Overview

Gender

female

Nancy Thornberry became a member of the Intarcia Board of Directors in December 2013. She is a highly regarded expert in pharmaceutical R&D, and strategy and portfolio management. Nancy has been involved in scientific innovation in diverse areas, which paved the way for significant breakthroughs.

This took place during her illustrious 34-year career at Merck Research Laboratories, where she began in 1979 as a Biochemist, and steadily assumed positions of increasing responsibility – distinguishing herself along the way with numerous and significant achievements. Those achievements came early as Nancy provided enzymology support to the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor project for the treatment of hypertension, and multiple other targets.

Her accomplishments also include the identification of the first caspase, interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE/caspase-1), and contributions to the discovery of the target of ezetimibe, the active ingredient in ZETIA™. Most notably, she co-led the team that discovered Januvia™ (sitagliptin) in 2001, which is currently the #1 branded oral agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and the largest selling product in Merck history.

In 2011 Nancy became SVP and Franchise Head of Diabetes and Endocrinology for Merck Research Laboratories. Also in 2011 Nancy was honored with the PhRMA Discoverers Award. In addition to her prolific publishing record, Nancy has guest lectured at prestigious venues, as well as chaired many key scientific and medical sessions.