Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
August 1989 – May 1993 B.Sc. (Biochemistry)

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Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 

August 1994 – May, 1996 M.Sc. (Synthetic Organic Chemistry)Research Advisor: Professor Mohammad Karim Synthesis and Ene- Reaction of Model Compounds Containing An Activated Ene Donor

Exelixis, Inc., Drug Discovery (Oncology), Radnor, PA May 2023- Present

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Research and Development (Cardiovascular Disease Chemistry), Lawrenceville, NJ 2005 - 2023

• Senior Principal Scientist – Medicinal Chemistry (2022 ) Senior Research Scientist II (2019 – 2021)

• Senior Research Scientist I (2008 – 2019)

• Research Scientist II (2005 – 2008)

ImClone Systems, Inc., Research and Development (Small Molecule Drug Discovery), New York, NY 2001-2005

• Scientist III – Medicinal Chemistry (2004 – 2005) Scientist II (2002 – 2004)

• Scientist I (2001 – 2002)

Amgen, Inc., Research and Development (Small Molecule Drug Discovery), Thousand Oaks, CA 1996-2001

• Associate Scientist I – Medicinal Chemistry (2000 – 2001)

• Research Associate II (1996 – 1998)

• Research Associate III (1998 – 2000)

Recently, Leon joined the exceptional drug discovery team at Exelixis as part of its Medicinal Chemistry East leadership team as Senior Principal Scientist (Group Leader).
During his career journey, he has contributed to the discovery of multiple small molecules that progressed into human Phase I-III clinical studies in cardiovascular disease and oncology including:

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• Milvexian, (BMS-986177/JNJ70033093)

  •  A high affinity, orally bioavailable inhibitor of Factor Xia in clinical studies for antithrombotic therapy (Phase II, complete).

• BMS-962212

  • A parenteral small molecule anti-thrombotic (FXIa inhibitor) (highest level of development: Phase I)

•  BMS-968209 - An oral FXIa back-up compound (highest level of development: Phase I)

• AMG-706

  • A selective inhibitor of VEGF/KDR that was evaluated for treatment of imatinib resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (highest level of development: Phase III, discontinued)