Name:	Julius Sipilä
Duty:	Modeller, Medicinal Chemistry
Location:	Espoo
Orioneer since:	2006

When the post of a modeller became open in spring 2006, Julius Sipilä seized the opportunity. Although this meant a break in his postgraduate studies in pharmacy, he has been happy with his solution.

– A modeller’s job provides an excellent view into early pharmaceutical research, which in Finland is only carried out at Orion. I want to be there when a new active pharmaceutical ingredient that ends up on pharmacy shelves is discovered.

Julius is engaged in the computer-based analysis of active molecules to be converted into pharmaceutical ingredients. The software enables virtual screening in a library of millions of molecules.

– We can go through a multiple number of compounds and pick up those that are worth testing experimentally. An approach of trial and error would be rather inefficient, Julius says, laughing.

Although computer-assisted methods improve the chances of success, the results are always uncertain.

– You need to have some healthy criticism of the results. Information obtained from tests is always insufficient, but this should not stop us from using it. We try to analyse the information carefully so that decisions can be made, Julius explains.

A modeller also needs an innovative and creative approach to work. Julius Sipilä points out that a researcher does not sit alone in his room. A multidisciplinary structural design team, consisting of specialists from various fields, provides important support.

– If everyone just concentrates on their own area, we will not see the big picture. In order to draw on all available expertise, we need to understand people from different fields. Applied pharmacy that combines various disciplines provides a good foundation for this, Julius reflects.

Back