Research Interests
Clinical pharmacology and developing innovative approaches to advance promising drug candidates from discovery through early drug development
In addition to his faculty appointment in the department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. Weir is the Director of the Office of Therapeutics, Discovery and Development (OTDD) for the University of Kansas Cancer Center, and holds a courtesy faculty appointment within Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, located on the Lawrence campus. Dr Weir is also the Frank B. Tyler Cancer Research Professor in Therapeutic Discovery.
Dr. Weir’s role in the University is to identify, organize and implement drug discovery and early drug development research projects. The strategy of the OTDD is to 1) take full advantage of capabilities existing within KU and SIMR to identify cancer targets resulting from basic cancer research; 2) take full advantage of the medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry expertise residing within KU to synthesize and identify potential drugs which attack the targets; 3) leverage internal (KU and KUMC) and external (CRO’s) expertise to optimize chemical hits, chemical leads, leading to the selection of candidates for regulated, early drug development; 4) once development candidates are identified, outsource regulated (GLP and GMP) activities required for human administration (clinical proof of concept); 5) seek to develop or add value for KU and SIMR owned drug development projects leading to eventual commercialization.
Dr. Weir has over 20 years of professional experience in the field of drug discovery and development. He joined Marion Laboratories, Inc. in 1986 as a clinical pharmacokineticist. From the period of 1988 through 1998, Professor Weir assumed a series of management positions with increasing responsibility at Marion Laboratories, Inc, Marion Merrell Dow, Inc, Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc and Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Over this same period, Weir was directly involved in the successful registration of several drug products such as Cardizem CD, Cardizem Injectable, Anzemet Tablets, Anzemet Injectable, Pentasa, Carafate, Rifater, and Allegra. Professor Weir was actively involved in R&D reengineering efforts for these companies in 1992 and 1997. As well, Dr. Weir led the global integration and harmonization activities for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics during the Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc. merger. Following sale of the North America drug development center of Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc located in Kansas City, MO to Quintiles, Inc in January, 1999, Professor Weir managed an early drug development division which included pharmacology, toxicology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, bioanalytical, and clinical pharmacology services. Dr. Weir continued these responsibilities until his departure early this year to join the University of Kansas. Professor Weir has developed drug products across a wide range of therapeutic areas.
Selected Publications
Dimmitt, DC, Choo YS, Martin, LA, Arumugham T, Hahne WF, and Weir SJ: Single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of oral dolasetron and its active metabolites in healthy volunteers: Part 2. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1999;20(1):41-48.
Dimmitt, DC, Choo YS, Martin, LA, Arumugham T, Hahne WF, and Weir SJ: Intravenous pharmacokinetics and absolute oral bioavailability of dolasetron in healthy volunteers: Part 1. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1999;20(1):29-39.
Dimmitt DC, Shah AK, Arumugham T, Cramer MB, Halstenson C, Horton M, and Weir SJ: Pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous dolasetron mesylate in patients with renal impairment. J Clin Pharmacol 1998;38(9):798-806.
Russell T, Stoltz M, and Weir SJ: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerance of single- and multiple-dose fexofenadine hydrochloride in healthy male volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998;64:612-621.
Robbins DK, Castles MA, Pack DJ, Bhargava VJ, and Weir SJ: Dose proportionality and comparison of single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine (MDL 16455) and its enantiomers in healthy male volunteers. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1998;19(7):455-463.
Weir SJ, Dimmitt DC, Lanman RC, Morrill BS, and Giesing, DH: Steady-state pharmacokinetics of diltiazem and hydrochlorothiazide administered alone and in combination. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1998;19(6):365-371.
Yu DK, Bhargava VO, and Weir SJ: Selection of doses for Phase II clinical trials based on pharmacokinetic variability considerations. J Clin Pharmacol 1997;37(8):673-678.
Stoltz M, Arumugham T, Lippert C, Yu D, Bhargava V, Eller, M and Weir SJ: Effect of food on the bioavailability of fexofenadine hydrochloride (MDL 16455A). Biopharm Drug Dispos 1997;18(7):645-648.
Robbins DK, Hutcheson SJ, Miller TD, Green VI, Bhargava VO, and Weir SJ: Pharmacokinetics of MDL 26479, a novel benzodiazepine inverse agonist, in normal volunteers. Biopharm Drug Dispos 1997;18(4):325-334.
Shah A, Lanman R, Bhargava VO, Weir SJ, and Hahne W: Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of reduced metabolite (MDL 74156) following oral administration of dolasetron mesylate to normal male subjects. Am J Therapeutics 1996;3(5):364-370.
Contact Information
Scott J. Weir
Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics
Director, Office of Therapeutics, Discovery and Development
Frank B. Tyler Cancer Research Professor in Therapeutic Discovery.
The University of Kansas Medical Center
4030 Robinson Bldg., MS 1027
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160
Phone: (913) 588-4798
Fax: (913) 588-4701
The University of Kansas
Multidisciplinary Research Building
2030 Becker Drive, Room 257
Lawrence, KS 66047
Phone: (785) 864-1945
Fax: (785) 864-1916
E-mail: sweir@kumc.edu
Updated 9/8/06
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The University of Kansas Medical Center