Benjamin E. Blass, Ph.D.

Benjamin E. Blass is a technical advisor to Caesar Rivise and an Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research at Temple University. Professor Blass is an experienced scientist and educator with foundational knowledge in a wide range of disease states, biological targets, medicinal chemistry, and drug design. His track record of excellence includes multiple successful IND candidate programs, industrial/academic partnerships, and matrix driven program management. An active presence in the laboratory throughout his career has kept his skills on the cutting edge of technology, and his focus on hypothesis-driven science has driven his career forward, resulting in over fifty patents, publications, invited lectureships, and funded grant applications.

Technical Fields Served

• Arthritis
• Biotechnology
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chemical
• Chronic pain & inflammation
• Drug development
• Fragment based drug design
• G protein-coupled receptors
• Hit to lead optimization
• Kinases
• Ligand gated ion channels
• Medical Device
• Medicinal chemistry
• Metalloproteases
• Molecular modeling
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Oncology
• Osteoporosis
• Pharmaceutical
• Structure based drug design
• Tyrosine phosphatases
• Voltage gated ion channels

Affiliations

• Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Moulder Center for Drug Discovery Research
• Adjunct Professor, Drexel University College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology and Physiology
• Editorial Advisory Board Member, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
• Residential School on Medicinal Chemistry, Drew University
• Member of the American Chemical Society
• Member of the American Association of College of Pharmacy
• Reviewer for European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters, Tetrahedron Letters, Journal of Medicincal Chemistry

Patent and Patent Applications

• Kv1.5 potassium channel inhibitors, Janusz, J. M.; Hodson, S. J.; Bosch G. K.; White R. E.; Blass B. E.; Jackson C. M.; Fairweather, N. T. US Patent 7803827, 2010.
• Preparation of 4-imidazolidinones as Kv1.5 potassium channel inhibitors, Blass, B. E.; Janusz, J. M.; Wu, S.; Ridgeway, J. M.; Coburn, K.; Lee, W.; Fluxe, A. J.; White, R. E.; Jackson, C. M.; Fairweather, N. WO 2009079624, 2009.
• Preparation of 4-imidazolidinones as Kv1.5 potassium channel inhibitors, Blass, B. E.; Janusz, J. M.; Ridgeway, J. M.; Wu, S. WO 2009079630, 2009.
• Kv1.5 potassium channel inhibitors, Janusz, J. M.; Hodson, S. J.; Bosch G. K.; White R. E.; Blass B. E.; Jackson C. M.; Fairweather, N. T. US Patent 7504517, 2009.
• Preparation of 4-oxo-1,3,8-triaza-spiro[4.5]decanes as Kv1.5 potassium channel inhibitors, Janusz, J. M.; Wu, S.; Fairweather, N. T.; Lee, W.; Blass, B. E.; Fluxe, A. J.; Hodson, S. J.; Ridgeway, J. M. WO 2007149873, 2007.
• Imidazolidinone derivatives as Kv1.5 potassium channel inhibitors and their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions and use in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, Janusz, J. M.; Hodson, S. J.; Bosch, G. K.; White, R. E.; Blass, B. E.; Jackson, C. M.; Fairweather, N. T. WO 2007149874, 2007.
• Triazole compounds useful in treating diseases associated with unwanted cytokine activity, Tullis, J S.; Van Rens, J. C.; Clark, M. P.; Blass, B. E.; Natchus, M. G.; De, B. US Patent 6787555, 2004.
• Triazole compounds useful in treating diseases associated with unwanted cytokine activity, Tullis, J S.; Van Rens, J. C.; Clark, M. P.; Blass, B. E.; Natchus, M. G.; De, B. US Patent 6727364, 2004.
• Process for making functionalized oxazolidinone compounds, Blass, B. E. US Patent 6635769, 2003.
• N-(1-Phenylethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazole-2-amine compounds, their composition and uses, Blass, B. E.; Liu, S.; Portlock, D. E. US Patent 6596739, 2003.
• Preparation of 4-aryltriazoles useful in treating diseases associated with unwanted cytokine activity, Tullis, J S.; Van Rens, J. C.; Clark, M. P.; Blass, B. E.; Natchus, M. G.; De, B. WO 200288113, 2002.
• Preparation of 4-aryltriazoles useful in treating diseases associated with unwanted cytokine Activity, Tullis, J S.; Van Rens, J. C.; Clark, M. P.; Blass, B. E.; Natchus, M. G.; De, B. WO 200288108, 2002.
• N-(1-Phenylethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazole-2-amine compounds for treating cardiovascular, oncology, infectious and inflammatory diseases. Liu, S.; Blass, B.E.; Portlock, D.E. WO 0144203, 2001.
• Process for selective alkylation of benzodiazepin-2,5-dione compounds in the presence of KF/Al2O3 Blass, B.E.; Liu, S. WO 0130769, 2001.
• Process for making functionalized oxazolidinone compounds in the presence of KF/Al2O3 Blass, B.E. WO 0069837, 2000.

Publications & Presentations

• Development of a novel non-radiometric assay for nucleic acid binding to TDP-43 suitable for high-throughput screening using AlphaScreen technology, Cassel, J. A.; Blass, B. E.; Reitz, A. B.; Pawlyk, A. C. J. Biomol. Screen. 2010, in press.
• Development of a novel non-radiometric assay for nucleic acid binding to TDP-43 suitable for high-throughput screening using AlphaScreen technology. Pawlyk A.C.; Cassel J.A.; Blass B.E.; Reitz A.B., Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, CA, 2010.
• Selective Kv1.5 blockers: Development of KVI-020/WYE-160020 as a potential treatment for atrial arrhythmia, Blass, B. E.; Fensome, A.; Trybulski, E.; Magolda, R.; Gardell, S.; Liu, K.; Samuel, M.; Feingold, I.; Huselton, C.; Jackson, C.; Djandjighian, L.; Ho, D.; Hennan, J.; Janusz, J. J. Med. Chem. 2009, 52, 21, 6531-6534.
• Selective Kv1.5 blockers: Development of KVI-020 as a potential treatment for atrial arrhythmia, Blass, B. E.; Coghlan, R.; Fensome, A.; Steffan, R.; Trybulski, E.; Vera, M.; Vu, A.; Webb, M.; Cross, J; Unwalla,R.; Hennan, J.; Liu, K.; Samuel, M.; Eta, J.; Feingold, I.; Huselton, C.; Kao, J.; Tio, C.; Vlasuk, G.; Morgan, G.; Swillo, R.; Rossman, E. I.; Janusz, J. M.; Jackson, C. M.; Djandjighian, L.; Hedges, R. 238th American Chemical Society National Meeting, Aug. 16-20, 2009.
• Kv1.5 inhibitor, WYE-160020, reduces atrial fibrillation/flutter inducibility in post-operative sterile pericarditis and simultaneous atrial/ventricular tachypacing canine models, Rossman, E.I.; Morgan, G.A.; Swillo, R.E.; Liu, K.; Blass, B. E.; Jackson, C. M.; Janusz, J. M.; Fensome, A.; Trybulski, E. J.; Gardell, S. J.; Vlasuk, G. P.; Hennan, J.K., 30th Annual Heart Rhythm Society Meeting, Boston, MA, May 13-16th, 2009.
• 1,4-Dihydro-1-(phenylmethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide, Blass, B.E. Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis, 2008.
• Evolution of thiazolidine-based blockers of human Kv1.5 for the treatment of atrial arrhythmias, Jackson, C. M.; Blass, B.; Coburn, K.; Djandjighian, L.; Fadayel, G.; Fluxe, A. J.; Hodson, S. J.; Janusz, J. M.; Murawsky, M.; Ridgeway, J. M.; White, R. E.; Wu, S. Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2007, 17, 1, 282-284.
• Synthesis of 1-aminoimidazolidin-4-one and 1-aminoimidazolidin-2-one based compounds: An interesting divergence in methodology, Blass, B. E.; Coburn, K.; Fairweather, N.; Fluxe, A.; Hodson, S.; Jackson, C.; Janusz, J.; Lee, W.; Ridgeway, J.; White, R.; Wu, S. Tetrahedron Lett. 2006, 47, 42, 7497-7499.
• Synthesis and evaluation of (2-phenethyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)(phenyl)methanones as Kv1.5 channel blockers for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, Blass, B. E.; Coburn, K.; Lee, W.; Fairweather, N.; Fluxe, A.; Wu, S.; Janusz, J. M.; Murawsky, M.; Fadayel, G.; Fang, B.; Hare, M.; Ridgeway, J.; White, R.; Jackson, C.; Djandjighian, L.; Hedges, R.; Wireko, F. C.; Ritter, A. Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2006, 16, 17, 4629-4632.
• Discovery and in vitro/in vivo studies of tetrazole derivatives as Kv1.5 inhibitors, Wu, S.; Blass, B. E.; Coburn, K.; Lee, W.; Fairweather, N.; Fluxe, A.; Janusz, J. M.; Murawsky, M.; Fadayel, G.; Fang, B.; Hare, M.; Ridgeway, J.; White, R.; Jackson, C.; Djandjighian, L.; Hedges, R.; Wireko, F. C.; Ritter, A. Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2006, 16, 24, 6213-6218.
• Discovery and synthesis of tetrahydroindolone derived semicarbazones as selective Kv1.5 blockers, Wu, S.; Blass, B. E.; Coburn, K.; Lee, W.; Fairweather, N.; Fluxe, A.; Janusz, J. M.; Murawsky, M.; Fadayel, G.; Fang, B.; Hare, M.; Ridgeway, J.; White, R.; Jackson, C.; Djandjighian, L.; Hedges, R.; Wireko, F. C.; Ritter, A. Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2006, 16, 22, 5859-5863.
• A facile, KF/Al2O3 mediated method for the preparation of functionalized pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-ones, Blass, B. E.; Coburn, K. R.;Fairweather, N.; Sabat, M.; West, L., Tetrahedron Lett. 2006, 47, 18, 3177-3180.
• Solid-phase approach towards the synthesis of functionalized imidazo [1,2-b] pyrazol-2-ones, Blass, B. E.; Srivastava, A.; Coburn, K. R.; Faulkner, A. L.; Janusz, J. J.; Ridgeway, J. M.; Seibel, W. L. Tetrahedron Lett. 2004, 45, 6, 1275-77.
• Solution phase synthesis of imidazo [1,2-b] pyrazol-2-one, an interesting 5,5-fused heterocyclic ring system, Blass, B. E.; Srivastava, A.; Coburn, K. R.; Faulkner, A. L.; Janusz, J. J.; Ridgeway, J. M.; Seibel, W. L. Tetrahedron Lett. 2004, 45, 3, 619-621.
• A simple method for the preparation and selective functionalization of 4,5-diaminopyrazoles, Blass, B.E.; Coburn, K. R.; Faulkner, A. L.; Seibel, W. L.; Srivastava, A. Tetrahedron Lett. 2003, 44, 14, 3009-3011.
• Applications of solid supported azide anion: A one-pot, two-step preparation of functionalized 1,2,3-triazoles, Blass, B.E.; Coburn, K. R.: Faulkner, A. L.; Seibel, W. L.; Srivastava, A. Tetrahedron Lett. 2003, 44, 10, 2153-2155.
• KF/Al2O3 mediated organic synthesis, Blass, B.E. Tetrahedron, 2002 58, 46, 9301-9320.
• Solid phase synthesis of funtionalized 1,2,4-triazin-6-ones, Blass, B. E.; Coburn, K. R., Faulkner, A. L.; Liu, S.; Ogden, A.; Portlock, D .E.; Srivastava, A.; Tetrahedron Lett. 2002, 43, 45, 8165-8167.
• Development and optimization of a solid phase route to 1-aminohydantoins, Li.M; Wilson, L. J.; Portlock, D. E.; Blass, B. E.; Harris, C.; Russell, A. Abstr. Pap. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 220, 233.
• Solid phase synthesis of funtionalized 1,2,3-triazoles, Blass, B. E.; Coburn, K. R., Faulkner, A. L.; Hunn, C. L.; Natchus, M. G.; Parker, M.S.; Portlock, D .E.; Tullis, J. S.; Wood, R. Tetrahedron Lett. 2002, 43, 4059-4061.
• A facile, selective KF/ Al2O3 mediated method for the deprotection of aryl silyl ethers and preparation of aryl SEM ethers, Blass, B. E.; Harris, C. L.; Portlock, D. E. Tetrahedron Lett. 2001, 42, 1611-1613.
• Synthesis of -Boc-hydrazino acid resin esters in the preparation of 1-aminohydantoin libraries, Harris, C. L.; Blass, B. E.; Wilson, L. J.; Li, M.; Chen, J. J.; Rupnik, K. J.; Portlock, D. E.; Burt, T. M. Abstr. Pap. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 220, 225.
• Parallel synthesis and evaluation of N-(1-phenylethyl)-5-phenyl-imidazole-2-amines as Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitors, Blass, B. E.; Huang,, C. T.; Kawamoto, R. M.; Li, M.; Liu, S.; Portlock, D. E.;Rennells, W. M.; Simmons, M. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2000, 10, 14,1543-1545.
• A facile KF/ Al2O3 mediated, selective alkylation of benzodiazepin 2,5-diones Blass, B.E.; Burt, T.M.; Liu, S.; Portlock, D.E.; Swing, E.M. Tetrahedron Lett. 2000, 41, 2063.
• A facile KF/ Al2O3 mediated method for the synthesis of substituted oxazolidinones Blass, B.E.; Drowns, M.; Harris, C.L.; Liu, S.; Portlock, D.E. Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 6545.
• Enantioselective total synthesis of Didesepoxyrhizoxin, Kende, A.S.; Blass, B.E., Henry, J.R. Tetrahedron Lett. 1995, 36, 4741.
• A new paradigm for alkene epoxidation: Activation of hydrogen peroxide by organophosphorous electrophiles, Kende, A.S.; Delair, P.; Blass, B.E. Tetrahedron Lett. 1994, 35, 8123.
• Studies directed towards the total synthesis of Rhizoxin: Synthesis of the macrolactone core, Blass, B. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Rochester, 1994.
• A novel dyatropic rearrangement of -N,N-dibenzylamino ,-dehydro-N-formylamino acid esters, Kende, A. S.; Brands, K. M. J.; Blass, B. Tetrahedron Lett., 1993, 34, 579.

Funded Grants

• Novel GLT-1 Upregulators for Treatment of Cocaine Addiction and Withdrawal, American Association of College of Pharmacy New Investigator Award, 2012.
• Small Molecule Probes for TAR DNA Binding Protein 43 TDP-43, R-21 approved for funding, Project number 1R21NS072749-01, 2010.

Invited Lectures

• Patent Law: An Overview of Key Concepts, Drexel College of Medicine, November, 2011
• Small Molecule Glutamate Transporter 1 (GLT-1) Expression Enhancers Useful for the Treatment of Cocaine Addiction and Withdrawal, University of Rochester, October 2011.
• Patent Law in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Temple University School of Pharmacy, April 2011.
• Drug Discovery and Development: Modern Methods and Principles, Delaware Valley College, March 2011.
• Modern Methods and Principles of Drug Discovery and Development, Temple University, Department of Biology, March 2011.
• Drug Discovery and Development: Modern Methods and Principles, University of Rochester, March 2011.
• Patent Law in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Drexel College of Medicine, November, 2010.
• Patent Law in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, 2010.
• Voltage-gated potassium channels as therapeutic targets, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, 2010.
• Combinatorial chemistry and the practical chemist’s tool box, Villanova University guest lecturer, 2008.
• Emory University departmental seminar, October, 2005.
• Emory University departmental seminar, October, 2004
• National Science Foundation workshop in the chemical sciences, Wright State University, 2004.
• Combinatorial chemistry and the practical chemist’s tool box, Ohio Valley Organic Chemistry Symposium, 2004.
• Enantioselective [2+2] cycloaddition chemistry, Departmental Seminar, University of Rochester, February 5th, 1993