Jonathan C.A. Skipper, PhD

Dr. Jonathan Skipper undertook his PhD at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now Cancer Research UK) studying the T cell recognition of oncogenic proteins at the Courtauld Institute (which includes the LICR University College London Branch). Dr. Skipper then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia’s Beirne Carter Center for Immunological Research. This position, funded by an award from the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), was part of a multidisciplinary collaboration that focused on the identification of tumour antigens recognized by human CD8+ T lymphocytes. Dr. Skipper’s research resulted in the identification of several melanoma antigens, one in collaboration with the LICR Brussels Branch with Dr. Thierry Boon. These antigens are currently under investigation in several clinical trials sponsored by the University of Virginia’s Human Immune Therapy Center and are also being investigated within the LICR’s Clinical Trials Program. Dr. Skipper returned to the UK in 1996 to work with Professor Alain Townsend at the Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), University of Oxford. Dr. Skipper’s research interests combined existing interest in the immune recognition of cancer in collaboration with Dr. Vincenzo Cerundolo (now an LICR Affiliate), with investigation into the biosynthesis of MHC Class I antigens and the kinetics of peptide MHC interactions.

In 1997, Dr. Skipper joined the LICR’s Office of Intellectual Property in London as a Technology Transfer Associate with Professor Munro Neville, where he became increasingly responsible for the management of LICR’s tumor antigen patent portfolio and of the associated collaborative and licensing interactions with pharmaceutical/biotechnology partners. In September 2000, Dr. Skipper transferred to LICR’s New York Office to establish a presence for the Institute’s IP Program in the US, and to take over responsibility for the management for the patenting and licensing activities associated with LICR’s Cancer Vaccine and Antibody Targeting Programs. As part of his role in New York, Dr. Skipper coordinates activities between the Offices of Intellectual Property and Clinical Trials Management, as a member of the Clinical Investigation and Protocol Review Committees, and also oversees corporate communications in conjunction with the Office of Communication.

Dr. Skipper continues his research interests with a role in the project management / organization of LICR’s Cancer Vaccine Program and the joint LICR/CRI Cancer Vaccine Collaborative (CVC). He is also a coordinator of the joint LICR/CRI Cancer Antigen Discovery Collaborative (CADC) the ‘pipeline’ program for the CVC, which involves LICR and Affiliate investigators from Australia, Japan, Europe and the US.