2006 Meek Lecturer: Dr. Duane Burnett
   Research fellow at Schering-Plough

Duane Burnett attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas graduating with honors with a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1981. He obtained his Ph.D. in organic chemistry in 1986 at The Ohio State University under the supervision of Professor David J. Hart. His Ph.D. research involved the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds using free radical synthetic methodology and iminium ion chemistry as well as the stereoselective synthesis of β-lactams important to antibiotic research.

Dr. Burnett continued his academic studies at The University of Utah in collaboration with Professor Gary E. Keck. His postdoctoral research focused primarily on the use of free radical reactions toward the synthesis of prostaglandins. To this end, the use of β-stannylenones as radical traps was developed en route to a formal total synthesis of PGF2α.

After leaving Salt Lake City, Dr. Burnett began his industrial research at the Schering-Plough Research Institute in Kenilworth, New Jersey as a medicinal chemist working in the field of atherosclerosis. There, he discovered a novel class of cholesterol absorption inhibitors which worked via an unknown mechanism of action. This work led to the identification of ezetimibe (Zetia®), the first marketed agent for the inhibition of cholesterol absorption. The unique mechanism of this novel cholesterol lowering agent was highlighted by its complementary LDL lowering action with statins. This complementary activity was key to the market entry of a fixed combination tablet of ezetimibe and simvastatin (Vytorin®) as the first marketed agent to treat both sources of high cholesterol. The fundamental understanding of the biology of cholesterol absorption and metabolism was advanced with the subsequent identification at SPRI of NPC1L1 as the key receptor mediating the intestinal uptake of cholesterol. At Schering-Plough, Dr. Burnett currently holds the title of research fellow and is involved in drug discovery efforts aimed at various GPCRs in the cardiovascular and CNS areas for treating a variety of human disorders including metabolic syndrome and chronic pain.

Thursday, May 4th


• Designing Wonder Drugs - Modern Medicinal Chemistry and Its Application to Obesity Research
• 3:30-4:30 PM
• 1008 Evans Laboratory
• Immediately followed by reception and undergraduate poster session, 1st floor foyer of McPherson Laboratory (4:30-5:30 PM)


The Meek Lecture, Friday, May 5th


• Discovery of Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors: From ACAT to Zetia®
• 2:00-3:00
• 1008 Evans Laboratory