Drug Discovery: From Target Selection to Drug Development

Dr. Williams S. Ettouati, Pharm.D., is the Managing Director of the Master of Science in Drug Development & Product Management program at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). He holds a Doctorât d’État en Pharmacie from Université Descartes, Paris V, and a Master of Arts in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In addition to his role as Managing Director, Dr. Ettouati serves as the Director of the Education Innovation Support Team and is an Associate Clinical Professor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SSPPS). His leadership focuses on fostering an institutional culture of innovation in education.Dr. Ettouati chairs several courses within the Master’s program, including “Opportunities in Pharma, Biotech,” “Marketing Strategy, Product Value, and Life Cycle Management,” and “Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Corporate, and Intellectual Property Strategy.” His extensive background includes two decades in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, where he held various executive positions, including CEO and President at early-stage biotech companies. He has taught graduate courses on drug discovery, development, and commercialization at UCSD's School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine, many of which are also available online through Coursera. Dr. Ettouati’s expertise bridges academic knowledge with practical industry experience, making him a valuable resource for students pursuing careers in drug development and product management.

Dr. Joseph D. Ma, Pharm.D., is an Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his Pharmacy Doctorate from the University of California, San Francisco, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical pharmacology at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, NY. Dr. Ma has a robust background in the pharmaceutical industry, having worked at Amgen from 2004 to 2007 in the Early Development Department. His current research focuses on validating methods for evaluating drug-drug interactions, a critical area in ensuring patient safety and effective medication management.In addition to his research, Dr. Ma practices at the Doris A. Howell Service at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, where he specializes in symptom management and pain control while addressing psychological and social issues faced by patients. His courses include Drug Commercialization, Drug Development, and Drug Discovery, which are designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills for careers in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Through his work, Dr. Ma contributes significantly to both academic education and clinical practice in the field of pharmacy.