Nicole Schirle Oakdale
Principal Scientist Gilead Sciences
Nicole Schirle Oakdale is a Principal Scientist at Gilead Sciences, Inc., where she leads a team of scientists specializing in protein engineering. With a focus on antibody lead optimization and structure-based rational design, Nicole’s experience extends also to design of multisecific antibodies and optimization via display methodologies.
Nicole has been with Gilead Sciences for seven years, contributing significantly to the advancement of therapeutic antibody development. Prior to her current role, she served as a Senior Scientist at Pfizer, where she honed her skills in protein engineering.
Nicole holds a PhD in Structural Biology from the Scripps Research Institute. Her academic and professional journey has equipped her with a deep understanding of the complexities of protein structures and their applications in drug development.
Seminars
- Bispecific T‑cell engagers have shown strong clinical success in hematologic cancers, but their use in solid tumors is limited by the lack of antigens that are sufficiently selective to avoid on‑target, off‑tumor toxicity
- PRAME, a cancer‑testis antigen with highly tumor‑restricted expression, was identified as a promising solid‑tumor TCE target, and the PRAME₄₂₅ peptide presented by MHC‑I was validated as an attractive pMHC epitope for selective targeting
- Novel antiPRAME₄₂₅ pMHC antibodies were discovered that specifically recognize the PRAME₄₂₅–MHC complex without binding to MHC alone or unrelated pMHCs, and when formatted into TCEs, they drive PRAME₄₂₅specific tumor cell killing—establishing a new class of antiPRAME pMHC biologics
