Binodh DeSilva, PhD

Vice President, Lead, Discovery and Optimization, Small Molecule Drug Discovery

Central New Jersey

Biography

Binodh is vice president and lead for Discovery and Optimization as part of Bristol Myers Squibb’s Small Molecule Drug Discovery organization, where she helps the company leverage technological solutions to deliver comprehensive in-vitro data, from concept to drug candidate.

Binodh joined Bristol Myers Squibb in 2010 to lead immunochemistry and biomarker development. In that role, she led the development, validation and implementation of immunoassays, biologicals and other techniques to quantify biopharmaceutical drugs and related compounds in biological samples. Prior to joining Bristol Myers Squibb, she held leadership positions at Amgen, including head of the protein bioanalytical group.

Binodh received her PhD in bioanalytical chemistry from the University of Kansas and completed her undergraduate studies in chemistry at the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Binodh has published and presented extensively in her field, including lead author on “Recommendations for the Bioanalytical Method Validation of Ligand-binding Assays to Support Pharmacokinetic Assessments of Macromolecule,” a paper that helped the FDA incorporate ligand binding assay criteria into its bioanalytical guidance.

Interests and Expertise

The most exciting thing about her role, she says, is the ability to work across the entire portfolio and see the potential of the pipeline as the assets develop, while also developing careers of the scientists she works with. Binodh is a dedicated mentor and coach and is passionate about supporting others. Notably, she served as president of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists from 2015 – 2018 and was designated as a 2018 Luminary by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.

Outside of work, Binodh supports the activities in which her children participate, including scouting. She believes strongly in encouraging her children to be good citizens as well as good students and to make a contribution to the world. She also enjoys hiking and reading good books.