BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Pyxis Oncology, an immuno-oncology company focused on developing a new family of antibody-based immunotherapies derived from novel insights into the biology of the tumor microenvironment, today announced the appointment of Ronald Herbst, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer effective October 15, 2019. Dr. Herbst joins Pyxis from MedImmune, where he was Vice President of Research and Development and Head of Oncology Research.
“Dr. Herbst brings a remarkable record of achievement to the role of Chief Scientific Officer at Pyxis Oncology, including most recently delivering 10 novel targets to the clinic in the areas of immunotherapy and antibody drug conjugates,” said David Steinberg, Chief Executive Officer, Co-founder and Director, Pyxis Oncology. “With over 20 years of research leadership at MedImmune, Schering-Plough Biopharma and DNAX, Ronald also brings a deeply strategic approach to cancer research. His focus on developing immunotherapies will help accelerate our antibody development programs aimed at newly discovered immuno-oncology targets. On behalf of all us at Pyxis, I welcome Dr. Herbst to our team of innovators.”
“Pyxis is taking an entirely new approach to immuno-oncology based on over two decades of research by Dr. Tom Gajewski on the role of T cells in the body’s defense against cancer,” said Dr. Ronald Herbst. “I believe this approach has the potential to fundamentally change our understanding of how to restore activity to dysfunctional T cells. I look forward to applying this insight to develop a pipeline of antibodies that can hopefully improve cancer treatment, particularly for those patients with limited therapeutic options.”
Prior to joining Pyxis, Dr. Herbst was Vice President, Research & Development and Head of Oncology Research at MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca, where he served as Chair of the Oncology Research Committee and a member of the MedImmune Research Leadership Team. Under his leadership, the oncology group brought 10 novel targets to the clinic in the areas of immunotherapy and antibody drug conjugates. Prior to that, Ronald focused on the company’s respiratory, inflammation and autoimmunity efforts, where he led the advancement of four novel molecules into the clinic, including one that is under registration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Before joining MedImmune, Ronald was Senior Principal Investigator in oncology at DNAX, a Schering-Plough biotechnology subsidiary.
Dr. Herbst conducted his postdoctoral research in the Department of Biology at Stanford University. He obtained his Ph.D. at the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, with research conducted at the Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Axel Ullrich’s Laboratory. Dr. Herbst has (co)-authored more than 100 publications and is co-inventor on 17 pending or granted patents.