Joseph P. Balthasar PhD

Joseph Balthasar

Joseph P. Balthasar
PhD

David and Jane Chu Endowed Chair in Drug Discovery and Development, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Director of the Center for Protein Therapeutics, Executive Director of University Research Initiatives

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

School of Pharmacy


Specialty/Research Focus

Antibody-Drug Conjugates; Autoimmunity; Drug Targeting; Immunopharmacology; Mathematical Modeling; Monoclonal Antibodies; Pharmacodynamics; Pharmacokinetics; PK/PD; Preclinical Research

Contact Information
452 Pharmacy Building
Buffalo, NY 14214-8033
Phone: (716) 645-4807
jb@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Research focuses on the utilization of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses and mathematical modeling to guide the discovery and development of new immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmunity.

Research Interests and Projects:

Research Interests and Current Projects:
1. Development of antibody conjugates for targeted, intra-cellular delivery of macromolecular toxins (CA204192)

2. Pharmacokinetic Strategies to Increase Monoclonal Antibody Uptake, Distribution, and Efficacy for Treatment of Solid Tumors (CA246785)

3. Inverse targeting strategies to decrease the off-site toxicity of antibody drug conjugate therapies for cancer (CA256928, CA261343)

4. Engineering monoclonal antibodies for improved pharmacokinetic properties

5. Investigation of sources of inter-individual variability in monoclonal antibody pharmacokinetics

6. Development of improved mathematical models for predicting the disposition and effects of monoclonal antibody drugs

7. Investigation of the role of FcRn in the absorption, distribution, and elimination of IgG antibodies

8. Development of antibody-based therapies to treat and prevent infection. Efforts are currently focused on prevention of infection by Treponema denticola (DE023080), S. aureus, and A. baumannii

9. Optimization of bispecific T-cell engagers, with primary focus on the application of PKPD modeling to guide discovery and development

Education and Training:

  • PhD, State University of New York at Buffalo (1996)
  • BS, State University of New York at Buffalo (1991)

Employment:

  • Executive Director, Research Initiatives, University at Buffalo, Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (2019-present)
  • Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2008-present)
  • Associate Dean for Research, SPPS, University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharamceutical Sciences (2011–2019)
  • Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2003–2008)
  • Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (1999–2003)
  • Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Utah, College of Pharmacy (1997–1999)
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutics, University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy (1996–1997)

Awards and Honors:

  • BIOMED Lecturer (2012)
  • Elected AAPS Fellow (2010)
  • UNC / Eisai Distinguished Lecturer in Drug Delivery (2010)
  • Outstanding Manuscript in Modeling and Simulation (2009)
  • University at Buffalo, Top 100 Federal Grantee, 2005 (2005)
  • University at Buffalo, Young Investigator Achievement Award (2002)
  • University at Buffalo, Top 100 Federal Grantee (2002)
  • AAPS PPDM Annual Meeting Travel Award (2001)
  • AACP New Investigator Award (1999)
  • AACP New Investigator Award (1998)
  • University of Utah, College of Pharmacy Distinguished Teaching Award (1998)
  • AACP New Investigator Award (1997)
  • AAPS / Eli Lilly Graduate Symposium Award (1995)
  • AFPE Pre-doctoral Fellowship
  • New York State Regents Scholarship
  • Western New York Science Congress, Bronze Medal
  • Rho-Chi Honor Society
  • Schering-Plough Pre-doctoral Fellowship
  • SUNY at Buffalo Department of Pharmaceutics Graduate Scholar Award
  • SUNY at Buffalo School of Pharmacy Scholarship

Research Expertise:

  • Monoclonal Antibodies: Experienced in the development, production, purification, and PKPD characterization of monoclonal antibody drugs.
  • Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: The utilization of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses and mathematical modeling to develop and evaluate rational approaches of optimizing drug therapy.

Research Centers:

  • Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:

  • Molecular Recognition in Biological Systems and Bioinformatics

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • June 2020–May 2025
    Pharmacokinetic Strategies to Increase Monoclonal Antibody Uptake, Distribution, and Efficacy for Treatment of Solid Tumors
    NCI
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,814,481
  • September 2018–August 2023
    The role of oral spirochete virulence factors in the impairment of neutrophil response
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,894,065
  • December 2016–November 2021
    Catch and Release Immunotoxins: CAR-Bombs for cancer
    NIH, National Cancer Institute
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,827,130
  • September 2019–August 2020
    Evaluation of mAb conjugate strategies for targeted delivery of anti-cancer siRNA
    Center for Protein Therapeutics
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • September 2019–August 2020
    Evaluation of the effects of cell penetrating peptides and endosomal escape peptides on the pharmacokinetics of anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies
    Center for Protein Therapeutics
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • September 2019–August 2020
    Evaluation of the therapeutic selectivity of anti-CEA SN38 antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) and antibody drug fragment complexes (FDC)
    Center for Protein Therapeutics
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • September 2017–August 2018
    Investigation of differences in the disposition of 8C2 mAb and scFv in select brain regions of control mice and in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
    Center for Protein Therapeutics
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • September 2017–August 2018
    Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for the prediction of monoclonal antibody tumor disposition
    Center for Protein Therapeutics
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • September 2017–August 2018
    Physiologically-Based Modeling for T-cell Engaging Bispecific Antibodies
    Center for Protein Therapeutics
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $100,000
  • June 2014–May 2016
    Investigation of the utility of LC/MS for characterization of the plasma and tissue PK of a novel series of antiCEA monocolonal antibodies.
    Hoffmann-La Roche Inc
    Role: Principal Investigator

Patents:

  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Provisional (2008)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: PCT (2007)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: Japan (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: Canada (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: Japan (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: Continuation-in-Part (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: Europe (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: Europe (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: Canada (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Provisional (2006)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Other Other Type: PCT (2004)
  • ANTI-FcRn ANTIBODIES FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO/ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Regular (2004)
  • ANTI-FcRn THERAPY FOR TREATMENT OF AUTO-ALLO IMMUNE CONDITIONS Docket Number: 5832 Type: Provisional (2003)
  • ANTI-CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT ANTIBODIES AND THEIR USE Docket Number: 5721 Type: Provisional (2001)
  • ANTI-CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC AGENT ANTIBODIES AND THEIR USE Docket Number: 5720 Type: Provisional (2001)

Journal Articles:

See all (69 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Deng R; Balthasar JP. Immune Complex Therapies for Treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenia. Developmentof Antibody-Based Therapeutics. 2012.
  • Shin BS; Shah D; Balthasar JP. Pharmacodynamics. Preclinical Development Handbook: ADME and Biopharmaceutical Properties. 2008.
  • Chen J; Balthasar JP. Development and characterization of high-affinity anti-topotecan IgG and fab fragments. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Technology. 2007.

Evaluative Studies and Case Reports:


Professional Memberships:

  • American Association of Phamaceutical Scientists
  • American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
  • American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
  • American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science; American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • American Society of Hematology; American Society of Hematology

Presentations:

  • "Application of mechanistic modeling to support the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies" University of Pittsburgh (2017)
  • "Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Antibodies (lecture series)" Roche, Basel SWITZERLAND (2017)
  • "Monoclonal Antibody Pharmacokinetics" Merck, Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania (2017)
  • "Nanoparticles: Disruptive Technologies" Pfizer, Boston, Massachusetts (2017)
  • "Antibody Pharmacokinetics (lecture series)" Boehringer Ingelheim, Biberach, GERMANY (2017)
  • "Mechanistic Modeling and Avidity Effects" Sanofi, Bridgewater, New Jersey (2017)
  • "Protein Pharmacokinetics (lecture series)" Genentech, San Francisco, California (2017)
  • "Antibody Pharmacokinetics Lecture Series" University at Buffalo, Niagara Falls, New York (2017)
  • "Tissue distribution and PBPK modeling" AAPS National Biotechnology Conference, San Diego, California (2017)
  • "Monoclonal Antibody Pharmacokinetics (lecture series)" Amgen, San Francisco, California (2017)
  • "Use of pH-dependent, “Catch-and-Release” antibodies for enhanced biological persistence and increased tumor exposure" University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2017)
See all (1 more)

Service Activities:

  • Research Committee; Chair (2014–present)
  • Conflict of Interest Committee; Member (2013–present)
  • Radiation Safety Committee; Chair (2013–present)
  • Associate Dean for Research (2011–present)
  • Executive Committee; Member (2011–present)
  • Student Academic Affairs Committee; Member (2011–present)
  • Recovery Act Limited Competition Grant Review Commitee; Member (2009)
  • Center for Protein Therapeutics; Director (2008–present)
  • Director of Graduate Studies; Other (2006)
  • Facutly Search Committee; Other (2005)
  • Radiation Safety Committee; Other (2004)
  • Faculty search Commitee; Other (2003)
  • Curiculum Committee; Member (2000)
  • Graduate Affairs Committee; Member (2000)
  • Radiation Safety Committee; Member (2000)
  • AAPS Biotech Section Planning Committee 2005 National Biotechnology Conference; AAPS; Other
  • AAPS Biotech Section Planning Committee 2006 National Biotechnology Conference; AAPS; Other
  • AAPS National Biotechnology Conference Planning Commitee; AAPS; Other
  • Expert Panel on Complex Activities; United States Pharmacopoeia; Other
  • Interdisciplinary Research Development Fund (IRDF) Review Committee; Member
  • National Institues of Health; NIH; Other
  • Paul Dawson Biotechnology Award Selection Committee; American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy; Other

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Contact Information

452 Pharmacy Building
Buffalo, NY 14214-8033
Phone: (716) 645-4807
jb@buffalo.edu