Dr Denisa Wilkes

Dr Wilkes is the Medical Director and MHRA-accredited First-in-Human Principal Investigator at Hammersmith Medicines Research (HMR), one of Europe’s leading early-phase clinical pharmacology units. With a distinguished career in clinical research and pharmaceutical medicine spanning over 18 years, Dr Wilkes provides high-level strategic, medical, and scientific expertise and leadership across all aspects of early phase clinical development.

She brings a wealth of experience in translational and clinical medicine and has led over100 studies across diverse therapeutic areas and study populations. Dr Wilkes is known for her rigorous scientific approach, commitment to participant safety, and collaborative leadership style. She has presented clinical data at major international conferences, including ESCMID 2024, where she shared findings from a first-in-human study on a novel pan-coronavirus protease inhibitor.

Dr Wilkes trained in Medicine and Surgery in Oxford and completed core specialist training in Anaesthesia and Critical Care in Oxford and London. She holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Science (Distinction) in Clinical Pharmacology, and both UK and European Diplomas in Pharmaceutical Medicine.

She is a Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine UK, a member of the UK HRA Phase 1 Advisory Group, and she also serves on the Medical Research Council (MRC) Medicines Development Fellowship Programme Board. In her role as Responsible Officer (RO) she has an important statutory role in medical regulation.

At HMR, she leads a multidisciplinary team advancing innovative therapies through high-quality, ethically driven research.