John Cannon

Biography

Dr. Cannon is currently president of his own drug delivery and pharmaceutics consulting firm, Targeted Drug Solutions, Inc., in Grayslake, Illinois. He is also an adjunct faculty member in Chemistry at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, and at the College of Lake County, Grayslake, Illinois. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Princeton University; his dissertation research focused on organo-transition metal chemistry.  After a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at San Diego investigating hemoglobin model compounds, Dr. Cannon served in faculty positions at Northern Illinois University and Cleveland State University (Ohio), as well as in visiting scientist research positions at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation (California) and at Cornell University Medical College (New York).  He made significant contributions to understanding the interaction of metalloporphyrins and heme proteins with biological membranes and liposomes.  This was followed by a research chemist position at American Cyanamid Company’s Veterinary Research Division investigating parenteral controlled release formulations of protein and peptide hormones.  He recently retired from a 20 year career as a pharmaceutical scientist at Abbott Laboratories, where he focused on oral lipid-based drug delivery systems, water-insoluble drug formulations, liposomes, emulsions, topical / transdermal drug delivery, preformulation / basic pharmaceutics, and Phase I formulation development.  He is a member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, the American Scientific Affiliation, the American Chemical Society, and Sigma Xi.  Dr. Cannon has published about 30 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 12 book chapters, and 4 patents.  He has also made about 15 presentations with published abstracts at meetings of various scientific societies, and has been a reviewer for a number of scientific journals.  

Education

B.S. in Chemistry, Duke University, Durham NC, 1970
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton NJ, 1975

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Drug solubilization and lipid-based drug delivery systems:  
Developed a technology platform for liquid and semi-solid-filled lipid-based formulations in hard capsules for water-insoluble compounds; investigated development of solid dosage forms of lipid-based drug delivery systems of lipophilic compounds; developed a lipid-based Phase I clinical formulation for a water-insoluble drug candidate; coordinated an internal training workshop on oral lipid-based formulation development; developed several Phase I formulations for new drug candidates; investigated mechanisms of and methods for physical and chemical stability of lipid-based formulations.
Emulsion and liposomal drug delivery:
Developed a lyophilized liposomal formulation of a metalloporphyrin drug for hyperbilirubinemia; developed a series of liposomal formulations for an anticancer compound and coordinated in vitro and in vivo testing; developed a liposomal formulation for a topical immunosuppressant to support toxicology studies.  Developed emulsion and bile salt-phospholipid mixed micelle formulations which showed potential for reducing the pain on injection of clarithromycin in animal models; developed liposomal sustained release formulations for a parenteral protein animal health product; investigated kinetics of binding of cytochrome c to liposomes; discovered a mechanism of heme efflux from liposomes in the presence of heme binding proteins.
Transdermal and topical drug delivery:
Put into place methods to evaluate feasibility of transdermal delivery of compounds by evaluating in vitro diffusion through human skin.  Examined feasibility of transdermal delivery of cholinergic channel activators, renin inhibitors and other compounds.  Coordinated a cross-divisional team to evaluate transdermal in-licensing opportunities and identify pipeline compounds for transdermal delivery.  Performed preformulation and physical-chemical characterization studies for a topical immunosuppressant, and developed a topical formulation with superior penetration profile for the compound.

Personal Interests

Bicycling, bird-watching, hiking, and other outdoor activities.  Interested in science-faith interface issues such as origins, intelligent design, bioethics.  

Books