Li, R; Vasa, D; Roy, MC; Chang, C. “A novel colon PBPK model to facilitate development of small molecule colon-selective therapies: Impact on compound design, formulation selection and clinical study considerations” submitted to AAPS Journal, June 2025.
- Vasa, D; Wang, SW; Luthra, S; Dunn, M; Long, E. “Molecular-properties based formulation guidance tree for amorphous and supersaturable mesoporous silica preparations of poorly soluble compounds” Journal of Pharmaceutical Science, 2025.
- Gopalsamy A, et. al. (Vasa, D as contributing co-author). “PF-07059013: A Noncovalent Modulator of Hemoglobin for Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease” Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2021.
- Vasa, D; Bakri, Z; Donovan, MD; O’Donnell LA; Wildfong, PLD. Evaluation of Ribavirin–Poloxamer Microparticles for Improved Intranasal Absorption. Pharmaceutics, 2021.
- Vasa, D; Wildfong, PLD. “Solid-state transformations of ribavirin as a result of high-shear mechanical processing” International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2017.
- Vasa, D; Buckner, IS; Wildfong, PLD. “Improved flux of levodopa via direct deposition of solid microparticles on nasal tissue” AAPS Pharm Sci Tech, 2017.
- Vasa, D; O’Donnell LA; Wildfong, PLD. “Influence of Dosage Form, Formulation, and Delivery Device on Olfactory Deposition and Clearance: Enhancement of Nose-to-CNS Uptake” Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation, 2015.
- Vasa, D; Dalal, N; Katz, JM; Roopwani, R; Nevrekar, A; Patel, H; Wildfong, PLD; Buckner, IS. “Physical characterization of drug:polymer miscibility in polyethylene glycol 4000 solid dispersions using a suite of complementary analytical techniques” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014.
Timeline
Principal Scientist, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Drug Product Design
Pfizer Inc.
04.2021 - Current
Senior Scientist, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Drug Product Design
Pfizer Inc.
09.2016 - 04.2021
Ph.D. - Pharmaceutics
Duquesne University
B.S. - Pharmacy
Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar
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