The PharmaVoice 100: Cancer care visionaries

Oncology has come far in a short amount of time. In only a few decades, the paradigm has shifted from adding months to years to the lives of patients with even the most devastating types of cancer, and the dedication of cancer care visionaries is at the heart of those positive changes.

From checkpoint inhibitors to cell therapies to other emerging technologies on the cutting edge of innovation, the biopharma industry has devoted immeasurable effort into solving the mysteries of cancer that affect patients around the world. And from the titans of the pharma world to the small startups with bright ideas, advances in cancer care are staggering.

Oncology is also at the epicenter of biopharma as a business with blockbusters like Merck & Co.’s Keytruda and Bristol Myers Squibb’s Opdivo topping the revenue charts. Oncology companies also comprise a steady portion of the industry’s M&A prospects, like Pfizer’s $43 billion purchase of antibody-drug conjugate specialist Seagen.

The cancer care visionaries of the PharmaVoice 100 have poured time and expertise into finding better treatments for patients and, to use a word that is only recently evoked in earnest, a potential cure. These are the doctors, researchers and scientists, as well as the executives behind the scenes, who are making that happen.

Susan Abu-Absi

“Developing new ways to break through challenges is at the core of what we do. I find that exciting and addictive.” Read more ➔

Teresa Bair

“I feel privileged to work with brilliant employees and be able to tap into their thoughts, opinions and expertise to ensure that they feel valued.” Read more ➔

Richard Davidson

“Friday after my morning coffee usually provides the best opportunity to reflect on my ongoing priorities.” Read more ➔

Klaus Hoeflich

“We need new therapies with differentiated mechanisms for targets previously considered undruggable.” Read more ➔

Reshema Kemps-Polanco

“We aim to make every decision as if a patient is in the room with us because they cannot wait.” Read more ➔

David Lee

“Being a leader requires investments in smart science and smart people, and recognition of how the work we do is helping people.” Read more ➔

Dr. Alexander Marson

“The entire purpose of the Institute is to break down barriers [to innovation], so we can work together and push our biggest and boldest ideas forward for patients.” Read more ➔

Dr. Amy McKee

“As an industry, we need to make sure we’re making the kind of products patients actually want to take — products that treat the actual problems they have.” Read more ➔

Dr. Edith Perez

“I’m exhilarated about innovation every day, and that we are transforming patient care in our lifetimes.” Read more ➔

Dr. Syed Rizvi

“Cell and gene therapeutics [have] the potential to be the third leg of the stool, next to small molecules and biologics, that could impact patient needs.” Read more ➔

Dr. Zachary Roberts

“Pockets of people are now pushing the boundaries of cell therapy previously considered off limits because the science wasn’t there.” Read more ➔

Christi Shaw

“[In] fulfilling my own potential [and] realizing my own brand, [it] took time to earn trust by consistently delivering exceptional and high-quality results.” Read more ➔

Dr. David Shook

“One of my most important (and satisfying) functions is to ‘plow snow’ and create paths for people to spend as much time as possible doing the parts of their job they love.” Read more ➔

Dr. Scott Tomlins

“In 10 years, precision medicine for cancer will have moved well beyond DNA biomarkers alone.” Read more ➔