Joseph Jakubowski, PhD

Director of Cardiovascular Disease Platform

Joined the IBRI in November 2023

Joseph Jakubowski

Joseph (Joe) Jakubowski, PhD, has more than 40 years of research experience in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis. At the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI), he will leverage the IBRI’s technologies to foster external collaborations with basic and clinical investigators to address the unmet needs of ischaemic cardiovascular disease.

Following his PhD research on factors affecting human platelet aggregation at the Australian National University, he spent eight years affiliated with Boston University School of Medicine as a post-doctoral scientist and assistant research professor. His post-doctoral studies explored the pharmacology of mediators of platelet and coagulation activation and inhibition and were supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Veterans Administration.

In 1988, Jakubowski was recruited by Eli Lilly and Company to identify, characterize and develop novel antithrombotic agents. He subsequently headed a group of PhD pharmacologists and medicinal chemists, who identified several novel antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents.

Jakubowski’s efforts at Lilly Research Laboratories (LRL) resulted in several novel molecules undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation with two, Abciximab (ReoPro) and Prasugrel (Effient), ultimately being approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Jakubowski played key roles in the submission and subsequent commercialization of these two antithrombotic medications. These successes were in part the result of effective external collaborations that he pursued with academia, and biotechnology and large pharma companies, both domestic and international.

Jakubowski is recognized internationally for his contributions to the development of novel antithrombotic therapies and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, reviews and book chapters on this work. He is also listed as inventor or co-inventor on 20 issued patents. 

Additional activities include peer review of submitted manuscripts and membership of several Data and Safety Monitoring Boards.

Areas of Expertise

  • Clinical pharmacology
  • Data analysis/dissemination

  • Drug discovery/development

  • DSMB guidance

  • External alliance

  • PK/PD/biomarkers

  • Thrombosis and hemostasis

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Science), The Australian National University John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australia, 1980
  • Master of Science (Human Nutrition), The University of London Queen Elizabeth College, United Kingdom, 1976
  • Bachelor of Science (Applied Biology), The Hatfield Polytechnic/University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, 1975

Awards & Certifications

  • FDA CDER, Center Director’s Special Citation, recognizing the design and implementation of a phase 3 pediatric clinical trial in Sickle Cell Disease, 2017
  • Lilly Research Laboratories, Individual Leadership Award, 2006
  • Lilly Research Laboratories, President’s Council Award for drug development, 2006
  • Lilly Research Laboratories, President’s Award for drug discovery, 1994

Honorary Societies

  • American Heart Association
  • European Society of Cardiology
  • International Society for Thrombosis and Hemostasis
  • Royal Society of Medicine (London)