Greetings from San Diego! We are here covering the Myeloma 2018 meeting. This meeting of 200 top myeloma scientists happens yearly in different locations, and MMRF is here to bring you the highlights. On day 1, there were several interesting sessions. The meeting opened with a presentation by Dr. Jonathan Keats of the Translational Genomics Institute (TGen) on highlights from the MMRF CoMMpass Study, now the largest genomic dataset in all of cancer. Dr. Keats presented findings from the latest CoMMpass data analysis. For more information on the latest findings, see our latest blog post here. Blood Biopsies in Myeloma Next were several presentations on progress made in development of several different techniques that may be used to assess myeloma instead of bone marrow biopsies.
Suzanne Trudel of Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto and Jens Lohr of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston spoke on a technique that measures how much myeloma is present in a patient by detecting tumor DNA from a simple blood sample. This work has been supported by the MMRF. The technique has been under development for several years and hopefully will soon replace the bone marrow biopsy in many instances. The advantages of this technique include:
Reduced discomfort and risk for patients
More frequent sampling can be easily done, allowing your doctor to follow your disease more closely
Since the test measures tumor DNA that is circulating throughout the body, it is possibly a more accurate measurement of disease burden than a bone marrow biopsy, which measures myeloma cells only in one place
Patient who enroll in and submit their blood samples through the MMRF CureCloud patient registry, which is currently in beta testing and will be open to patients later this fall, will benefit from this technique
Angela Dispenzieri of the Mayo Clinic Rochester MN spoke on a new method of detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in blood using the mass spectrometry technique, which measures free light chains. This technique is currently in use at Mayo for routine isotyping (determining if the myeloma light chain type is kappa or lambda) from blood or urine samples and will soon replace the SPEP test, as it is more sensitive and more accurate. The test can also detect 1 myeloma cell in 100,000 cells, which makes it a good alternative to the already available MRD test methods of next generation sequencing and flow cytometry
MMRF Senior VP of Research Daniel Auclair, PhD, closed the session with a discussion of the upcoming precision medicine trial, called MyDRUG, which will begin enrolling patients later this fall. The trial will enable patients to have their genome sequenced, and they will be treated with a triplet standard of care regimen plus a targeted agent specific to certain actionable mutations if they are found. More information on this ground-breaking trial for myeloma patients will be coming soon!
High Risk Myeloma The next session brought a presentation by Anjun Thakurta of Celgene on a new definition of high risk myeloma termed “double hit”, which was discovered using CoMMpass Study data and which was recently published. Learn more about this exciting new finding here. The morning ended with a spirited group discussion of progress so far on precision medicine in myeloma. While there have been several very small studies showing that agents that target specific DNA mutations, such as braf/RAS and FGFR3, can be effective in achieving remission in myeloma, the group agreed that it is very early days for this type of therapy, and much more work needs to be done to prove the utility of such an approach. Providing more of this data and advancing the use of precision medicine in myeloma is the purpose of the MMRF MyDRUG trial (see above). New Targets in Myeloma The afternoon sessions began with a discussion of new targets in myeloma. Dr. Ken Anderson of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute spoke on several very new and promising targets and therapies which are in the exploratory stage.
One new approach is to vaccinate patients with BCMA, which is a protein found on myeloma cells. This may allow the immune system to detect and kill myeloma cells. Most CAR-T approaches, such as bb2121, also target BCMA.
A target called PRMT5 is a protein that is strongly expressed in myeloma patients and is a sign of poor prognosis. A new PRMT5 inhibitor called EPZ015666 has shown promise in mouse models of myeloma and this compound may soon move into clinical trials.
Dr. Keith Stewart of Mayo Clinic Scottsdale AZ spoke on his drug-screening platform, where myeloma cells taken from patients are tested in the lab using 500 different drugs to determine which drug may be most effective for treatment. This is work that MMRF has supported since its inception and continues to support.
To date 125 patient samples have been tested.
The patients also have their genomes sequenced, and the data is examined to see if there is a correlation between genomic changes and drug sensitivity.
One drug, APY0201, was effective at very low doses in some patients. The target of drug, PIKfyve, has been investigated in B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma and inhibitors have been effective in some of those patients.
Investigation into this new target will continue, and Dr. Stewart hopes to move PIKfyve inhibitors into the clinic soon to be tested in myeloma patients. MGUS/SMM Session The final session of the day centered around early myeloma, discussing what we know about treating MGUS/SMM patients and how effective these treatments are in preventing progression of early disease to full-blown myeloma. Dr. Elisbet Manasanch of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Dallas TX, who is an investigator in our MMRF Prevention Projectgave an overview of the subject and several ongoing clinical trials:
The early Quiridex trial where SMM patients were treated with Revlimid/dex vs observation, showed a clear improvement in progression free survival in treated patients
Another recent trial where SMM patients were treated with 8 cycles of Kyprolis/Revlimid/dex and received 2 years of Revlimid maintenance, is also showing good results, but the trial has not reached its endpoint yet
A more recent trial PhII trial called Centaurus treated 123 SMM patients with Darzalex for differing periods of time; patients on longer periods of therapy (20 8-week cycles) showed better response than those on a shorter period of therapy (one 8 week cycle)
The GEM-CESAR study in high risk SMM tested a regimen of KRd induction followed by stem cell transplant and Rd maintenance in 90 patients. 94% of these patients had not progressed at 28 months after beginning therapy
There is a new personalized vaccine program in the very early stages , where myeloma cells are removed from SMM patients and sequenced to determine genomic changes; this data is used to produce a personalized vaccine for each patients which is administered once a month for 6 months. Results in this study are still pending.
Clearly the benefits of early treatment (delay of symptomatic disease, possibility of cure) must be weighed against the risks (toxicity, cost, possibility of overtreatment). Tune in again tomorrow for more results from Myeloma 2018! Return to MMRF Blog.
Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) Criteria
Stage
Criteria
I
ß2-M less than or equal to 3.5mg/L and albumin greater than or equal to 3.5 g/dL
Absence of higher-risk DNA abnormalities
Normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
II
Not Stage I or III
III
ß2-M greater than or equal to 5.5mg/L and either
Presence of higher-risk DNA abnormalities or
High LDH
ß2-M = beta2-microglobulin
Higher-risk DNA abnormalities include del(17p) and/or translocation (t4;14) and/or translocation (14;16)
LDH = lactate dehydrogenase
Measuring your prognosis
Test
Indication
Values Indicating a More Favorable Prognosis
Beta 2-microglobulin (β2-microglobulin or β2-M)
Higher levels reflect more extensive disease and poor kidney function.
<3.5 mg/mL
Albumin level
Higher levels may indicate better prognosis.
≥3.5 g/dL
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level
Higher levels indicate more extensive disease.
Age ≤60yrs.: 100-190 U/L
Age >60yrs.: 110-210 U/L
Freelite® serum free light chain assay
Abnormal results may indicate poor prognosis (also indicates risk of progression of MGUS or asymptomatic myeloma to symptomatic myeloma).
Contact the MMRF with any questions or comments—whether you are a patient, caregiver, researcher or clinician, we are always glad to hear from you.
By filling out this form you are agreeing to receiving MMRF communications. You may unsubscribe at any time via your email.
Revised International Staging System for multiple myeloma
Stage
Criteria
I
ß2-M<3.5mg/L and albumin ≥3.5 g/dL and
Absence of high-risk DNA abnormalitiesaand
Normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
I
Not Stage I or III
III
ß2-M≥5.5mg/L and
Presence of high-risk DNA abnormalitiesaor
High LDH
ß2-M = beta2-microglobulin
aHigh-risk DNA abnormalities include del(17p) and/or translocation t(4;14) and/or translocation t(14;16)
Measuring your prognosis
Test
Indication
Values Indicating a More Favorable Prognosis
Beta 2-microglobulin
(β2-microglobulin or β2-M)
Higher levels reflect more extensive disease and poor kidney function
<3 mg/mL
Albumin level
Higher levels may indicate better prognosis
≥3.5 g/dL
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level
Higher levels indicate more extensive disease
Age ≤60yrs.: 100-190 U/L
Age >60yrs.: 110-210 U/L
Albumin level
Higher levels may indicate better prognosis
≥3.5 g/dL
FreeliteTM serum free light chain assay
Abnormal results may indicate poor prognosis (also indicates risk of progression of MGUS or asymptomatic myeloma or symptomatic myeloma
Free light chain ratio MGUS: 0.26-1.65
Asymptomatic myeloma:0.125-8.0
Symptomatic myeloma:0.03-32
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Weekly COVID-19 Updates for Patients
To keep multiple myeloma patients informed on the latest updates during the COVID-19 pandemic, Drs. Hearn Jay Cho, Saad Z. Usmani, and Zainab Shahid are leading eight weekly 30-minute webcasts. Each webcast will focus on a specific topic and feature guest speakers to present important information and address questions and concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: You only need to register once to be able to participate in any (or all!) of the eight webcasts.
Topics include:
Basics of COVID-19 disease (testing, treatment, and trials)
Preventative measures
Impact on treatment for newly diagnosed myeloma patients (for example, transplant deferment)
Impact on treatment for relapsed patients and clinical trial availability
Supportive care measures for patients (including bone health, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, vaccinations, and more)
Social support, institutional, regional, and national foundations
COVID-19 database and specimen collection efforts
Personal perspectives on COVID-19 infection
Join us every Tuesday from June 2nd - July 21st at 6:00PM EDT
High impact topic videos, or HITs, are videos that use engaging animations and narration to present information on topics of importance to myeloma patients and their caregivers. Presented in a patient-friendly manner and viewable on iPads, tablets, and smartphones, these HITs bring to life and explain concepts that can sometimes be difficult for patients and caregivers to understand.
The MMRF wishes to thank the following reviewers and contributors to these HITs: Craig Emmitt Cole, MD; Ola Landgren, MD, PhD; Louise Miller Lavin, BSN, MSN, LPCC; Joshua Richter, MD; Nina Shah, MD.
Understand how your immune system interacts with your myeloma, and how new immunotherapies are helping patients’ immune systems recognize and destroy myeloma cells.
This video provides information on laboratory tests that myeloma patients may undergo. Learn about why and how the tests are done and what the results mean.
Patient Summits
Program Chair(s)
Date
Location of Event
Larry D. Anderson, Jr., MD, PhD Ankit Kansagra, MD
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Michael Reinert
Partner Fox Rothschild LLP
Michael Reinert is a leading music industry attorney who most recently served as Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for the Universal Motown Republic Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. In that position, he had the pleasure of working with great talent such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Amy Winehouse, Lil Wayne, Nelly, Jack Johnson and many other platinum selling acts.
Prior to joining Universal ten years ago, Michael was the Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs for PolyGram Records, handling those duties for the legendary Verve Records label and Mercury Nashville Records where he worked with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Shania Twain. Michael started his career in private practice representing many artists, producers and writers before joining the corporate ranks.
Michael was an Adjunct Professor of Law at his alma mater, The Benjamin Cardozo School of Law of Yeshiva University, for ten years teaching Contract Drafting and Negotiation in the Music Industry. He has been a contributing editor to the Practicing Law Institute volumes on the same subject and continues to lecture at various schools and seminars around the country.
He currently serves as the Chairman of the Entertainment Law Initiative of the Grammy Foundation, a division of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which focuses on legal education programs for aspiring entertainment attorneys.
Michael attended the Horace Mann School for Boys in Riverdale and Tulane University in New Orleans, a place he considers his second home. He lives in Manhattan with his wife of 30 years, Karen. They have a daughter and two beautiful grandchildren.
Rodger Riney
Former CEO and Founder Scottrade
Rodger Riney grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri with a Civil Engineering degree and an MBA.
In 1969, he joined Edward D. Jones & Co. in Saint Louis and later became a partner. In 1980, he left to enter the relatively new discount brokerage industry by starting Scottrade. Over the years, Scottrade evolved into an online brokerage and bank supporting its 3 million clients through 500 branch offices nationwide.
In the fall of 2015, Rodger was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and in late 2017, Scottrade was sold to TD Ameritrade.
Steven Shak, MD
Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Officer Genomic Health
Dedicated to optimizing cancer treatment outcomes and bringing the patient voice into product development, Steve Shak, M.D. has served as the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Genomic Health since 2012, and was the Chief Medical Officer from 2000 – 2013. Under Steve’s leadership Genomic Health used innovative molecular diagnostic methods and rigorous clinical studies to develop the Oncotype DX® breast cancer and colon cancer assays and has maintained an 80% product development success rate. Steve has been a leader in personalized medicine for more than two decades.
Prior to co-founding Genomic Health in 2000, Steve served for 14 years in various roles in Discovery Research and Medical Affairs at Genentech, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to using human genetic information to discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize medicines to treat patients with serious or life-threatening medical conditions. Steve led the clinical team that gained approval for Herceptin®, a targeted biologic treatment for breast cancer. He also initiated the cancer clinical trials of the anti-angiogenesis agent, Avastin®.
In addition, Steve discovered Pulmozyme®, a mucus-dissolving enzyme that is approved worldwide for the treatment of the genetic disease cystic fibrosis.
Prior to joining Genentech, Steve was an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology at New York University School of Medicine.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Amherst College and an M.D. from New York University School of Medicine, and completed his post-doctoral training at University of California, San Francisco.
Meryl Zausner
Former Chief Financial Officer Novartis Corporation
Meryl Zausner has over 35 years of management experience across the pharmaceutical and consumer products industries. Meryl was instrumental in creating the blueprint for the successful Novartis Oncology Business Unit and engineering the launch of the first Novartis shared services organization. A recognized developer of diverse talent, The Healthcare Businesswomen Association honored Meryl with its prestigious Woman of the Year Award.
For much of her corporate career, Meryl worked at Novartis AG, the Swiss pharmaceuticals company, in roles of increasing responsibility across diversified businesses. From April 2012 through 2014, Meryl was Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in the US, and a member of the Pharmaceutical Executive Committee and Global Finance Leadership Team. While in this role, Meryl also resumed responsibility as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Novartis Corporation in the US.
Acknowledging her strong leadership and broad achievements, Novartis selected Meryl to train and serve as a certified Executive Coach to senior executives, a position she held from May 2015 until her retirement at the end of June 2017. She has a BS in Economics and Accounting from the University at Albany and her CPA.
Meryl is a Board member and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, and Board member of Deirdre’s House, an advocacy center for children who are victims of abuse or neglect. Former board positions include HBA Advisory Board, PhRMA Audit and Finance Subcommittee member, and the T.J. Martell
Foundation. PharmaVoice magazine recognized Meryl among its Most Inspiring, and she received Gilda Club’s Red Door Honoree. Meryl resides with her husband in Naples, Florida and Long Branch, New Jersey.
Sarah Coulter
RN, OCN
Sarah has been a registered nurse for the past five years, specializing in Hematology Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant. She has spent over ten years in the Oncology field and started her career at Yale New Haven Hospital. Over the last three years, Sarah worked as a traveling nurse in California, South Carolina, Florida, Texas and Maryland. She earned her nursing degree from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing. She is chemotherapy certified and is currently in school to obtain her master’s degree in nursing education.
Kristen Donadio
RN, BSN
Kristen has been a registered nurse for a little over 20 years. She spent the last 18 of those years working at the John Theurer Cancer Center (JTCC) in various nursing positions in both the Myeloma and Bone Marrow transplant clinics. Her last 2 years at JTCC were spent as the Administrative Supervisor of the Myeloma Division. She graduated from Stockton University with a degree in Public Health Administration, followed by an Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and she holds a certification in chemotherapy/biotherapy/immunotherapy administration. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in Healthcare Administration.
Greg Rubenstein - Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Greg Rubenstein is the VP of Marketing & Communications at the MMRF, where he leads all brand marketing strategy and execution in support of the organization.
Prior to joining the MMRF, Greg spent the majority of his career working for Advertising firms like Grey NY, Saatchi & Saatchi, FCB Health, and Deutsch -- servicing clients across a wide variety of sectors, including Healthcare, Technology, Financial Services, and Consumer Packaged Goods. He has brought to market countless products and campaigns over nearly 20 years, including high-profile healthcare launches in Vaccines and Women’s Health. In 2013 he joined a technology startup called Vettery, where he helped to launch the brand and all of its communications while serving as the company’s Chief Client Officer & lead brand strategist.
Greg is a graduate of Cornell University, with a B.S. in Psychology & Human Development. He resides in Irvington, NY with his wife and two sons.
Mindy Flinn, MBA – Vice President of Development
Mindy Flinn joined the MMRF in May 2020 as the Vice President of Development where she works with a talented team raising philanthropic support for the organization. She brings over 23 years of development experience to this position. Ms. Flinn spent over a decade in development at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and in Jacksonville, FL, where she oversaw the stewardship of top-level benefactors and served as a major gift officer. She also worked for the LIVESTRONG Foundation in Austin, TX as a major gift officer and was Director of Philanthropic Resources at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Prior to joining the MMRF, she was Senior Director of Development at Yale School of Medicine. Ms. Flinn received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bethel University and a Master of Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University. Her additional accomplishments include successfully climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2012 as a member of Survivor Summit and skydiving.
Grace Allison
RN, BSN, OCN, RN-BC
Grace has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She spent the last 28 years working at one of the largest myeloma programs in the U.S., the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). She was fortunate to have spent her career at UAMS under the tutelage of one of the most well known myeloma physicians, Dr. Bart Barlogie. She received her nursing education in Ireland, and completed a bachelor’s of nursing degree at the University of Arkansas. She is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and a nationally Oncology Certified Nurse. She is also a board certified medical-surgical registered nurse (RN-BC).
Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD - Chief Medical Officer
Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD joined the MMRF as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Dr. Cho is responsible for developing the MMRF’s clinical research strategy and accelerating drug development programs as well as for leading the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), a group of 25 leading research centers dedicated to researching and advancing treatment options for multiple myeloma patients.
Hearn Jay Cho is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai and an Attending Physician with the Multiple Myeloma Service at the Mt. Sinai Tisch Cancer Institute. Dr. Cho’s laboratory is investigating novel therapies for multiple myeloma in two areas.
First, they are investigating immunologic therapies with a focus on using cutting edge genomic and immunologic assays to map the interaction between myeloma and the immune system in the tumor microenvironment. These projects illuminate the mechanisms of action of novel immune therapies in both laboratory models and clinical trials and will inform the design of rational combinations. This program has a special focus on immunologic therapy in the setting of autologous stem cell transplantation for myeloma.
Second, Dr. Cho’s group discovered that two of the type I Melanoma Antigen GEnes (MAGE), MAGE-A3 and MAGE-C1, are commonly expressed in multiple myeloma and are correlated with progression of disease and proliferation. They demonstrated that type I MAGE plays a critical role in conferring resistance to chemotherapy and inhibition of apoptosis in myeloma cells through regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins and the tumor suppressor p53. Dr. Cho’s group is conducting biochemical and structural studies to identify novel pharmacologic strategies for inhibition of type I MAGE activity in myeloma.
Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., MBA
President and CEO Carol A. Ammon Foundation
Marie E. Pinizzotto, M.D., MBA is currently the President and CEO of the Carol A. Ammon Foundation, a foundation focused on health care and education. Prior to running the foundation she was president of Drug Safety Solutions, L.L.C., a Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management consulting company whose main focus was narcotics and other high-risk drugs. Dr. Pinizzotto also worked at Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. where she was Senior Director of the Global Safety and Pharmacovigilance department. In this role she was responsible for pharmacovigilance of all Endo products, marketed and investigational. Marie was also responsible for the safety components in the following disciplines; Clinical Research, Medical Affairs and Clinical Education and Development. She led the Risk Management Team and was responsible for the creation and implementation of Endo’s risk management programs.
Before working at Endo, she was a Senior Director of Report Evaluation and Safety Surveillance for the Women’s Health Division and Consumer Products at Wyeth. She was responsible for drug safety and the pharmacovigilnce of Wyeth products.
Dr. Pinizzotto received her B.S. in Chemistry, magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia (Now Sidney Kimell College of Medicine). She completed her residency at The Medical Center of Delaware (now Christiana Care), where she practiced obstetrics and gynecology. Most recently, Dr. Pinizzotto earned her MBA at the University of Delaware.
Currently Dr. Pinizzotto is the named Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Christiana Care Hospital, Newark, Delaware, and is also a trustee of the hospital. She is a member of the finance committee and was a member of the Quality and Safety Committee. In addition, she is a board member at Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, California, and also sits on the quality improvement committee. At Eisenhower she is named Chair; The Marie E. Pinizzotto, MD Chair of Academic Affairs. Dr Pinizzotto is also a director, The Carol A. Ammon Foundation and The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. In addition, she participates on the following advisory boards: Scientific Steering Committee on Personalized Medicine for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, the Presidents Leadership Council of the University of Delaware, the Presidents Leadership Council at Jefferson Medical College, and the Advisory Board of Myeloma Institute at the University of Arkansas Medical System. In addition, she is one of the founding members of the MGH Leadership Council for Psychiatry at Massachusetts General.
David R. Parkinson, MD
Chairman of the Clinical Advisory Board Zyngenia. Inc.
From 2007 until 2012, Dr. Parkinson served as President and CEO of Nodality, a South San Francisco-based venture-financed biotechnology company developing technologies to enable personalized medicine and more efficient drug development in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Before joining Nodality, Dr. Parkinson was Senior Vice President, Oncology R&D, at Biogen Idec, overseeing oncology discovery research efforts and the development of the oncology pipeline. Previously he had served tenures as Vice President and Head of the Oncology Therapeutic Area at Amgen and Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Oncology Development at Novartis. During his tenures at Amgen and Novartis, Dr. Parkinson was responsible for clinical development activities leading to a series of successful global drug registrations for important cancer therapeutics, including Gleevec®, Femara®, Zometa®, Kepivance®, and Vectibix®.
He received his M.D. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1977, with Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology training at McGill University and at New England Medical Center. Dr. Parkinson has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and is a past Chairman of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Biologics Advisory Committee as well as a recipient of the FDA’s Cody Medal.
Christopher Williams - Vice President of Business Development
Christopher Williams was named Vice President of Business Development at the MMRF in 2017, responsible for business development, partnership and joint venture efforts for the foundation. He is a business development leader with a strong scientific background, specializing in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics space. Most recently he served as the VP of Business Development at WaveSense where he was in charge of their US commercialization strategy and product expansion, as well as being responsible for overseeing their strategic partner relationships.
Previously Chris was VP of Business Development at SkylineDx, providing commercialization strategy for their oncology portfolio. With PerkinElmer, as the Market Segment Leader in Oncology, he had responsibility for their cancer diagnostic products including strategy, launch activities, external presentations and marketing execution.
While at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Chris held roles in the Protein Science, Technology Development and Proteomics groups. He also had scientific roles at Schering-Plough and the Sandoz Research Institute.
Chris holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Microbiology/Molecular Biology and Protein Biochemistry from Clemson University.
Steve Varley - Vice President, Development
Steve Varley joined the MMRF team in 2018 and is responsible for the fundraising efforts of the organization. Most recently he served as Associate Dean for Advancement at Yale University, leading the fundraising efforts for Yale School of Nursing. Previously he worked as the Vice President for Advancement at Gardner-Webb University where he organized and successfully executed the University’s most recent capital campaign. Steve received a BS degree from Chowan University and holds an MBA from Gardner-Webb University.
Laura Gilman - Vice President of Events
Laura Gilman is the Vice President of Events at the MMRF where she manages the entire events portfolio. Prior to joining the MMRF in 2010 Ms. Gilman was the Vice President of Citigroup’s Investment Research Conferences where she directed the design and execution of the bank’s high profile research conferences and events. Before joining Citigroup, Ms. Gilman was the Director of Meetings, Client Relations and Incentives at Victoria’s Secret Beauty. She began her career at Morgan Stanley managing the bank’s IPO Roadshows. Ms. Gilman has over 20 years of experience designing and executing events and initiatives that generate revenue. She received her B.A. in English Literature from the Catholic University of America and lives in Westport, CT with her husband and son.
Karen Dietz, JD, MBA - General Counsel and Secretary
Karen Dietz is General Counsel and Secretary for the MMRF. Karen joined the MMRF as Corporate Counsel and Secretary in 2007. She manages corporate governance, contract negotiations, compliance, and intellectual property for the MMRF and its subsidiary companies. In recent years, Karen has focused her efforts on the contracts and compliance for the MMRF CoMMpassSM Study, the MMRF Prevention Project, the MMRF Immunotherapy Initiative, and the MMRF CureCloud®. Additionally, Karen has concentrated efforts on optimizing the governance structure of the MMRF’s subsidiary companies: the Myeloma Investment Fund (MIF) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC). Karen has worked with the consortium sites and pharma companies to launch over 80 clinical trials including the first-ever myeloma platform trial, MMRC MyDRUG™. Karen earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence and her Masters of Business Administration from Western New England University. Karen earned her Bachelor of Science in Justice and Law Administration from Western Connecticut State University.
Anne Quinn Young, MPH - Chief Marketing and Development Officer
Anne Quinn Young, MPH, is the Chief Marketing and Development Officer at the MMRF and is responsible for overseeing the strategy and execution of the organization’s marketing, communications, patient engagement, and fundraising efforts in support of the organization’s mission to accelerate precision medicine and a cure for every patient.
Anne has been named to the PharmaVoice 100, and represents the MMRF on a number of working groups and committees including the Direct-to-Patient (DTP) solutions team at the Harvard Business School (HBS) Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator and the Cancer Support Community Frankly Speaking About Cancer: Multiple Myeloma National Advisory Board. She has co-authored a number of peer-reviewed abstracts and publications on the MMRF Precision Medicine Model and identifying knowledge gaps and opportunities to improve patient empowerment and engagement in optimizing their own outcomes.
Prior to joining the MMRF in 2002, she was a consultant in the Healthcare Practice of Datamonitor, a global market research and business intelligence company. She previously worked in healthcare public relations at Burson-Marsteller and the Chandler Chicco Agency, following a postgraduate internship at the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division. Anne has a Masters of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University and graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts in Government.
Rob Miani - Chief Financial Officer
Rob Miani joined the MMRF team as Chief Financial Officer in 2016. Most recently he was the Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller of Aptuit, LLC, a global contract research organization providing integrated early discovery to mid-phase drug development services in the pharmaceutical industry. Rob has over 20 years of leadership experience in the private and public sectors, holding managerial positions in the renewable energy, private equity, Internet and technology industries, including Davenport Newberry, Oak Investment Partners and INT Media Group. He began his career with Arthur Anderson LLP in the Assurance and Business Advisory Services Division. Rob is a CPA and received his BS degree in Accounting from Fairfield University.
Steven Labkoff, MD, FACP, FACMI - Chief Data Officer
Dr. Steven Labkoff is the Chief Data Officer at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Dr. Labkoff is a global medical leader with a track record of developing cutting edge strategies towards new healthcare delivery models. He has demonstrated success in the convergence of medicine, life sciences and policy across disparate organizations including government, non-government organizations (NGOs), health plans and academic institutions. He joined the MMRF after a 25-year career in healthcare informatics for the Life Science Industry where he worked on a wide array of issues ranging from the secondary uses of healthcare data for Life Sciences, health information technology policy, Big Data and analytics and medical affairs. He was most recently Executive Director, Medical Strategy at Purdue Pharma. In that role he led Purdue’s Big Data initiative as well as medical strategy for both pipeline and inline products. Prior to Purdue he was Vice President of Life Sciences at Intelligent Medical Objects focused on leveraging medical vocabularies, ontologies, and terminologies for Life Science customers.
From 2011-2014 he was Executive Director, R&D Informatics and Head of Strategic Programs in AstraZeneca’s Research & Development Information Department where he led groups on Real World Evidence and Payer Evidence, Personalized Medicine and Biomarkers and Clinical Trials Design and Interpretation, dedicated to leveraging healthcare data for the development of ethical pharmaceuticals.
Previously, Dr. Labkoff was an instructor of Medicine and Medical Informatics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Medical Informatics where he focused on the uses of point-of-care computing and mHealth. He did his cardiology training at the University for Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, his medical training at the University of Pittsburgh and at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Medical Informatics, and an executive board member of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Randi S.
51, from Fort Lauderdale, FL Initially Diagnosed: 2016 Current Diagnosis: Relapsed, Refractory Treatment Received: SCT, Cytoxan, Revlimid, Velcade
Upon Randi’s diagnosis, she conducted an abundance of research and tried to keep an optimistic mindset. She decided to pursue the treatment plan that had a more holistic approach, and if it came to a point in which she needed a transplant, she wanted to pick the environment that felt the most nurturing. Randi knew that there were many steps and lifestyle changes that she had to make towards her healing. Her diagnosis affected her in medicinal, environmental, holistic, mental, personal and spiritual ways. She continues to maintain her super healthy lifestyle and practices good dietary habits. It was difficult for Randi to believe that she had cancer, as she had to learn to recreate herself and was grateful to be alive. Randi is very active in the multiple myeloma community and participates in races all over the country. She told her doctors that she was willing to do her homework to propose to them ways in which she could slowly return to participating (to a certain degree) in some of her active hobbies and most importantly, she has learned to listen to her body.
Ethan H.
28, from Worcester, MA Initially Diagnosed: 2013 Current Diagnosis: In Remission, Multiple myeloma with solitary plasmacytoma Treatment Received: Radiation, Bone replacement, SCT, VRD, Ninlaroe
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma seven years ago at the age of 22. It started with pain in my hip that was quickly diagnosed as cancer. I understand the disruption to “normalcy” that a multiple myeloma diagnosis may have caused for you. I’ve made it my mission to make a difference for others dealing with this disease. This time period can be filled with uncertainty, but the thing that has always helped, whether it was the day of the diagnosis or currently, is the importance of having people in your life that are there for you.
Casey Joe W.
36, from Acworth, GA Initially Diagnosed: 2008 Current Diagnosis: In Remission Treatment Received: Bone replacement, SCT, Velcade, Revlimid, Ninlaro
I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma when I was 26 years old. I was a bit lost at first because I was very young when I received this diagnosis, but I soon realized that everyone experiences it differently. Since my diagnosis, I’ve had to cut back on a lot of physical things I used to do, like exercising. I’ve learned how to manage my energy and put it towards things that matter most to me. I am very motivated to share my experiences with others battling this disease and hope to empower other patients during their journey.
Craig C.
58, from Alamo, CA Initially Diagnosed: 2014 Current Diagnosis: Relapsed, Refractory Treatment Received: Radiation, SCT, CAR-T, VRD, Pomalyst, Darzalex
I have been married for 35 years, with two grown sons ages 29 and 26 and am fortunate to have a very strong support system. I feel that the biggest challenge is adapting to a label of being a cancer patient. I stay positive with all the things I am able to do and love such as cooking, painting, drawing, snow skiing and cycling.
Craig C.
Patti B.
58, from Boulder, CO Initially Diagnosed: 2012 Current Diagnosis: Smoldering
Patti has smoldering myeloma and had no signs or symptoms of her disease when she was diagnosed. During her annual physical her bloodwork came back abnormal, so her physician ordered further testing. Patti is now in a study where some of the smoldering patients receive Revlimid for treatment and the remaining patients remain under observation without treatment. The test is to see if the medication will help eradicate the smoldering Multiple Myeloma. As a result of the study, Patti now gets blood tests every month and every year she will get a PET scan and bone biopsy to keep an eye on the status of her Multiple Myeloma.
Tricia C.
59, from Rocky Hill, CT Initially Diagnosed: 2014 Current Diagnosis: In Remission Treatment Received: SCT, RVD, IVIG, Clinical Trial Participant
In 2005, Tricia was dealing with extreme fatigue. Her primary care physician ordered routine bloodwork and found that she was severely anemic. She was then sent to a local hematologist who did a bone marrow biopsy. At this time she was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma after receiving a second opinion. It wasn’t until 2014 that she was diagnosed with active Multiple Myeloma. Tricia participates in MMRF events in hopes of furthering multiple myeloma research. She enjoys sharing her personal experience with other myeloma patients and is looking forward to helping others understand this disease better and find resources for them that will help with their personal myeloma journey.
Anna Marie K.
54, from Norwalk, CT Initially Diagnosed: Husband JP in 2014 Current Diagnosis: Relapsed, Refractory
My husband, JP, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma six years ago at the age of 48. We do whatever we can to support the MMRF and to keep a positive mindset about our situation. It has been a journey from day one, but I feel we are confident going forward. I’m thrilled to be at this point in our lives to be able to help others. I’m so appreciative of the help we’ve received, and I’m grateful for this opportunity because we understand how this journey with multiple myeloma can be overwhelming.
Carmen P.
52, from Little Silver, NJ Initially Diagnosed: 2002 Current Diagnosis: Relapsed, Refractory Treatment Received: Tandem SCT, Allogenic SCT, RVD, Clinical Trial Participant
Carmen’s experience leading up to her diagnosis was unique in that she did not present any symptoms and was diagnosed via pre-pregnancy bloodwork. It revealed that she had low platelets and was anemic. At the time, Carmen was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma, as she did not meet the criteria to be diagnosed with active multiple. Carmen’s multiple myeloma status continued to be smoldering for a total of 8 years until December 2010. Carmen strives to stay positive and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. She has persevered and embraces the changes that her diagnosis has caused in her life.
Andrew G.
67, from Harrisburg, PA Initially Diagnosed: 2013 Current Diagnosis: In Remission Treatment Received: SCT, RVD, Revlimid for maintenance
Andrew’s biggest challenge after receiving his diagnosis was educating himself on this disease. His healthcare team embraced his determination to educate himself, which gave him additional confidence in his doctors. Andrew has kept a positive outlook and is self-motivating. One motivating factor he had was retirement; although, he only wanted to semi-retire. He remains an active grandfather to his two young grandsons and helps his daughter by babysitting them. He feels that his multiple myeloma journey has made him a better person in that he is more compassionate and understanding.
Jessie D.
54, from Vermillion, SD Initially Diagnosed: 2016 Current Diagnosis: Smoldering Treatment Received: None at this time
Jessie is determined to not let her diagnosis define her and dominate her life; therefore, she has taken control of the situation by continuing her research and education on her diagnosis and learning the importance of practicing self-awareness and self-advocacy for her own health. She has become dedicated in her efforts to incorporate being health-conscious in her lifestyle. Prior to her diagnosis, Jessie’s sense of self was connected to her career. Now, she's revisiting this and learning how to reinvent herself and the lifestyle she plans to lead.
Jeffery G.
59, from Chicago, IL Initially Diagnosed: 2010 Current Diagnosis: Relapsed, Refractory Treatment Received: Tandem SCT, Ninlaro, Revlimid, Velcade, Pomalyst, Darzalex
Jeffery stresses the importance of staying motivated and positive. He manages his lifestyle and nutrition to do what he can to have a full and active life. He is determined to continue his active hobbies. Before and after his diagnosis, he has continued to participate in his hobbies as a marathon runner, hunter, fisherman, and hiker. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro earlier this year and is taking a summer vacation with his wife to Montana to backpack and hike. Doing the things he loves helps him feel empowered against his disease. He also has found strength in becoming an active member of the multiple myeloma community. Jeffery has been extensively involved in the "mother ship" of MMRF. Jeffery is passionate about raising awareness of MMRF and helping others navigate their way and to find their path.
Daniel Auclair, PhD – Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Daniel Auclair is the Chief Scientific Officer for the MMRF and has been with the organization for over a decade. He is responsible for oversight of the development and execution of the organization’s scientific plan. In addition, he is responsible for all the MMRF preclinical and translational activities. Dr, Auclair is also deeply involved in the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC), a network of 25 multiple myeloma centers of excellence across the U.S. through which 82 multiple myeloma clinic trials have been run to date.
Dr. Auclair was selected by PharmaVoice in 2017 as one of the 100 Most Inspiring People in the life-sciences industry. After completing his graduate studies in Montreal and postdoctoral fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Cancer Center where he conducted seminal multiple myeloma genomic work, Dr. Auclair then spent a decade in early cancer drug discovery in biotech/pharma, mostly at Bayer where he worked, among others, on overseeing the Bayer-Millennium cancer genomics drug collaboration as well as on Nexavar and Stivarga. He also worked at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard where as a senior manager in the Cancer Program he was involved in a wide range of academic and industry collaborations centered around cancer genomics and precision medicine initiatives.
Michael Andreini – Chief Operating Officer
Michael Andreini joined the MMRF as the Chief Operating Officer in 2019, and is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, strategic programs, and alliances across the foundation. Michael brings over 12 years of strategic consulting and operational experience in the life sciences industry. Prior to joining the MMRF, Michael was an Associate Principal at IQVIA in the consulting services organization where he led complex engagements for biopharma, medical device, and non-profit organizations across diverse solution areas including commercial assessments, portfolio analysis, R&D and launch strategy, and operational execution. Before joining IQVIA, Michael worked at Fuld & Company, a boutique consulting firm specializing in competitive intelligence and strategy, and prior to that, at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in the Global technical Operations group where he resolved technical issues for immunoassay reagents and systems. Michael earned a B.A. in chemistry with a minor concentration in economics from Colgate University.
Paul Giusti – President and Chief Executive Officer
Paul Giusti is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC). Prior to the MMRF, Mr. Giusti worked as a Chief Executive Officer, leader, executive and entrepreneur for over 30 years; he has founded, managed and led a variety of businesses. Early in his career, Mr. Giusti worked as an executive for GE where he held a number of management positions with a wide range of responsibilities.
Mr. Giusti has worked closely with the MMRF since its founding in 1998. In addition to chairing the successful $100 million capital campaign, he has served as a consultant for a number of foundation projects, led several MMRF outreach efforts and spoken on behalf of the MMRF.
Mr. Giusti holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Colorado School of Mines and an MBA from Harvard University.
Faculty Co-Chair, HBS Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator Harvard Business School
Kathy Giusti, a multiple myeloma patient, is the Founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC). She is also the Chief Mission Officer of the MMRF. Kathy is the Henry & Allison McCance Family Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, where she serves as Faculty Co-Chair of the HBS Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator. Kathy has more than two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, previously holding senior positions at G.D. Searle and Merck.
Since founding the MMRF in 1998, Kathy has become a widely respected leader in establishing innovative, collaborative research models in the areas of tissue banking, genomics, and clinical trials. These models are dramatically accelerating the pace at which lifesaving treatments are brought to patients and are building an end-to-end solution in precision medicine. Today, she is recognized as a pioneer of precision medicine, a champion of data sharing, and a strong advocate for patient engagement.
In 2016, Kathy was named Faculty Co-Chair of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator, a $20 million program endowed by Robert Kraft and the Kraft Family Foundation. Under her leadership, the HBS Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator convenes best-in-class leaders from science, business, and technology to identify and solve challenges slowing the advancement of precision medicine. The HBS Kraft PM Accelerator disseminates best practices and models to overcome these challenges, and ultimately enables faster adoption of high-impact innovations.
Kathy has earned numerous prestigious awards and recognitions, including being named 1 of 3 Top Business Leaders Disrupting Medicine by Fortune Magazine and #19 on Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders list. She was also named one of the world’s 100 Most Influential People by TIME magazine. Kathy received the Open Science Champion of Change award by the White House. In addition, she has been honored with the American Association for Cancer Research Centennial Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s Woman of the Year Award.
Kathy serves on the advisory boards of Verily and Verily’s Project Baseline and is a member of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Health Advisory Board. She a Member of the FasterCures Non-Profit Council. Kathy previously served on President Obama’s 2015 Precision Medicine Initiative Working Group, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB), and the National Cancer Policy Board (NCBP).
Kathy has been featured on the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, Fox News, CNN, and Bloomberg. Her efforts have also been profiled by Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Forbes, The New Yorker, WIRED, and Fast Company.
Kathy received her MBA in general management from Harvard Business School and holds an honorary Doctorate from the University of Vermont.
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Nicole Sandilands
RN, BSN, OCN
Nicole has been a registered nurse for five years, specializing in oncology and palliative care. She began her career as an inpatient oncology nurse at Yale providing bedside care to patients and then transitioned to Norwalk Hospital where she worked as a chemotherapy infusion nurse. She received her nursing degree from Fairfield University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in nursing practice (DNP). Her research focus is on “Chemo Brain” which is studying the cognitive changes experienced from receiving chemotherapy.
Erin Mensching
RN, BSN, BA, OCN
Erin is a registered nurse and has been an oncology nurse for eight years at Norwalk Hospital. She has also served on the Patient Council Committee and is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society. Erin is a graduate of Fairfield University’s School of Nursing and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to becoming an oncology nurse, Erin was a healthcare representative for Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis.
Sarah Coulter
RN, OCN
Sarah has been a registered nurse for the past five years, specializing in Hematology Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant. She has spent over ten years in the Oncology field and started her career at Yale New Haven Hospital. Over the last three years, Sarah worked as a traveling nurse in California, South Carolina, Florida, Texas and Maryland. She earned her nursing degree from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing. She is chemotherapy certified and is currently in school to obtain her master’s degree in nursing education.
William S. McKiernan
Former Chair and CEO CyberSource Corporation
William McKiernan is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CyberSource Corporation. Prior to founding CyberSource, Mr. McKiernan was President and Chief Operating Officer of McAfee Associates, now Network Associates; Mr. McKiernan held this position during the company’s initial public offering.
Before joining McAfee, Mr. McKiernan was Vice President of Princeton Venture Research, Inc. and held management positions at ROLM/IBM. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Mr. McKiernan is the West Coast Chairman of the Boston College Technology Council.
Mr. McKiernan holds a Bachelor of Science from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Gerald McDougall
Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Mr. McDougall is Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Sciences Practice, where he provides services to academic medical centers, bioscience companies, pharmaceutical companies, research universities, colleges, health systems, and other research organizations. His practice provides a broad range of research business and compliance services, including strategic and business planning, financial analysis, research compliance, clinical research operations improvement, and information systems implementation services.
In addition, his practice provides support services to the entire research continuum, from grant-funded basic science research, to translational research and clinical trials, including a dedicated group focusing on Clinical Research Consulting services.
Susan Marvin
Chair of the Board – The Marvin Companies
Susan Marvin, Chair of the Board of The Marvin Companies, was part of the third-generation management team in what is today a fourth-generation family owned and operated company.
Active in both profit and nonprofit boards, Susan serves on The Marvin Companies Board of Directors, M. A. Mortenson Company Board of Directors, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Board of Directors, the National Association of Manufacturers Board of Directors, the University of Minnesota Foundation Board of Trustees and she is Chair of the Minnesota Chamber Foundation Board. She is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) Gold.
Prior to her current role, Susan was President of Marvin Windows and Doors where she oversaw the fenestration business.
Susan is a 1979 graduate of the University of Minnesota where she earned an undergraduate degree in Journalism. A native of Warroad, Minnesota, Susan now lives in both Warroad and Minneapolis with her husband, Keith Schwartzwald.
Hugh Martin
Vice President of Strategy, Smart Communities Verizon
Hugh Martin joined Verizon through the acquisition of Sensity Systems by Verizon in October 2016. Hugh created the vision for Sensity Systems and the Light Sensory Network and is responsible for steering the company’s strategic course. His 35-year track record as an entrepreneurial leader of cutting-edge technology companies, new ventures, and high-growth businesses includes serving at the helm of numerous highly successful organizations. In 2011, he was named CEO for Fortune magazine’s ‘Executive Dream Team: The startup edition,’ acknowledged for his ‘management chops’ and for successfully taking public two companies, in two different industries. Most recently, the World Economic Forum recognized Hugh and Sensity as a Technology Pioneer.
Prior to Sensity, Hugh was chairman and CEO of Pacific Biosciences, a leading company in third-generation DNA sequencing. He founded Pacific Biosciences in 2004 with a team from Cornell University and piloted the company through its IPO in 2010 and commercialization in 2011. Before that, he was chairman, president, and CEO of ONI Systems, a high-speed optical telecommunications systems company he founded in 1998 and took public in 2000. Named the Fastest Growing Company in Silicon Valley in 2001, ONI was sold to Ciena in 2002; Hugh then served as a consultant to Ciena.
During his career, Hugh also was president and director of 3DO, an interactive gaming company; served as a CEO-in-residence at the venture capital firm of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; and ran desktop engineering for Apple Computer. Earlier, he founded Ridge Computers, designer of the world’s first commercial reduced instruction set computing (RISC) minicomputer.
He earned a BS in electrical engineering from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick.
David L. Lucchino
Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Frequency Therapeutics
David has played an integral role in launching, building and operating several successful companies in the life sciences. In 2014, he, along with Robert S. Langer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other co-founders, started Frequency Therapeutics with the goal of developing regenerative medicines based on discoveries related to activating progenitor cells.
Before Frequency, David was President and Chief Executive Officer of Entrega Bio, a PureTech Health-founded biotechnology company focused on oral drug delivery technology. Prior to that, David co-founded, also with Dr. Langer, Semprus BioSciences. At Semprus, David oversaw the development of the company’s lead medical product, which focused on surface modifications designed to reduce infection and clotting, and which received FDA and European CE marketing clearance. Semprus was acquired in 2012 by Teleflex, Inc. Prior to Semprus, David worked at the investment firm Polaris Partners.
David currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of MassBio. He is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to the Commonwealth’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Advisory Council. He also serves as a trustee of Mt. Auburn Hospital, a Harvard Medical School facility, a trustee of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, and a member of the Board of Advisors of Life Science Cares.
David earned a B.A. from Denison University, an M.S. from the Newhouse School of Journalism at Syracuse University and an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management as an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow.
Dana LaForge
Partner Brera Capital Partners, LLC
Dana LaForge is a Partner at Brera Capital Partners, a private equity fund, and the Founder and Managing Partner of Colonnade Financial Group, a private equity services firm.
Prior to Brera and Colonnade, Dana was head of Financial Institutions Investment Banking and Chief of Staff of Banking and Capital Markets at Deutsche Bank and its predecessor companies. Earlier in his career, he was a bond trader and founded the Mortgage Finance Group.
Dana has served on numerous portfolio company boards and is the Chairman of GAB Robins NA. He was one of the earliest Directors of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation joining the Board in 1999 and helping guide the Foundation from start up through today serving as the organization’s only Chairman since being elected in 2003.
Dana earned a BS from Washington and Lee University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives in New York City with his wife, Kathleen McCabe and their two daughters.
Rodney Gilmore
Corporate and Business Law, Real Estate Law Doty Barlow Britt & Theiman LLP
Rodney Gilmore is an attorney in the California Bay Area and a longtime college football broadcaster.
Gilmore joined ESPN in August of 1996 as a college football analyst. He currently works on ESPN/ABC Saturday telecast with Mark Jones and Quint Kessenich and contributes to studio shows including College Football Live, Outside the Lines and SportsCenter. He previously served as an ESPN studio analyst and a contributor to ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.
Prior to joining ESPN, Gilmore worked as an analyst with Prime Sports Network in California (1993-95), covering Pac-10 football, along with SportsChannel Bay Area from 1991-93 and the Pacific Sports Network in 1990. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1994 for live sports coverage of Pac-10 football.
A 1982 Stanford University graduate with a degree in English, Gilmore was a defensive back under coaches Bill Walsh, Rod Dowhower and Paul Wiggin, and also played baseball for Stanford.
Following graduation from Stanford, he earned his law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall) in 1986, and was admitted to the California State Bar the same year. He began his law career in Los Angeles with the firm of Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP before returning to the Bay Area in 1988. He became a partner in the San Francisco business law firm Greene Radovsky Maloney & Share LLP in 1993. In 1997, he joined the Palo Alto, CA business law firm of Doty, Barlow, Britt & Thieman LLP. Rodney specializes in transactional law with an emphasis on business formation and planning, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial transactions. He also has extensive experience in commercial real estate matters, including sales and acquisitions, financings and leases.
Gilmore is a longtime volunteer for Stanford. He is a member and former officer of two entities sponsored by the Stanford Alumni Association. He previously served as chairman of the Stanford Athletic Board and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Stanford Alumni Association. He is also an active member of several Bar Associations and several local community organizations.
An Oakland, CA native, Gilmore is a member of the Oakland Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife, Marie, the former Mayor of Alameda, CA, and has two adult children (Anthony and Nicole).
Thomas Conheeney
Retired President SAC Capital
Tom was appointed President of SAC Capital in July 2008. He joined SAC in October 1999 as Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to joining SAC, Tom was President of Investment Management Services, Inc (“IMS”) from 1996 to 1999. He joined Moore Capital /IMS in 1993 and served as its Director of Trading Operations and then Vice President until IMS split off from Moore in 1995. Tom joined Moore Capital /IMS from Goldman Sachs Trust Company, where he was a Vice President with responsibilities for daily operations, technology, and client services. From 1986 to 1993, Tom was in the operations and equity divisions of Goldman, Sachs & Co., becoming Vice President in 1991.
He retired from SAC December 2014.
Karen E. Andrews
Director Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Karen E. Andrews is currently SVP and General Counsel for the March of Dimes. Previously Karen was the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of BBDO Worldwide, Inc. where she was responsible for the management of the legal activities of over 150 individual operating units throughout the world.
Prior to joining BBDO Worldwide, Ms. Andrews was Associate General Counsel and Director of Television Business Affairs at Time Inc. Ms. Andrews began her career in law as a Litigation Associate at the New York law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges where she specialized in Entertainment Litigation.
Ms. Andrews graduated cum laude from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and earned her law degree, cum laude, from Temple School of Law.
Ms. Andrews is a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
In 1998, Ms. Andrews co-founded the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation with Kathy Giusti.
Kenneth Anderson, MD
Director Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Anderson graduated from Johns Hopkins Medical School. He trained in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital and completed hematology, medical oncology, and tumor immunology training at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dr. Anderson is the Kraft Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and serves as Chief of the Division of Hematologic Neoplasia, Director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center, and Vice Chair of the Joint Program in Transfusion Medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
He received the Waldenstrom’s Award in 2003 for his translational research directed to the development of novel therapeutics targeting the myeloma cell in its microenvironment and is a Doris Duke Distinguished Clinical Research Scientist.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the MMRF, Dr. Anderson serves as Chairman of the MMRF’s Scientific Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium, and Chairman of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Multiple Myeloma Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee.
Lori Tauber Marcus
Founder Courtyard Connections
Vice Chairman of the Board MMRF
Lori Marcus is an independent board director and keynote speaker. She is currently serving in the role of Vice Chairman of the MMRF board. Lori is also the Chairman of the board of DNA Diagnostics Center, a growing leader in private DNA testing services, where she guides overall strategy and governance for corporate growth. Additionally, she is an independent Board Director for SHARE, a 40-year-old survivor-led organization based in New York City that provides support, information, and resources to women affected by breast and ovarian cancers. Lori also currently serves on the CMO advisory board for VentureBeat and is a board advisor to Carrington Farms.
Most recently, Ms. Marcus served as Interim Global Chief Marketing Officer for Peloton Interactive, Inc., a private equity and venture capital backed home fitness innovator. At Peloton, Lori drove business growth with strategy, brand marketing, communications, PR, social/digital media, consumer insights, data analytics, creative services, and community engagement. Prior, Lori was Chief Global Brand and Product Officer at Keurig Green Mountain. With more than 30 years of broad-based marketing and general management experience, Lori was responsible for global brand and product management for the Keurig system of innovative brewers and beverages. During her tenure at Keurig Green Mountain, she also led the company’s global marketing efforts and all aspects of e-commerce, digital/social media, marketing insights, and graphic design. Lori was also Chief Marketing Officer of The Children’s Place Retail Stores and SVP Marketing at PepsiCo.
Lori is a graduate of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Mike Mortimer
Executive Partner and Founder GHO Capital
Chairman of the Board MMRF
Mike has 28 years of operating and management experience, most recently at Quintiles as an Executive Vice President. In this role, Mike was responsible for Quintiles’ global operations in Health Engagement and Communications, Legal and Risk Management, Real Estate and Facilities, Human Resources as well as Security. He was also the Chairman of the company’s European, Middle East, Africa and Latin American management board, in which he was accountable for the organic and inorganic growth strategies of the regions.
Mike joined Quintiles in July of 2003 following 10 years at Charles Schwab Corp., where he was Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the company’s global retail and internet organizations.
Mike sits on the boards of Oxford Cancer Biomarkers Ltd., HUYA Bioscience International and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from The Ohio State University.
Paul Giusti
President and Chief Executive Officer MMRF and MMRC
Paul Giusti is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Prior to the MMRF, Mr. Giusti worked as a Chief Executive Officer, leader, executive and entrepreneur for over 30 years; he has founded, managed and led a variety of businesses. Early in his career, Mr. Giusti worked as an executive for GE where he held a number of management positions with a wide range of responsibilities.
Mr. Giusti has worked closely with the MMRF since its founding in 1998. In addition to chairing the successful $100 million capital campaign, he has served as a consultant for a number of foundation projects, led several MMRF outreach efforts and spoken on behalf of the MMRF.
Mr. Giusti holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Colorado School of Mines and an MBA from Harvard University.
Kathy Giusti
Founder and Chief Mission Officer MMRF and MMRC
Faculty Co-Chair, HBS Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator Harvard Business School
Kathy Giusti, a multiple myeloma patient, is the Founder of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC). She is also the Chief Mission Officer of the MMRF. Kathy is the Henry & Allison McCance Family Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, where she serves as Faculty Co-Chair of the HBS Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator. Kathy has more than two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, previously holding senior positions at G.D. Searle and Merck.
Since founding the MMRF in 1998, Kathy has become a widely respected leader in establishing innovative, collaborative research models in the areas of tissue banking, genomics, and clinical trials. These models are dramatically accelerating the pace at which lifesaving treatments are brought to patients and are building an end-to-end solution in precision medicine. Today, she is recognized as a pioneer of precision medicine, a champion of data sharing, and a strong advocate for patient engagement.
In 2016, Kathy was named Faculty Co-Chair of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator, a $20 million program endowed by Robert Kraft and the Kraft Family Foundation. Under her leadership, the HBS Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator convenes best-in-class leaders from science, business, and technology to identify and solve challenges slowing the advancement of precision medicine. The HBS Kraft PM Accelerator disseminates best practices and models to overcome these challenges, and ultimately enables faster adoption of high-impact innovations.
Kathy has earned numerous prestigious awards and recognitions, including being named 1 of 3 Top Business Leaders Disrupting Medicine by Fortune Magazine and #19 on Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders list. She was also named one of the world’s 100 Most Influential People by TIME magazine. Kathy received the Open Science Champion of Change award by the White House. In addition, she has been honored with the American Association for Cancer Research Centennial Medal for Distinguished Public Service and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s Woman of the Year Award.
Kathy serves on the advisory boards of Verily and Verily’s Project Baseline and is a member of the Harvard Business School (HBS) Health Advisory Board. She a Member of the FasterCures Non-Profit Council. Kathy previously served on President Obama’s 2015 Precision Medicine Initiative Working Group, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB), and the National Cancer Policy Board (NCBP).
Kathy has been featured on the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, Fox News, CNN, and Bloomberg. Her efforts have also been profiled by Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Forbes, The New Yorker, WIRED, and Fast Company.
Kathy received her MBA in general management from Harvard Business School and holds an honorary Doctorate from the University of Vermont.
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