Warren Hirst

Warren Hirst is responsible for defining and executing the scientific strategy for DaCapo Brainscience, leading the research scientists who are developing  novel CNS stem-cell models that recapitulate disease mechanisms and  progression. These models will be used to select targets that drive  Parkinson’s disease progression, understand their mechanism of action,  screen and optimize leads into novel therapeutics. 

Warren has over 25 years of experience in research and development of  novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders, targeting mechanisms  strongly supported by human genetics and pathology, at Biogen, Pfizer,  Wyeth, GSK and SmithKline Beecham, prior to joining DaCapo Brainscience  in January 2024. Warren has directly lead teams that have discovered and  advanced 3 molecules into clinical trials and has been on teams that have  made similar advances with 12 further molecules. 

Warren has published over 90 peer-reviewed scientific papers and is actively  engaged in the wider scientific community via collaborations with key  academic partners, and his service on NINDS study sections, foundation  grant review committees, and as an ad-hoc reviewer for multiple journals  including Cell, Neuron and PNAS. 

Warren has a strong, and long-term, dating back to 2006, relationship with  the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, having received  multiple grants in addition to serving as a reviewer and assessor. He served  on their Executive Scientific Advisory Board from 2017-2019 and remains a  close scientific advisor. In 2019 Warren received the Bill Langston award  from the MJFF in recognition of his outstanding contributions to The Michael  J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Warren was part of the  foundational ASAP collaborative research network; a member of Team  Kordower. Warren is currently on the Parkinson’s Foundation Executive  Scientific Advisory Board and an advisor to SPARK NS. 

Warren holds a B.Sc. in biochemistry and a Ph.D. in molecular neurobiology  from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London.