Géraldine Gontier, PhD

INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING · SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Preclinical Pharmacology & Translational Biomarker Consulting

Supporting biotechnology companies and academic research teams with in-vivo pharmacology, preclinical PK/PD, and translational biomarker strategies to advance scientific research and drug development.

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In-vivo pharmacologyPK/PDTranslational biomarkers
Professional portrait of Géraldine GontierGéraldine Gontier, PhD
SERVICES

Scientific support tailored to your research

Specialized services for biotech programs and academic laboratories. Select an audience to explore specific capabilities.

Preclinical pharmacology, translational biomarkers, and scientific program support for drug discovery and development teams.

WHERE I CONTRIBUTE

Across the drug development pathway

The teal region identifies my core preclinical focus and related IND-enabling pharmacology support.

  1. 01Target
    Identification
  2. 02In-Vitro
    Pharmacology
  3. 03In-Vivo
    Pharmacology
  4. 04Biomarkers &
    Translation
  5. 05IND-Enabling
    Studies
  6. 06Clinical
    Development

Focus: in-vivo pharmacology and translational biomarker strategy, with selected contributions to IND-enabling activities — not clinical development services.

ABOUT ME

From academic neuroscience to preclinical drug development

Géraldine Gontier, PhD

I am a neuroscientist and independent scientific consultant with over 17 years of research experience spanning neuroscience, aging biology, and biotechnology drug development.

My career began in academic research, investigating the molecular mechanisms of aging and neurodegeneration. I subsequently transitioned into biotechnology, focusing on in-vivo pharmacology, preclinical PK/PD, and translational biomarker development across neurological and metabolic diseases.

Today, I support biotech companies and academic laboratories with scientific expertise to advance research, strengthen preclinical development strategies, and guide data-driven decisions.

01

PhD · Pierre and Marie Curie University

Physiology, neuroscience, and aging biology.

02

Postdoctoral Research · UCSF

Brain aging, epigenetics, and regenerative mechanisms.

03

Scientist · Unity Biotechnology

Preclinical neurodegeneration research and therapeutic programs.

04

Principal Scientist · Verge Genomics

In-vivo pharmacology, PK/PD, biomarkers, and preclinical program leadership.

05

Independent Scientific Consultant · Present

Preclinical pharmacology and translational support for biotech and academia.

SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS

Evidence-driven scientific experience

Selected examples from preclinical drug development, biomarker translation, and neuroscience research.

01 · DRUG DEVELOPMENT

Preclinical Drug Development

Contributions to preclinical small-molecule programs across neurological and metabolic diseases, integrating in-vivo pharmacology, PK/PD, efficacy, and biomarker evidence to inform program decisions.

Public-facing description; confidential results and internal milestones are not disclosed.

02 · BIOMARKER SCIENCE

Translational Biomarker Development

Development of pharmacodynamic biomarker strategies, including GPNMB as a translational readout of PIKfyve inhibition, connecting preclinical models and clinical biomarker evaluation.

View publication

  • Glycoprotein Non-Metastatic Melanoma Protein B (GPNMB): A Translational Pharmacodynamic Biomarker for PIKfyve Inhibition with VRG50635

    Gontier G.**, Kim G.**, Wang C., Zhu K., Gau R., Zhang N., Naphade S., Stewart A., Schmidt M.J., Galemmo R., Shook B., Tarachandani A., Choi I., Raines S., Scannevin R.H., Grievink H.W., Smits L.M.G., Kremer P.H.C., Cadavid D. (2026). Clinical and Translational Science.

    ** Co-first authors.

    DOI ↗
03 · ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Neuroscience & Aging Research

Research investigating mechanisms of brain aging, epigenetic regulation, and neurodegeneration.

View publications

  • Blood factors transfer beneficial effects of exercise on neurogenesis and cognition to the aged brain

    Horowitz A.M., Fan X., Bieri G., Smith L.K., Sanchez-Diaz C., Schroer A.B., Gontier G., et al. (2020). Science.

    DOI ↗

  • Tet2 rescues age-related regenerative decline and enhances cognitive function in adult mouse brain

    Gontier G., Iyer M., Shea J.M., Bieri G., et al. (2018). Cell Reports.

    DOI ↗

  • Blocking IGF signaling in adult neurons alleviates Alzheimer's disease pathology through amyloid-β clearance

    Gontier G., George C., Chaker Z., et al. (2015). Journal of Neuroscience.

    DOI ↗

  • β2-microglobulin is a systemic pro-aging factor that impairs cognitive function and neurogenesis

    Smith L.K., He Y.B., Park J.S., et al. (2015). Nature Medicine.

    DOI ↗

Explore the full record of research articles, reviews, and a manuscript under review.

All publications
GET IN TOUCH

Let's discuss your research needs.

Available to work with biotechnology companies and academic laboratories across the US and internationally. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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biotech consulting

Pharmacokinetics (PK)

Preclinical pharmacokinetic study design and interpretation to characterize exposure and support dosing decisions.

Areas of support

Example of support

Plan a rodent PK study to characterize compound exposure and inform doses for downstream PD and efficacy studies.

biotech consulting

Pharmacodynamics (PD)

Study strategies to measure target engagement and the pharmacodynamic response to investigational therapeutics.

Areas of support

Example of support

Design a target engagement study integrating compound exposure with biomarker measurements in blood and relevant tissues.

biotech consulting

In-Vivo Efficacy

Scientific design and interpretation of preclinical efficacy studies to evaluate therapeutic potential.

Areas of support

Example of support

Develop a preclinical efficacy strategy for a neuroscience or metabolic disease program using disease-relevant endpoints.

biotech consulting

Translational Biomarker Strategy

Biomarker strategies connecting preclinical pharmacology findings to clinical development objectives.

Areas of support

Example of support

Plan preclinical biomarker assessments using relevant tissues and human biospecimens to support a future clinical biomarker strategy.

biotech consulting

CRO Management & Study Oversight

Scientific oversight and coordination of outsourced preclinical and bioanalytical studies.

Areas of support

Example of support

Oversee outsourced in-vivo and bioanalytical studies while reviewing scientific quality, results, and deliverables.

biotech consulting

Preclinical Development Support

Cross-functional scientific support for preclinical programs, focused on pharmacology evidence and translational decisions.

Areas of support

Example of support

Review integrated preclinical data to identify the pharmacology evidence needed for the next development milestone.

academia consulting

In-Vivo Research & Experimental Design

Scientific support for the design, execution, and interpretation of in-vivo research studies.

Areas of support

Example of support

Design an animal study investigating a biological pathway, including controls, endpoints, and tissue collection.

academia consulting

Animal Models & Colony Management

Support for the selection, implementation, and management of animal models used in biomedical research.

Areas of support

Example of support

Develop breeding and experimental cohort plans for a genetically modified research model.

academia consulting

Data Analysis & Scientific Interpretation

Scientific analysis and interpretation of experimental datasets to support sound conclusions and future research.

Areas of support

Example of support

Analyze in-vivo study data, prepare clear figures, and identify experiments needed to strengthen conclusions.

academia consulting

Scientific Writing & Research Support

Scientific communication and research support for academic research programs.

Areas of support

Example of support

Help turn experimental results into a manuscript narrative with clear figures and appropriately supported claims.

academia consulting

Academic-to-Industry Translation

Helping academic labs translate therapeutic discoveries into preclinical strategies and data packages for potential industry partners.

Areas of support

Example of support

Assess a promising therapeutic compound, define additional studies, and assemble a scientific package to support biotech discussions.