Speaker Profile
M.D., Vice President & Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology Early Development, Merck Research Laboratories
Biography
Dr. Rubin has focused on cancer drug development for over 20 years. His research efforts focused on mechanisms of resistance to DNA topoisomerase-targeting drugs and his laboratory cloned a novel topoisomerase I- and p53-interacting tumor suppressor gene, TOPORS. In 2008 Dr. Rubin was recruited to Merck as Vice-President, Oncology Clinical Research. He led the development of the antiPD-1 antibody pembrolizumab, which was the first anti-PD-1 therapy approved in the U.S., and in the identification of the significant activity of this antibody across several additional cancer types. In his current role he oversees oncology early development and translational research activities at Merck. Dr. Rubin has authored over 100 original, peer-reviewed publications and book chapters related to oncology translational research, clinical trials and drug development. He is a deputy editor for Clinical Cancer Research. Dr. Rubin obtained his medical degree from the University of South Florida and completed residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
