World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Chemistry

D-Index
68
Citations
13706
World Ranking
6684
National Ranking
2011

Biology and Biochemistry

D-Index
70
Citations
14335
World Ranking
7158
National Ranking
3285

Overview

Joseph P. Vacca is affiliated with MSD in the United States and has an extensive background in research within biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology, with a focus also on medicine. Their work spans molecular biology, pulmonary and respiratory medicine, oncology, cancer research, and immunology.

Their research frequently addresses topics such as prostate cancer treatment and research, cancer-related molecular pathways, advanced breast cancer therapies, cancer genomics and diagnostics, CRISPR and genetic engineering, immune cell function and interaction, and protein degradation and inhibitors.

Among their recent publications are:

  • "Modulating Androgen Receptor-Driven Transcription in Prostate Cancer with Selective CDK9 Inhibitors," 2020, published in Cell chemical biology
  • "Discovery of KB-0742, a Potent, Selective, Orally Bioavailable Small Molecule Inhibitor of CDK9 for MYC-Dependent Cancers," 2023, published in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
  • "Abstract P228: Preclinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of KB-0742, a selective, oral CDK9 inhibitor," 2021, published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
  • "Abstract 7121: The novel WEE1i, APR-1051, is a potentially well tolerated and effective treatment for cyclin E-overexpressing cancers," 2024, published in Cancer Research
  • "Abstract 6177: ATRN-119 and ATRN-W1051: Novel and potentially well tolerated ATR and WEE1 inhibitors for targeted cancer treatment," 2023, published in Cancer Research

Joseph P. Vacca has frequently published in venues including:

  • Cancer Research
  • Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
  • Regular and Young Investigator Award Abstracts
  • Cell chemical biology
  • Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Frequent co-authors in their research include Eric J. Brown, Oren Gilad, David B. Freeman, Molly M. Hansbarger, and Peter Mikochik.

Best Publications

  • L-735,524: an orally bioavailable human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease inhibitor

    J P Vacca;B D Dorsey;W A Schleif;R B Levin

  • Diketo acid inhibitor mechanism and HIV-1 integrase: implications for metal binding in the active site of phosphotransferase enzymes.

    Jay A. Grobler;Kara Stillmock;Binghua Hu;Marc Witmer

  • L-735,524 : the design of a potent and orally bioavailable HIV protease inhibitor

    B D Dorsey;R B Levin;S L McDaniel;J P Vacca

  • A naphthyridine carboxamide provides evidence for discordant resistance between mechanistically identical inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase.

    Daria J. Hazuda;Neville J. Anthony;Robert P. Gomez;Samson M. Jolly

  • Structure-Based Design of Potent and Selective Cell-Permeable Inhibitors of Human β-Secretase (BACE-1)

    Shawn J. Stachel;Craig A. Coburn;Thomas G. Steele;Kristen G. Jones

  • Integrase Inhibitors and Cellular Immunity Suppress Retroviral Replication in Rhesus Macaques

    Daria J. Hazuda;Steven D. Young;James P. Guare;Neville J. Anthony

  • Design and Synthesis of 8-Hydroxy-[1,6]Naphthyridines as Novel Inhibitors of HIV-1 Integrase in Vitro and in Infected Cells

    Linghang Zhuang;John S. Wai;Mark W. Embrey;Thorsten E. Fisher

  • 4-Aryl-2,4-dioxobutanoic acid inhibitors of HIV-1 integrase and viral replication in cells.

    John S. Wai;Melissa S. Egbertson;Linda S. Payne;Thorsten E. Fisher

  • A priori prediction of activity for HIV-1 protease inhibitors employing energy minimization in the active site.

    M. Katharine Holloway;Jenny M. Wai;Thomas A. Halgren;Paula M. D. Fitzgerald

  • MK-5172, a Selective Inhibitor of Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4a Protease with Broad Activity across Genotypes and Resistant Variants

    Vincenzo Summa;Steven W. Ludmerer;John A. McCauley;Christine Fandozzi

  • Highly diastereoselective alkylations of chiral amide enolates: new routes to hydroxyethylene dipeptide isostere inhibitors of HIV-1 protease

    D. Askin;M. A. Wallace;J. P. Vacca;R. A. Reamer

  • Hiv protease inhibitors useful for the treatment of aids

    Joseph P. Vacca;Bruce D. Dorsey;James P. Guare;M. Katharine Holloway

  • Discovery of MK-8742: an HCV NS5A inhibitor with broad genotype activity.

    Craig A. Coburn;Peter T. Meinke;Wei Chang;Christine M. Fandozzi

  • Hcv ns3 protease inhibitors

    M. Katharine Holloway;Nigel J. Liverton;Steven W. Ludmerer;John A. Mccauley

  • Pharmacological characterization of MK-0974 [N-[(3R,6S)-6-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)azepan-3-yl]-4-(2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-1-yl)piperidine-1-carboxamide], a potent and orally active calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist for the treatment of migraine.

    Christopher A. Salvatore;James C. Hershey;Halea A. Corcoran;John F. Fay

  • Potent, orally bioavailable calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists for the treatment of migraine: discovery of N-[(3R,6S)-6-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1- (2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)azepan-3-yl]-4- (2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin- 1-yl)piperidine-1-carboxamide (MK-0974)

    Daniel V Paone;Anthony W Shaw;Diem N Nguyen;Christopher S Burgey

  • Discovery of Vaniprevir (MK-7009), a Macrocyclic Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4a Protease Inhibitor

    John A. McCauley;Charles J. McIntyre;Michael T. Rudd;Kevin T. Nguyen

  • Discovery of MK-5172, a Macrocyclic Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4a Protease Inhibitor.

    Steven Harper;John A McCauley;Michael T Rudd;Marco Ferrara

  • X-Ray Crystal Structure of the HIV Protease Complex with L-700,417, an Inhibitor with Pseudo C2 Symmetry

    Roger Bone;Joseph P. Vacca;Paul S. Anderson;M. Katharine Holloway

  • Discovery of 3-{5-[(6-amino-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3-yl)methoxy]-2-chlorophenoxy}-5-chlorobenzonitrile (MK-4965): a potent, orally bioavailable HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with improved potency against key mutant viruses.

    Thomas J Tucker;John T Sisko;Robert M Tynebor;Theresa M Williams

  • L-687,908, a potent hydroxyethylene-containing HIV protease inhibitor.

    J P Vacca;J P Guare;S J deSolms;W M Sanders

Frequent Co-Authors

David B. Olsen
David B. Olsen MSD (United States)
Daria J. Hazuda
Daria J. Hazuda MSD (United States)
Harold G. Selnick
Harold G. Selnick MSD (United States)
Arun K. Ghosh
Arun K. Ghosh Purdue University West Lafayette
Shaun R. Stauffer
Shaun R. Stauffer Cleveland Clinic
Michael D. Miller
Michael D. Miller United States Military Academy
Jules A. Shafer
Jules A. Shafer MSD (United States)
Samuel Graham
Samuel Graham Georgia Institute of Technology
Ian W. Davies
Ian W. Davies Princeton University

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