Lex Van der Ploeg

Bio

Lex H.T. Van der Ploeg is CSO for Rhythm pharmaceuticals and functions as a member of the board of Directors for Retrotope Inc., and as an advisor to DeuteRx, LLC. Lex is a member of the SAB for Excellentia Global partners and an Advisor to Inkef Capital. Lex functions as Managing Director for VDP, LLC, an independent consulting agency focused on guiding Research and Development for the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries and private investors. At VDP, LLC, Lex focuses on supporting R&D initiatives from a strategic and tactical perspective, as an integrated member of Management and R&D teams. Lex’s expertise includes development of Diagnostics and Therapeutics including Cancer, Neurodegenerative disorders, Metabolic disorders and Infectious diseases. Prior to starting VDP, LLC Lex was the Sr. Vice President of Integrative Medicine and Translational Science at Abraxis/Celgene. Previously, Dr. Van der Ploeg held the position of, Vice president, Basic Research, and site head at Merck Research Laboratories Boston focused on oncology and neurodegenerative disease. Prior to starting Merck Research Laboratories Boston in December 2003, Dr. Van der Ploeg held diverse functions at Merck Research Laboratories including site head MRL San Diego and Head Obesity research for Merck Rahway and Banyu, Japan. At Merck, Lex held leadership roles in obesity and metabolism, oncology, neurodegenerative disease research and diagnostics. Dr. Van der Ploeg received his M.S. degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Biochemistry in 1980 from the University of Amsterdam and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Enzymology/Genetics in 1984 from the University of Amsterdam/Netherlands Cancer Research Center. Following receipt of his Ph.D. Dr Van der Ploeg joined the faculty of the Dept of Genetics and Development of Columbia University, as an assistant Professor and received tenure at Columbia University in 1987. Dr Van der Ploeg held an adjunct faculty position at the Dept of Genetics and Development of Columbia University from 1992 through 2009. Dr. Van der Ploeg received numerous awards and grants for his research and has broadly published on his research in peer reviewed journals. He is an inventor on over 50 patents and patent applications.