Session Abstract – PMWC 2017 Silicon Valley
Session Synopsis: Undeniably, cancer immunotherapy is one of the most promising areas in cancer research. New clinical trial approaches are under way to advance immune therapies for cancer. We will hear from both industry and medical representatives about their novel and innovative programs, which have the goal of expediting immunotherapy cancer treatments and delivering better patient outcomes.
Session Chair Profile
Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Q2 Solutions
Biography
Dr. Hugo leads the global scientific strategy and is responsible for the scientific and medical affairs for the Central Laboratories, Genomic and BioAnalytical/ADME activities. Prior to joining Q2 Solutions, Dr. Hugo was Associated Vice President Chief Scientist, Scientific Affairs Clinical Trials at Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp)/Covance, and has held several other prior senior positions such as CSO Clearstone Central Laboratories, Exec. VP R& Caprion and CSO PROCREA BioSciences. Dr. Hugo has more than 25 years of senior scientific leadership experience with extensive management expertise in lab operations, biomarker discovery and validation applied to diagnostics, therapeutic targets and clinical trials. Dr. Hugo has more than 75 scientific publications in internationally renowned journals. He also played an active role He obtained his Ph.D. at McGill University and completed 5 years of post-doctoral fellowship at the Walter Elisa Hall Institute in Australia, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Denver.
Speaker Profile
M.D., Section Head/PDT Lead SCCHN, GCD Oncology, Merck
Biography
Jon Cheng, M.D., is Executive Director, Oncology Clinical Research at Merck Research Laboratories (MRL) and is Section Head of Late Stage Malignancies. In this role, he oversees the clinical development of pembrolizumab in multiple solid organ tumors including head/neck and gastrointestinal malignancies, and provides strategic development of biomarkers for immunotherapy. Dr. Cheng joined Merck in 2008 after 11 years at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he continues to see patients as an Adjunct Professor. He had previous responsibilities at Merck developing novel combinations within the Merck pipeline, incorporating biomarkers and companion diagnostic development into clinical trials, and led a number of registrational activities.
Speaker Profile
M.D., Director of GRU Cancer Center, Augusta University
Biography
Dr. Khleif received his Medical Degree from the University of Amman in Amman, Jordon, and completed his residency at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, OH. Dr. Khleif joined the National Cancer Institute as a medical oncology fellow, becoming a senior investigator and Chief of Cancer Vaccine Section at the NCI. He also served as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, leading the Critical Path Initiative for oncology. Dr. Khleif served as the Director General and CEO of the King Hussein Cancer Center as part of an agreement between the NCI and Jordan. In 2007, Dr. Khleif was appointed, as part of a new agreement between the Health and Human Services Department/NCI and Jordan to develop this new Institute as a comprehensive cancer center and Biotechnology research hub for the Middle East. Dr. Khleif’s research interest is in identifying new and improved strategies to enhance specific immune response against cancer for preventive and therapeutic intent.
Speaker Profile
Jr., Ph.D., Group Director, Pharmacodiagnostics, Bristol-Myers Squib
Biography
Dr. Novotny is member of BMS’ Pharmacodiagnostics Center of Excellence, whose mission is to drive biomarker strategy, optimize biomarker knowledge and tools across all of R&D and execute on the integrated co-development and co-commercialization of diagnostic tests as companions to Bristol-Myers Squibb medicines. Dr. Novotny is responsible for the execution of BMS co-development collaborations for the company’s immuno-oncology pipeline. Dr. Novotny joined Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2011. Prior to his current role, he held positions at Roche Molecular Systems and worked as a consultant in the diagnostic industry. He received his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University.
