Leadership Oncology

Welcome to our platform dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the leaders driving innovation and progress in the field of oncology. Explore expert opinions, and impactful stories highlighting the visionary individuals shaping the future of cancer care. Join us as we honor their leadership, dedication, and transformative contributions to advancing oncology for the benefit of patients worldwide

Nabanita Nawar, PhD: HDAX Therapeutics Dr. Nabanita Nawar, a trailblazing scientist, entrepreneur, and educator, is at the forefront of innovation in medicinal chemistry and drug design. As the Co-Founder and CEO of HDAX Therapeutics, she leads the charge in developing next-generation HDAC inhibitors with potential therapeutic applications for cancers like NK/T-cell lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia. Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and a Termeer Fellow, Dr. Nawar exemplifies a new era of leadership in biotech, combining cutting-edge research with strategic vision to drive meaningful healthcare advancements. Her academic foundation is deeply rooted in excellence. A PhD graduate in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design from the University of Toronto, Dr. Nawar's groundbreaking research has earned numerous accolades, including the University of Toronto Excellence Award and the Carl Manning Prize for her expertise in organic chemistry. Her publications on HDAC inhibitors highlight her contributions to understanding molecular interactions and their therapeutic potential, underscoring her commitment to bridging the gap between research and real-world applications. Beyond her role in biotech, Dr. Nawar is passionate about education and mentorship. As a lecturer at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, she teaches courses on organic and medicinal chemistry and the commercialization of healthcare innovations. Her dedication to fostering collaboration and inspiring the next generation of scientists reflects her belief in the transformative power of knowledge and teamwork. Dr. Nawar’s journey from a high-achieving student at The Aga Khan School in Dhaka to a global leader in biotechnology is an inspiring story of perseverance, innovation, and impact. Fluent in English, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, her ability to connect across cultures further enriches her role as a leader and collaborator. By combining her expertise in research, leadership, and education, Dr. Nawar continues to make remarkable strides in the fight against cancer and beyond. #InnovationLeadership #Biotechnology #MedicinalChemistry #WomenInSTEM #CancerResearch #Forbes30Under30 #Entrepreneurship #DrugDesign

William N. Hait | Treasurer American Association for Cancer Research Championing Innovation in Medicine: The Legacy of Dr. William N. Hait Dr. William N. Hait is a distinguished physician, scientist, and executive, whose career is defined by an unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare. Currently serving as Executive Vice President, Chief External Innovation and Medical Officer at Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Hait plays a pivotal role in leading initiatives that aim to create a "World Without Disease." His work focuses on transforming healthcare by shifting from disease management to prevention, interception, and cures—a bold vision that reflects his dedication to improving global health outcomes. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Hait has made significant contributions to both academia and industry. As the founding director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, he established a center that became a beacon of excellence in cancer research and treatment. He has held leadership roles at Yale University and Rutgers University, where he combined his expertise in medicine and pharmacology to train the next generation of medical professionals and advance oncology research. His tenure as Global Head of Research & Development at Janssen Pharmaceuticals underscores his ability to translate scientific discoveries into transformative therapies. Dr. Hait’s influence extends beyond his professional roles. He has been an active leader in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), serving as both President and Treasurer, and is a Fellow of the AACR Academy. His numerous accolades, including the Burroughs Wellcome Award in Clinical Pharmacology, highlight his remarkable contributions to the medical field. With board certifications in internal medicine and medical oncology, Dr. Hait has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient care, ensuring innovations reach those who need them most. A graduate of the Medical College of Pennsylvania, where he earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology cum laude, and the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his B.A., Dr. Hait’s academic achievements laid a strong foundation for his career. From his early days as a clinician to his current leadership at Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Hait exemplifies the integration of scientific inquiry, clinical expertise, and strategic innovation to improve health for humanity.

Christiana Bardon M.D. is a distinguished leader in the biotechnology and investment fields, serving as the Co-Managing Partner of MPM BioImpact. In this role, she spearheads the firm’s initiatives in public market investing as the portfolio manager for both BioImpact Equities and the Oncology Impact Funds, reflecting her deep expertise and commitment to advancing innovations in oncology and life sciences. Dr. Bardon began her illustrious career as an analyst at MPM BioImpact, where she laid the foundation for her specialization in biotechnology and healthcare investments. She further honed her analytical expertise as a healthcare analyst at Fidelity Investments, where she covered key areas including biotechnology, life-science tools, and diagnostics. Her profound insights and strategic acumen have positioned her as a thought leader in the intersection of healthcare and investment. In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Bardon contributes significantly to academia and the broader medical community. She serves as an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, where she engages with future leaders in healthcare innovation and strategy. She is also an esteemed member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows, where she provides strategic guidance to advance the institution's mission. Furthermore, her dedication to cancer research is evident through her role as a Trustee of the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation, underscoring her commitment to improving cancer outcomes worldwide. Dr. Bardon's academic journey is equally remarkable. She earned her M.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School, where she was recognized for her outstanding potential with a Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowship. She also completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the prestigious Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School. Complementing her medical expertise, she holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, equipping her with the business acumen necessary to drive impactful investments in healthcare. Her undergraduate education, a combined B.S. and M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), reflects her early commitment to excellence and innovation in science and technology. Dr. Bardon’s career exemplifies a unique blend of clinical expertise, investment strategy, and dedication to advancing oncology research, making her a transformative figure in the fields of biotechnology and healthcare investment. Source: mpmBioimpact

Dr Christian Itin Chief Executive Officer Autolus Therapeutics Christian Itin joined Autolus as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the inception of the company and subsequently also took on the role of Chief Executive Officer. In April 2021, a new Chairman was appointed with Christian remaining as Chief Executive Officer. Previously he was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cytos Biotechnology Ltd, a public biotechnology company that merged with Kuros Biosurgery Holding Ltd, and until May 2019 he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the merged entity, renamed Kuros Biosciences Ltd.?Prior to joining Cytos, Christian was President and Chief Executive Officer of Micromet Inc., a formerly Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company which was acquired in March 2012 by Amgen, Inc. for USD 1.2 billion in cash. Micromet pioneered T-cell engaging antibodies and with blinatumomab developed the first approved product in this field. After serving in senior management roles at Micromet, Christian was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2004. Prior to joining Micromet in 1999, Christian co-founded Zyomyx, Inc., a protein chip company based in Hayward, CA, USA. He received a diploma in biology and a PhD in cell biology from the University of Basel, Switzerland. In addition, he also performed post-doctoral research at the Biocenter of Basel University and at Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA. Source: Syncona

Dr. Judy Chou, PhD, is the President, CEO, and member of the Board of Directors of AltruBio Inc., Inc., a clinical-stage biotech company?focused on developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of immunological and inflammatory diseases. Dr. Chou has more than 25 years of experience in drug development and biomanufacturing. Before joining AltruBio she headed the global Biotech organization at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. At Bayer she oversaw the development, manufacturing, and distribution of the company’s more than $3 billion product portfolio. She also oversaw more than 2,000 employees and led the drug development and launch activities for the biologics pipeline. In addition, she also served as the site head for Bayer’s facility in Berkeley, California, the company’s largest manufacturing site in the U.S. Dr. Chou has also had leadership roles at Pfizer, Medivation Inc., Genentech, and Wyeth Biopharma. She has won several awards and, in 2018, was the recipient of the Most Influential Women in Business award by the San Francisco Business Times. She is currently an advisor at the UC Berkeley Engineering School and is working to promote diversity and inclusion through her advisory board position at Silicon Valley Women in Engineering. Dr. Chou obtained her PhD at Yale, her post-doctoral training at the Max-Planck Institute in Germany, and was a research faculty member at Harvard University Medical School focusing on cell biology and neuroscience. Source: CIRM

Mr. Richman co-founder NextCure Mr. Richman co-founded NextCure in 2015 and brings to the company more than 30 years of industry experience including operating in research, project management, intellectual property, business development, and strategic planning. Prior to founding NextCure, Mr. Richman was most recently President and Chief Executive Officer of Amplimmune, which was acquired by MedImmune/AstraZeneca in 2013, and had held that position since the company’s founding in 2007. Mr. Richman also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MacroGenics from 2002 to 2007, the Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Administration at MedImmune from 2000 to 2002, and Vice President of Business Development at MedImmune from 1996 to 2000. From 1985 to 1996, he served in various positions at Chiron (now Novartis) in business development and intellectual property. Mr. Richman also sits on public and private company Boards, including Pieris Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Richman holds a M.S.B.A. degree in International Business from San Francisco State University and a B.S. degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of California at Davis.?

Mathai Mammen, M.D., Ph.D. is a name that resonates with transformative leadership in the biopharmaceutical industry. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Dr. Mammen has carved a path of innovation and impact, focusing on the development of medicines that improve patient lives worldwide. Known for his expertise in drug discovery and development, he is currently the Chairman and CEO of Parabilis Medicines, a company dedicated to breaking new ground in the treatment of complex diseases. Dr. Mammen’s vision has been consistent: building world-class teams that blend data science, medicinal chemistry, and patient-centered innovation. His early career began with a pivotal move—founding Theravance in his late twenties, a company based on his research at Harvard University. Theravance became a leader in multivalent and multispecific therapeutics, inspired by nature's intricate molecular interactions. During his 17 years at Theravance, Following Theravance, Dr. Mammen held senior R&D roles at Merck and Johnson & Johnson (J&J), two of the largest and most influential companies in the pharmaceutical sector. At Merck, he led teams in cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology research, helping to advance promising therapies into clinical development. His work played a significant role in the success of Keytruda?, a groundbreaking PD-1 inhibitor that has transformed cancer treatment. In 2017, Dr. Mammen joined J&J as Executive Vice President of Pharmaceuticals R&D, where he transformed the R&D engine, leading the approvals of nine major medicines and expanding J&J’s portfolio with life-changing treatments. A pivotal part of Dr. Mammen’s approach is his emphasis on blending medical science with data science. At J&J, he championed the use of AI and machine learning across the organization, integrating these technologies into drug discovery and development to enhance efficiency and outcomes. Dr. Mammen’s current venture, Parabilis Medicines, represents a culmination of his career-long focus on solving complex biological problems. Parabilis is dedicated to developing therapies that target “undruggable” proteins—those elusive molecular structures that have defied conventional treatment approaches. With a unique combination of experimental and computational techniques, Parabilis is advancing its first candidate, a compound that targets beta-catenin in colorectal and other cancers with Wnt pathway mutations. Throughout his career, Dr. Mammen has been known for fostering a culture of inclusivity, creativity, and respect. His leadership style is characterized by empowering teams to take calculated risks and deliver patient-centered solutions. He believes that great innovation requires not only technical expertise but also a shared sense of purpose and belonging among team members. Dr. Mammen’s legacy is not only in the medicines he has helped bring to market but also in the people he has mentored and inspired.

John V. Oyler, founder and CEO of BeiGene, has revolutionized oncology by creating a global biotech company with a clear mission: to make cancer treatments more accessible and affordable worldwide. ?? At BeiGene, John has established an innovative model with in-house drug discovery and development, allowing the company to deliver groundbreaking therapies faster than ever before. ?? His leadership is transforming the way cancer patients can access care. BeiGene, under John’s guidance, has received regulatory approvals across 70 countries, bringing three internally developed medicines to market. ?? With a presence on five continents and a team of over 10,000, BeiGene proves that cancer knows no borders, and neither does their mission. ?? John's dedication to global access is making life-saving treatments available to more patients than ever. John’s entrepreneurial journey in biotech started long before BeiGene. Before co-founding the company, he led several ventures, including BioDuro and Galenea, demonstrating a knack for innovation and life sciences. ?? Each experience refined his expertise in drug discovery and set the stage for his work at BeiGene, where he would take oncology R&D to new heights. His leadership style focuses on collaboration and bold scientific exploration. At BeiGene, the focus is on building a team-oriented environment that fosters rapid drug discovery. ?? This collaborative culture has enabled BeiGene to remain at the cutting edge of oncology, even in an industry that constantly evolves. ?? As a board member of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, John actively contributes to shaping the future of life sciences. He advocates for policies and practices that encourage innovation in drug discovery and make therapies more accessible globally. ?? His influence goes beyond BeiGene, impacting the broader biotech landscape. John’s background in mechanical engineering from MIT, coupled with an MBA from Stanford, provides him with a unique perspective on blending technology and business. ?? This multidisciplinary knowledge enables him to approach biotech challenges with a balance of technical expertise and strategic vision. For John, BeiGene isn’t just a company; it’s a vehicle for change. His commitment to breaking down barriers in healthcare access is reshaping the way people approach cancer treatment. His work ensures that patients, regardless of their location, have access to the latest advancements. ?? As BeiGene continues to expand, John’s vision remains focused on innovation and affordability. Each drug developed brings new hope to patients, embodying his belief that every person deserves access to life-saving treatment. ?? This passion fuels BeiGene’s growth and drives their impact on a global scale.

Jeff Legos, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Oncology & Hematology Development at Novartis, has dedicated his career to advancing cancer and hematology treatments that impact patients worldwide. ?? With a strong background in pharmaceutical strategy and business planning, he is at the forefront of developing therapies that transform oncology care. ?? His work focuses on creating innovative solutions to address unmet needs in cancer treatment. Since joining Novartis, Jeff has held multiple leadership roles, consistently driving advancements in oncology R&D. As EVP, he oversees a talented global team pushing the boundaries of cancer research. His efforts contribute to Novartis’s vision of leading transformative change in oncology. ?? Jeff’s leadership has been instrumental in bringing new therapies from development to patients globally. Before Novartis, Jeff honed his skills at GSK Oncology R&D, where he served as Vice President and Medicine Development Leader. ?? There, he led strategic portfolio management and worked to streamline the development of breakthrough therapies. His experience in planning and execution within large pharmaceutical settings has set him up as a powerful force in oncology. Jeff’s background in both business and clinical development provides a well-rounded perspective that fuels his strategic approach. His business acumen, developed through his studies at Villanova University and clinical knowledge from Temple University, enables him to approach oncology challenges with a unique mix of science and strategy. ?? This foundation is key to his success in leading innovative programs at Novartis. Throughout his career, Jeff has remained focused on bridging scientific discoveries with patient-centric solutions. ??? His commitment to ensuring that promising research turns into real-world therapies has brought hope to countless patients facing cancer and hematology disorders. Novartis’s development pipeline is filled with promising therapies under his guidance. As a seasoned pharmaceutical executive, Jeff is a champion for strategic growth within the oncology field. ?? His business planning skills drive Novartis's oncology programs toward sustainable growth, balancing scientific rigor with economic viability. His expertise ensures that Novartis continues to thrive while delivering life-changing therapies to patients. Jeff’s career has been marked by a passion for oncology research and patient care. He has made significant strides in developing programs that address critical needs in cancer therapy, helping to enhance treatment options for patients around the world. ?? His commitment to impactful outcomes reflects his dedication to advancing oncology care.