Investigator of Radiochemistry

Curriculum Vitae

BIOGRAPHY

Sean Kitson, Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Thesis title: Mechanism of Carcinogenesis by Urethane. Received a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Physics and MSc in Science from the Open University, UK.  Investigator of Radiochemistry in the Department of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry at Almac, Northern Ireland, UK. Before then Senior Radiochemist in the Custom Labelling Special Synthesis Team at GE Healthcare (formally Amersham plc). My contribution to radiochemistry was acknowledged by winning the 2006 Wiley - Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals - Young Scientists Award for the elaborate radiosynthesis of the Parkinson’s drug apomorphine. Member of the Scientific Committee for the International Isotopes Society (IIS) UK group. Editor-in-Chief of Current Radiopharmaceuticals and editorial board member on several journals. The author of 40+ papers including reviews, editorials and commercial articles. My research interests includes radiolabelling of biomolecules including isotopic labelling of small molecules which can be utilised in A(D)ME studies. Other interests include neurology, diagnostic Imaging, medical physics, mathematics, hydroponics and aeroponics.

JLCR YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD

  • My contribution to radiochemistry was acknowledged by winning the first Wiley JLCR Young Scientists Award in 2006 for the elaborate carbon-14 radiosynthesis of the Parkinson’s drug apomorphine.

PUBLICATIONS

  1. Cheki M, Papie M, Mansi L, Kitson SL, Gali H. Preliminary Human Radiation Dose Estimates of PET Renal Agents, Para-18F-Fluorohippuric Acid and Ortho-124I-Iodohippuric Acid from Rat Biodistribution Data.  Curr Radiopharm. 2018; 11(1): 58-63. Reference Source
  2. Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review 2017. Curr Radiopharm. 2018; 11(1): 2-3. Reference Source 
  3. Kitson SL,  Moody TS, Watters W, Speed D. Radiolabeling is Still Hot.  Contract Pharma. 7 Nov 2017. Reference Source
  4. Kitson SL. Squaryl Molecular Metaphors – Application to Rational Drug Design and Imaging Agents. J Diagn Imaging in Ther. 2017; 4(1): 35-75. CrossRef
  5.  Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Ciarmiello A, Mansi L. Targeted Therapy Towards Cancer-A Perspective. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2017; 17(3): 311-317. Reference Source
  6. Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review 2017. Curr Radiopharm. 2017; 10(1): 2-5. Reference Source
  7. Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review 2015. Curr Radiopharm. 2016; 9(1): 2-5. Reference Source
  8. Mansi L, Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Ciarmiello A. Basic premises to molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy. J Diagn Imaging Ther. 2014; 1(1): 137-156. CrossRef
  9. Sperandeo A, Ficola U, Quartuccio N, Kitson SL, Mansi L, Cistaro A. Automated synthesis of [18F]fluorocholine using a modified GE TracerLab module. J Diagn Imaging Therapy. 2014; 1(1): 49-58. CrossRef
  10. Kitson SL. Moody TS, Watters W. Modern Developments in Isotopic Labelling.OutsourcedPharma. 2014; Sept 2. Reference Source
  11. Kitson SL. Positron Emission Tomography Neuro-Imaging. Neuro Open J. 2014; 1(1): 1-4. CrossRef
  12. Kitson SL. Application of Radionuclides and Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Cancer Stud Mol Med Open J. 2014; 1(1): 1-7. CrossRef
  13. Kitson SL, Moody TS, Speed D, Watters W. Making Hot ADCs. ADC Review / Journal of Antibody-drug Conjugates. 2014; March 7. CrossRef
  14. Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review. Curr Radiopharm. 2014; 7(1), 1-6. Reference Source
  15. Kitson SL, Moody TS, Quinn DJ, Miskelly I; Speed D, Watters W. Technology Driven Isotopic Labelling Integration, SP2 Inter-Active. 2013; September/October: 34-35. Reference Source
  16. Kitson SL, Quinn DJ, Moody TS, Speed D, Watters W, Rozzell D. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) – A New Generation of Biotherapeutic Bullets. Chimica Oggi/chemistry Today. 2013; 31(4): 30-36. Reference Source
  17. Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Moody TS, Mansi L. Radionuclide antibody-conjugates, a targeted therapy towards cancer, Curr Radiopharm. 2013; 6(2): 57-71. CrossRef PubMed
  18. Kitson SL, Moody TS, Rozzell D, Caswell J. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): Carbon-14 Labelling Requirements. Drug Discovery and Development. 2013; May 30. Reference Source
  19. Hay A, Kitson SL, Quinn DJ, Moody TS. Carbon-14 Bioconjugation: Peptides and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Pharmaceutical Technology. 2013; May 8. Reference Source
  20. Kitson SL. Tracking Human Metabolism with Carbon-14. Drug Discovery Development. 2013; February 14. Reference Source
  21. Kitson SL, Speed D. Carbon-14 API Manufacturing. Drug Discovery World. 2013; 14: 72-77. Reference Source
  22. Kitson, SL. Editorial Review. Curr Radiopharm; 2013; 6(1): 1-6. PubMed Reference Source
  23. Kitson SL. Seeing through the MIST. Manufacturing Chemist. 2012; Sept 24. Reference Source
  24. Bell SJ, McIntyre S, Garcia CF, Kitson SL, Therkelsen F, Andersen SM, et al. Development of an Efficient and Practical Route for the Multi-kilogram Manufacture of Ethyl 5-Cyano-2-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate and Ethyl 6-Chloro-5-cyano-2-methylnicotinate, Key Intermediates in the Preparation of P2Y12 Antagonists. Org Process Res. Dev. 2012; 16(5): 819-823. CrossRef
  25. Kitson SL. Keeping Tags on Biomolecules. ManufacturingChemist. 2012; April: 36-37. Reference Source
  26. Kitson SL. Editorial Review of 2012. Curr Radiopharm. 2012; 5(1): 1-4. Reference Source
  27. Leman L, Kitson SL, Brown RT, Cairns J, Watters W, McMordie A, et al. Synthesis of isotopically labelled [14C]ZT-1 (Debio-9902), [d3]ZT-1 and (−)-[d3]huperzine A, a new generation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2011; 54: 720-730. CrossRef
  28. Kitson SL, Jones S, Watters W, Chan F, Madge D. Carbon-14 radiosynthesis of 4-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-[4-14C]quinolin-2(1H)-one (XEN-D0401), A novel BK channel activator. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2010; 53: 140-146. CrossRef
  29. Kitson SL. Accelerated Radiochemistry,Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packing Sourcer. 2010; Spring: 68-70. Reference Source
  30. Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Ciarmiello A, Salvo D, Mansi L. Clinical Applications of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging in Medicine: Oncology, Brain Diseases and Cardiology. Curr Radiopharm. 2009; 2, 224-253. CrossRef
  31. Duatti A, Kitson SL, Mansi L. Is there only F-18 (and on-site cyclotrons) in the future of Nuclear Medicine? Curr Radiopharm. 2009; 2, 222-223. Reference Source
  32. Kitson SL. Editorial (Letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Current Radiopharmaceuticals).Curr Radiopharm. 2009; 2(1): 1. Reference Source
  33. Kitson SL. Mechanism of the Bischler-Napieralski exocyclic and endocyclic dehydration products in the radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C]Apomorphine. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50: 290-294. CrossRef
  34. Woolley GT, Kitson SL, Reid RG. Synthesis of the Myoview Ligand [bisphosphinoethane-1,2-14C]tetrofosmin. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50: 468-470. CrossRef
  35. Shemilt G, Newby M, Kitson SL. The Design of Radiolabelled Carbon-14 Polymers. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50: 515-518. CrossRef
  36. Kitson SL. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) Receptor Ligands. Curr Pharm Des. 2007; 13: 2621-2637. CrossRef PubMed
  37. Kitson SL. Amersham Radiochemistry to GE Healthcare. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50: 737-745. CrossRef
  38. Kitson SL, Knagg E. Application of the Bischler-Napieralski-Pschorr Radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C] Apomorphine, A non-selective D1/D2 Dopamine Receptor Agonist. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2006; 49: 517-531. CrossRef
  39. Kitson SL. (2004), ‘Design and Application of Stable or Radolabelled Carbamates’, Synthesis and Applications of Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Edited by D C Dean, C N Filer and K E McCarthy. John Wiley and Sons Ltd,8, pp. 317-320.
  40. Kitson SL. Squarate Molecular Metaphors: A Strategy for Drug Design,’ personal communication, 1, 1-140 (2001).
  41. Kitson SL. Molecular Metaphor Drugs: A New Approach to Rational Drug Design’, personal communication, 2, 1-263 (2001).
  42. Bleasdale C, Golding BT, Kitson SL. Preparation of Ethenyl and Oxiranol Carbamates and their [2-2H2]-Derivatives using Selenium Chemistry; Thermolysis of Oxiranol Carbamate and Reaction with Adenosine. Chem. Letts. 1994;4: 291-296. Reference Source
  43. Kitson SL. The Mechanism of Carcinogenesis by Urethane. PhD Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. 1993. ISNI 0000 0001 3600 6154. Reference Source
  44. Khaled A, Bleasdale C, Golding BT, Kitson SL. New Applications of the Protecting Group Di-(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl: N-Protection of Urethanes and Uridines, and Efficient Removal by either Ceric Ammonium Nitrite/Silica or 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-Dicyanoquinone.Tetrahedron Letts. 1992; 33: 4807-4810. Reference Source

CONFERENCE SPEAKER

  • Cancer Drug Discovery & Preclinical Development conference on 17-18 September, 2014 in London. ‘Antibody-Drug Conjugates.’
  • 4th Annual Biologics Symposium, London, UK, February 25-26, 2014. ‘Enabling Technologies – Carbon-14 Labelled ADCs and Peptides.’
  • BioTrinity 2012 – European Bio-partnering and Investment Conference, Newbury Racecourse, UK, April 24-26. ‘Workshop on Carbon-14 Labelled Peptides - Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Bio-tinylation and PEGylation.
  • SP2 Peptide Conference 2012, Chilford Hall Conference Centre, Cambridge, April 17-18. ‘Carbon-14 Labelled Peptide APIs:Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Biotinylation & PEGylation.’
  • 7th International Conference on Isotopes -Moscow, Russia 2011, World Trade Center, September 5-8. ‘Synthesis of isotopically labelled [14C]ZT-1,[d3]ZT-1 & (-)-[d3]huperzine A, a new generation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
  • The Synthesis of BioActive Molecules VI Symposium 2011, University College Cork, July 29. ‘Synthetic Strategies for Carbon-14 Labelling of Drug Molecules.’
  • International Isotope Society, 18th Annual UK Group Symposium on Synthesis and Applications of Labelled Compounds2009, Hinxton, Cambridge 12 November. ‘Carbon-14 radiosynthesis of 4-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-[4-14C]quinolin-2(1H)-one (XEN-D0401), A novel BK channel activator.’
  • 9th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds 2006, Edinburgh 16-20 July. ‘The Radiochemical Synthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C]Apomorphine.’
  • Newcastle-Kyoto Chemical Biology Symposium 2006, University of Newcastle December 1-4. ‘The Radiochemical Synthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C]Apomorphine.’      

CONFERENCE SCIENTIFIC POSTERS

  • Kitson SL. Carbon-14 Labelled Peptide APIs: Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Biotinylation & PEGylation, Abstracts of the 20th International Isotope Society (UK group) Symposium: Synthesis & Applications of Labelled Compounds. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2011; 55: 125-134. [Reference Source]
  • Kitson SL, et al. Carbon-14 Labelling of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) (2011), 19thinternational isotope society (UK group) symposium: synthesis & applications of labelled compounds. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2010; 54: 387-398. [Reference Source]
  • Kitson SL. Hydrolysis of [14C]-Nitrile using Nitrilase (NIT) Biocatalysts, Abstracts of the 18thinternational isotope society (UK group) symposium: synthesis & applications of labelled compounds. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2009; 53: 521-534. [Reference Source]
  • Kitson SL. Synthesis of the Ligand [bisphosphinoethane-1,2-14C]tetrofosmin for MyoviewTMdevelopment, Abstracts of the 9th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds 2006, Edinburgh 16-20 July, UK. 248.
  • Kitson SL. Application of the Bischler-Napieralski-Pschorr Radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C]Apomorphine, A D1/D2Dopamine Receptor Agonist, Abstracts of the 9th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds 2006, Edinburgh 16-20 July, UK. 25.
  • Kitson SL. ‘Bischler-Napieralski-Pschorr Radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C]Apomorphine’, Abstracts of the 15th International Isotope Society (UK group) Symposium 2006. J Label Compd Radiopharm; 49, pp. 411-412. [Reference Source]
  • Kitson SL. (2004), ‘Application of Stable or Radiolabelled Carbamates’, 13th IIS UK symposium Hinxton, UK, J Label Compd Radiopharm, 47, pp. 320 (Abstract) [Reference Source]
  • Kitson SL. (2003), ‘Application of Stable or Radiolabelled Carbamates’, 8th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Boston, USA. Abstract: (2004), 13th IIS (UK group) symposium. J Label Compd Radiopharm, 47: 299–334. [Reference Source]

EDITORIAL

  • 2014 - Present: Editorial Director - Journal of Diagnostic Imaging in Therapy. [JDIT]
  • 2007 - Present: Editor-in-Chief of Current Radiopharmaceuticals. [CRP]
  • 2014 - Present: Associate Editor - The Open Chemistry Journal.[TOCJ]
  • 2007 - 2014: Editor-in-Chief of Current Process Chemistry.
  • Reviewer for the Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals.
  • 2009 - Present: International Isotopes Society (IIS) scientific committee member (UK group).

Contact: seankitson(at)seankitson.com