Cell Therapeutics, a US company focused on developing novel cancer therapies, has appointed Steven Benner as evp and chief medical officer. Benner will lead all drug development activities at the company.
Benner was previously senior vice president and chief medical officer at OncoMed, a venture-backed biotechnology company focused on the development of cancer stem cell targeting agents. Prior to OncoMed, he was cmo at Protein Design Labs (PDL) and accountable for all development activities. Before PDL he held several senior executive roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb in global development, life cycle management, and licensing and alliances.
James Bianco, chief executive of Seattle-based Cell Therapeutics, said: ‘Dr Benner brings to CTI his proven track record of success in advancing the development of innovative therapies for cancer patients. His appointment is the first step in re-aligning our portfolio efforts, as we focus on advancing pacritinib into Phase III pivotal studies later this year.’
Pacritinib is an oral, once a day, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) to treat a variety of blood related cancers.
With Cell Therapeutics planning to launch Pixuvri (pixantrone), a novel aza-anthracenedione, in Europe later this year, Jack Singer has taken the newly created role of evp of Global Medical Affairs and Translational Medicine, responsible for cancer drug development strategy, global medical affairs, and life cycle management.
