ZHIJIAN LU, PhD, PMP
5349 Buttercup Lane
Indianapolis, IN 46224
zhijianhlu@yahoo.com
Cell: 908-310-5579
SUMMARY
Senior Level Leader/Scientist with extensive experience overseeing the research activities in various fields of
drug discovery including Lead Optimization (LO) and Lead Identification (LID) in disease areas like
cardiovascular, diabetic, infectious and CNS; Trained and supervised research scientists; Familiar with
techniques involving in drug discovery including instrumentation and computer modeling. A certified Project
Management Professional (PMP). Six Sigma Training.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Organic Chemistry, Rutgers University
Master of Organic Chemistry, Kent State University
Bachelor of Science, Textile Science, Renmin University of China
1999
1990
1983
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SUNNYLIFE PHARMA INC., Indianapolis, IN
CEO
2012
MERCK & CO., Rahway, NJ
1993-2011
Served as the key contributor in the team to assist the team leader to achieve the objectives associated with the
specific projects; mentoring and supervising associated scientists to perform their jobs at their optimal levels.
Senior Research Fellow, Medicinal Chemistry
(2008 – 2011)
Research Fellow, Medicinal Chemistry
(2003 – 2008)
Senior Research Chemist, Medicinal Chemistry
(1999 – 2003)
Research Chemist, Medicinal Chemistry
(1995 – 1999)
Staff Chemist, Medicinal Chemistry
(1993 – 1995)
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT MERCK
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CETP project, key innovator to the discovery of Phase III clinical candidate, anacetrapib (MK-0859) and
preclinical candidate MK-3422.
Used Six Sigma methodology to design and improve the performance of the automatic synthesis and
purification group in Rahway that led to Merck’s new ASAP group. The high throughput purification
group (HTP) has performed at 6 σ level since inception in 2008.
Successfully carried out discovery projects like CETP, HIV Protease Inhibitor, Glycogen Phosphorylase
Inhibitor and Growth Hormone Secretagogues.
Trained 4 associate chemists and 4 summer interns over the years to perform at the top tier of their
respective groups.
AFFILIATION
American Chemical Society, 1987-present
SUPPLEMENTAL TRAINING
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Organic Catalysis, Merck , 2011
Professional Project Management, PMP, 2008
Six Sigma Green Belt training, Merck , 2007
LEAP leadership training, Merck , 2007
Organometallic Chemistry, Merck, 2003
Medicinal Chemistry, Merck, 1996
Drug Metabolism, Merck, 1993
Drug Design, University of Maryland, 1991
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL HONORS
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Excellence Awards, Medicinal Chemistry, Merck Research Labs, 2002,1995 and 1993
Remin University of China, Best Student Award, 1982, 1981 and 1980
ZHIJIAN LU, PhD, PMP
Page Two
zhijianhlu@yahoo.com
Cell: 908-310-5579
PROFESSIONAL ADDENDUM
Publications
1. Z. Lu, Y. Chen, J. B. Napolitano, G. Taylor, A. Ali, M. L. Hammond, Q. Deng, E. Tan, X. Tong, S. S. Xu,
M. J. Latham, L. B. Peterson, M. S. Anderson, S. S. Eveland, Q. Guo, S. A. Hyland, D. P. Milot, Y. Chen,
C. P. Sparrow, S. D. Wright, P. J. Sinclair; “SAR Studies on the Central Phenyl Ring of
Substituted Biphenyl Oxazolidinone-Potent CETP Inhibitors”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Letters, 2012, 22, 199-203.
2. C. J. Smith, A. Ali, M. L. Hammond, H. Li, Z. Lu, J. Napolitano, G. E. Taylor, C. F. Thompson, M. S.
Anderson, Y. Chen, S. S. Eveland, Q. Guo, S. A. Hyland, D. P. Milot, C. P. Sparrow, S. D. Wright, A.
Cumiskey, M. Latham, L. B. Peterson, R. Rosa, J. V. Pivnichny, X. Tong, S. S. Xu, and P. J. Sinclair
“Biphenyl-substituted oxazolidinones as cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors: Modifications of the
oxazolidinone ring leading to the discovery of anacetrapib” J Med Chem 54(13): 4880-4895 2011
3. Z. Lu, J. Napolitano, A. Theberge, M. Hammond, E. Tan, X. Tong, S. Xu, M. Latham, L. B. Peterson, M.
S. Anderson, S. S. Eveland, Q. Guo, S. A. Hyland, D. P. Milot, Y. Chen, C. P. Sparrow, S. D. Wright , P.
J. Sinclair, “Design of a Novel Biphenyl Class of CETP Inhibitors”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
Letters, 2010, 20, 7469.
4. J. Hunt and Z. Lu, a review on” Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) Inhibitors”, Current Topics in
Med. Chem., 2009, 9, 419-427.
5. Z. Lu, a review on “Second generation of HIV protease inhibitors against resistant virus”, Expert Opinion
on Drug Discovery, 2008, 3(7): 775-786.
6. Z. Lu, J.R. Tata,T.M. Jacks, K.D. Schleim, K. Cheng, L. Wei, W.W. Chan, B. Butler, N. Tsou, K. Leung,
S.H. Chiu, G. Hickey, R. G. Smith, and A.A Patchett; “ Highly Potent and Orally Active Growth Hormone
Secretagogues”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2007, 17, 3657.
7. Z. Lu, J. Bohn, M. W. Stahlhut, C. A. Rutkowski, A. L. Himmelberger, D. B. Olsen, W. A. Schleif, A.
Carella, L. Gabryelski, L. Jin, J. H. Lin, J. R. Tata, K. Chapman; “Orally Active Highly Potent HIV
Protease Inhibitors with Activity against Resistant Virus”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters ,
2005,15,5311.
8. Q. Deng, Z. Lu, J. Bohn, K. P. Ellsworth, R. W. Myers, W. M. Geissler, G. Harris, B. McKeever, K.
Chapman, C. A. Willoughby, R. Mosley; “Modeling aided design of potent glycogen phosphorylase
inhibitors”, J. of Molecular Graphics and Modeling, 2005, 23, 457.
9. Z. Lu, J. Bohn, K. P. Ellsworth, R. W. Myers, W. M. Geissler, R. Bergeron, J. Yao, G. Harris, R.
Saperstein, P. E. McCann, Q. Deng, B. McKeever, D. E. Moller, K. Chapman, C. A. Willoughby; “A New
Class of Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibitors”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2003, 13, 4125.
10. Z. Lu, S. Raghavan, J. Bohn, M. Charest, M. W. Stahlhut, C. A. Rutkowski, A. L. Himmelberger, D. B.
Olsen, W. A. Schleif, A. Carella, L. Gabryelski, L. Jin, J. H. Lin, J. R. Tata, K. Chapman; “Design and
Synthesis of Highly Potent HIV Protease Inhibitors with Activity against Resistant Virus”, Bioorganic &
Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2003, 13,1821.
11. Z. Lu, J.R. Tata,T.M. Jacks, K.D. Schleim, K. Cheng, L. Wei, W.W. Chan, B. Butler, N. Tsou, K. Leung,
S.H. Chiu, G. Hickey, R. G. Smith, and A.A Patchett; “Substituted Bridged Phenyl Piperidines: Orally
Active Growth Hormone Secretagogues”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2003, 13, 1817.
12. Y. Cheng, F. Zhang, T. A. Rano, Z. Lu, W. A. Schleif, L. Gabryelski, D. B. Olsen, M. Stahlhut, C. A.
Rutkowski, J. H. Lin, L. Jin, E. A. Emilio, K. T. Chapman and J. R. Tata; “ Indinavir Analogues with
Blocked Metabolism Sites as HIV Protease Inhibitors with Improved Pharmacological Profiles and High
Potency Against PI-Resistant Viral Strains”, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2002, 12, 2419.
ZHIJIAN LU, PhD, PMP
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zhijianhlu@yahoo.com
Cell: 908-310-5579
Publications, (Continued)
13. S. Knapp, Z. Lu, M. Madduru, G. Morriello, T. Emge, and G. A. Doss; “Synthesis of Griseolic Acid B by
Stereoselective Radical Cyclization”, Org Lett., 2001, 3,22, 3583.
14. Y. Cheng, Z. Lu, K. Chapman and J. R. Tata; “Solid Phase Synthesis of Indinavir and its Analogs”, J.
Comb. Chem., 2000, 2, 445.
15. J.R. Tata, Z. Lu, T.M. Jacks, K.D. Schleim, K. Cheng, L. Wei, W.W. Chan, B. Butler, N. Tsou, K.
Leung, S.H. Chiu, G. Hickey, R. G. Smith, and A.A Patchett; “The Design and Synthesis of Orally
Active Short Duration Spiroindane Growth Hormone Secretagogues”, Bioorganic & Medicinal
Chemistry Letters, 1997, 17, 2319.
16. B.J. Mavunkel, Z. Lu, R.R. Goehring, S. Lu, S. Chakraverty, J. Perumattam, E. A. Novotny, M.
Connolly, H. Valentine and D.J. Kyle; “Synthesis and Characterization of Pseudopeptide Bradykinin B2
Receptor Antagonists Containing the 1,3,8-Triazaspiro[4.5]decan-4-one Ring System”, J. Med. Chem.,
1996, 39, 3169.
17. B.J. Mavunkel, Z. Lu and D.J. Kyle; “Asymmetric Synthesis of (R)- and (S)- Enantiomers of Novel
Phenylalanine Homologues”, Tetrahedron Lett., 1993, 34, No.14, 2255-2258.
18. R.H. Ericson, K.J. Natalie, Jr., W. Bock, Z. Lu, F. Farzin, R.G. Sherrill, D.J. Meloni, R.J. Patch, W.J.
Rzesotarski, J. Clifton, M.J. Pontecorvo, M.A. Bailey, K. Naper, and W. Karbon; “Aminoalkoxy
Chromones. Selective  Receptor Ligands”, J. Med.Chem., 1992, 35, No. 9, 1526-1535.
19. Z. Lu; “The Identification of Vat and Reactive Dyes on Cellulosic Textile Fabrics by Thin-Layer
Chromatography”, Dying and Coloring, 1987, 2.
20. Z. Lu; R. Jiang; “Evaluation of Food Sense Quality by Model -- Fuzzy Sets”, Food Science, 1986, 3, 1.
ABSTRACTS
1. Z. Lu, Y. Chen, J. B. Napolitano, G. Taylor, A. Ali, M. L. Hammond, Q. Deng, E. Tan, X. Tong, S. S. Xu,
M. J. Latham, L. B. Peterson, M. S. Anderson, S. S. Eveland, Q. Guo, S. A. Hyland, D. P. Milot, Y. Chen,
C. P. Sparrow, S. D. Wright, P. J. Sinclair; 211 - SAR studies on the substituted central phenyl ring of the
biphenyl scaffold as potent CETP inhibitors. 241th National Meeting of American Chemical Society,
Anaheim, CA, Mar. 27-31, 2011, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, No.211.
2 . Z. Lu, K. Chang, L.Wei, W.W.-S. Chan, B. Butler, K. D. Schleim, T. M. Jacks, G. Hickey, J. R. Tata and
A. A. Patchett; " Substituted Bridged Phenyl Piperidines: Orally Active Growth Hormone Secretagogues",
224th ACS National Meeting, 2002, Boston
3. S. Knapp, Z. Lu, M. Madduru, G. J. Morriello, G. A. Doss; Synthesis of Grieolic Acid B. 222th National
Meeting of American Chemical Society, Chicago, IL, Aug. 26-30, 2001, ORGN 177.
4. R. Nargund, Z. Ye, J. Tata, Z. Lu, K. Barakat, Q. Hong, R. Bakshi, Y. Gao, C. Tamvakopoulos, L.
Colwell, S. Feighner, D. Hreniuk, S. Pong, K. Cheng, K. Schleim, T. Jacks, A. Strack, G. Hickey, A.
Howard, L. Van der Ploeg, A. Bailey, R. Smith, A.A. Patchett; L-166,446, a second-generation growth
hormone secretagogue. 222th National Meeting of American Chemical Society, Chicago, IL, Aug. 26-30,
2001, MEDI 184.
5. B.J. Mavunkel, S. Chakravarty, J. Perrumattam, S.Lu, Z.Lu, Y.W.Liu, R. Andy and D.Kyle; “Synthesis
and Biological Evaluation of New Pseudopeptide Bradykinin B2 Receptor Antagonists”, 208th ACS
National Meeting, Division of Medicinal Chemistry, No.190, 1994.
ZHIJIAN LU, PhD, PMP
Page Four
zhijianhlu@yahoo.com
Cell: 908-310-5579
Abstracts, (Continued)
6. V. Balasubramanian, R.H. Ericson, Z. Lu; “Synthesis of Tritium-Labeled Aminoalkoxychromones, NPC
16377 and NPC 13839 as Probes of Sigma Receptors”, 202nd ACS National Meeting, Division of
Medicinal Chemistry, No. 150, 1991.
7. P. Sampson, Z. Lu, G. Krishnan, S. Kantemneni; “Preparation of -Fluorinated Michael Acceptors of
Potential Biological Interest via Fluoro-Pummerer Rearrangement”, 200th ACS National Meeting,
Division of Fluorine Chemistry, No. 43, 1990.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Z. Lu, J. Napolitano, A. Theberge, M. Hammond, E. Tan, X. Tong, S. Xu, M. Latham, L. B. Peterson, M.
S. Anderson, S. S. Eveland, Q. Guo, S. A. Hyland, D. P. Milot, Y. Chen, C. P. Sparrow, S. D. Wright , P.
J. Sinclair, "Design of a Novel Biphenyl Class of CETP Inhibitors" 235th ACS National Meeting, 2008,
April 4-10, New Orleans.
2. Z. Lu, J. Tata, F. Zhang, T. Rano, T. Huening, Y. Cheng, J. Duffy, S. Raghavan, B. Kirk, N. Kevin, J.
Bohn, M. Yang, K. Chapman, W. Schleif, D. Olsen, J. Condra, L. Lin, M. Chiba, I-W. Chen, J. Lin, and E.
Emini; “ Second Generation Protease Inhibitors against Resistant HIV-1 Viral Variants". BIT's 5th
Anniversary Congress of International Drug Discovery Science & Technology, 2007, May 28-June 5,
2007, Shanghai, China.
3. Z. Lu, Presented the work on MK-3422 at The 5th Merck Chemistry Council Medicinal Chemistry
Conference, June 2006, La Sapiniere Resort, Val David, Quebec, Canada.
4. Z. Lu, J. Tata, F. Zhang, T. Rano, T. Huening, Y. Cheng, J. Duffy, S. Raghavan, B. Kirk, N.Kevin, J.
Bohn, M. Yang, K. Chapman, W. Schleif, D. Olsen, J. Condra, L. Lin, M. Chiba, I-W. Chen, J. Lin, and
E. Emini; “ Second Generation Protease Inhibitors against Resistant HIV-1 Viral Variants--- Strategy,
Target Selection and Execution” 2005 Shanghai International Biotech & Pharmaceutical Forum, 2005,
April 26-28, Shanghai, China.
5. Z. Lu, S. Raghavan, J. Bohn, M. Charest, M. W. Stahlhut, C. A. Rutkowski, A. L. Himmelberger, D. B.
Olsen, W. A. Schleif, A. Carella, L. Gabryelski, L. Jin, J. H. Lin, J. R. Tata, K. Chapman; “Design and
Synthesis of Highly Potent HIV Protease Inhibitors with Activity against Resistant Virus” 224th ACS
National Meeting, 2002, Boston .
6. Z.Lu and S. Knapp, "Studies toward total synthesis of griseolic acid B", 217th ACS National meeting,
1999, Chicago.
PATENTS
1. US patent application No. 08/401595: “Pseudo- and Non-peptide Bradykinin Receptor Antagonists”
2. Z. Lu, A.A. Patchett, J.R.. Tata; U.S. Patent, 5731317, 1998 (growth hormone)
3. US patent 6642237, 2003 “Gamma-hydroxy-2-(fluoroalkylaminocarbonyl)-1-piperazinepentanamides and
uses thereof” (HIV).
4. US patent 6589962, 2003 “Alpha-hydroxy-gamma-[[(carbocyclic- or heterocyclic substituted) amino]
carboyl] alkanamide derivatives and uses thereof ”(HIV).
5. CETP, case# 21698Y, 2005;
6. CETP, case# 22082YP, 2006;
7. CETP, case# 22113Y, 2006;
8. CETP, case# 22115Y, 2006.