Jean-Francois Levesque

Jean-François Lévesque is an accomplished DMPK consultant with over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, specializing in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK). Since 2014, he has been collaborating with biotech companies to advance their efforts in drug discovery, early development, and regulatory submissions. His deep expertise and innovative approach make him a valuable asset for biopharmaceutical companies and CROs.
JF's academic background includes an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Université de Montréal. His graduate research at INRS-Santé, under the supervision of Pr. Christiane Ayotte, focused on the metabolism and urinary excretion of endogenous anabolic steroids and developing analytical strategies to detect potential misuse by athletes. This research laid the foundation for his subsequent career in DMPK, providing him with a thorough understanding of metabolic pathways and analytical techniques.
Beginning his industry career at Merck Frosst Canada in 1999, JF was pivotal in the discovery and profiling of over 20 pre-clinical candidates from over 15 programs, including laropiprant (Tredaptive®). He collaborated extensively on cross-functional teams to address ADME-Tox issues and used human PK, dose and drug-drug interaction (DDI) prediction models to drive programs and deliver on objectives. His work was crucial in defining lead optimization strategies, particularly for programs such as Renin, DP1 antagonist and HIV integrase. JF also contributed to the Merck Global DMPK Scientific Network, harmonizing DMPK guidelines and ADME initiatives across the company.
In 2011, JF joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals as a Research Fellow, where he made significant contributions until 2014. At Vertex, he played a pivotal role in developing and implementing ADME strategies essential to the discovery of sibofimloc, a gut-restricted FimH antagonist for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). JF's responsibilities included identifying key ADME issues, shaping strategies, designing assays, interpreting results and providing expertise in human PK, dose, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) predictions. JF also led efforts to characterize drug absorption and distribution within the gastrointestinal tract, validating PBPK simulators (SimCYP, Gastro+) to support PKPD for IBD. His leadership was recognized with a Vertex Platinum VOCAP award and several other awards. Additionally, JF managed and mentored a team of DMPK scientists, served as the DMPK scientific advisor to the Vertex-Laval site, and was a Vertex Global subject matter expert on human PK and dose projection.
Since transitioning to an independent consultant role in 2014, JF has leveraged his extensive experience to assist biotech companies with drug discovery, early development, and regulatory submissions. His consulting work includes ADME assay design, data interpretation, optimizing compound properties to address absorption, distribution, and elimination issues, and mitigating DDI challenges. He also specializes in using preclinical results to establish PK/PD and PK-efficacy relationships, predict human PK, dose and DDI, and guide regulatory submissions from a DMPK perspective. His contributions to the field are reflected in 34 peer-reviewed publications, a book chapter, and a patent application. Since 2008, JF has been an invited lecturer on DMPK and drug discovery at Queen’s University and Université de Montréal.
As a scientist, JF strongly values collaboration, integrity, and innovation. His extensive experience and commitment to the pharmaceutical industry continue to drive his success as a consultant, helping biopharmaceutical companies navigate the complexities of drug discovery and development to achieve their objectives.
JF's academic background includes an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Université de Montréal. His graduate research at INRS-Santé, under the supervision of Pr. Christiane Ayotte, focused on the metabolism and urinary excretion of endogenous anabolic steroids and developing analytical strategies to detect potential misuse by athletes. This research laid the foundation for his subsequent career in DMPK, providing him with a thorough understanding of metabolic pathways and analytical techniques.
Beginning his industry career at Merck Frosst Canada in 1999, JF was pivotal in the discovery and profiling of over 20 pre-clinical candidates from over 15 programs, including laropiprant (Tredaptive®). He collaborated extensively on cross-functional teams to address ADME-Tox issues and used human PK, dose and drug-drug interaction (DDI) prediction models to drive programs and deliver on objectives. His work was crucial in defining lead optimization strategies, particularly for programs such as Renin, DP1 antagonist and HIV integrase. JF also contributed to the Merck Global DMPK Scientific Network, harmonizing DMPK guidelines and ADME initiatives across the company.
In 2011, JF joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals as a Research Fellow, where he made significant contributions until 2014. At Vertex, he played a pivotal role in developing and implementing ADME strategies essential to the discovery of sibofimloc, a gut-restricted FimH antagonist for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). JF's responsibilities included identifying key ADME issues, shaping strategies, designing assays, interpreting results and providing expertise in human PK, dose, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) predictions. JF also led efforts to characterize drug absorption and distribution within the gastrointestinal tract, validating PBPK simulators (SimCYP, Gastro+) to support PKPD for IBD. His leadership was recognized with a Vertex Platinum VOCAP award and several other awards. Additionally, JF managed and mentored a team of DMPK scientists, served as the DMPK scientific advisor to the Vertex-Laval site, and was a Vertex Global subject matter expert on human PK and dose projection.
Since transitioning to an independent consultant role in 2014, JF has leveraged his extensive experience to assist biotech companies with drug discovery, early development, and regulatory submissions. His consulting work includes ADME assay design, data interpretation, optimizing compound properties to address absorption, distribution, and elimination issues, and mitigating DDI challenges. He also specializes in using preclinical results to establish PK/PD and PK-efficacy relationships, predict human PK, dose and DDI, and guide regulatory submissions from a DMPK perspective. His contributions to the field are reflected in 34 peer-reviewed publications, a book chapter, and a patent application. Since 2008, JF has been an invited lecturer on DMPK and drug discovery at Queen’s University and Université de Montréal.
As a scientist, JF strongly values collaboration, integrity, and innovation. His extensive experience and commitment to the pharmaceutical industry continue to drive his success as a consultant, helping biopharmaceutical companies navigate the complexities of drug discovery and development to achieve their objectives.