SITC Biotech Virtual Programs

Webinars

Clinical Development Career Path

March 3, 2025, 10–11 A.M. CST 


Featured Panelists

Yusri Elsayed, MD, MHSc, PhD – Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Kristen Hege, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb (previously employed)

Rachel Humphrey, MD  – Normunity, Inc.

Moderated by
Christopher Heery, MD  Arcellx, Inc.


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Research and Development Career Path

March 27, 2025, 3–4 P.M. CST


Featured Panelists

Dmitry Gabrilovich, MD, PhD – AstraZeneca

Priti Hegde, PhD – Kite Pharma 

Ira Mellman, PhD, FAIO – Medici Therapeutics

Moderated by
Christopher Heery, MD Arcellx, Inc.


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Program Overview

Christopher Heery, MD

Co-Organizer
Christopher Heery, MD

Arcellx, Inc.

Claire Vanpouille-Box

Co-Organizer
Claire Vanpouille-Box
 
Weill Cornell Medicine

In 2023, the SITC Board of Directors launched a six-part strategic plan to engage the broad biotech ecosystem to support the approval of 100 novel IO agents by 2034.

Two pillars of that plan include: Education Excellence and Talent Development. These pillars focus on educating the community on the business of IO biotech, from technology transfer to early-stage investment. They also aim to train the next generation of IO biotech leaders, preparing them to excel in various career paths, including academia, biotech, finance, and pharmaceutical settings.

The first initiative of these pillars will be three virtual interviews focused on the business of launching a biotech and two webinars focused on two distinct career paths in biotech. The target audience for these programs includes mostly early career professionals interested in transitioning into a career in biotech. Individuals later in their career looking to make a transition into this industry may also be interested.

Talent Development Webinars

The variety of professional roles within the biotechnology industry is broader and more varied than many appreciate.

This webinar series will highlight the career paths of three successful scientific leaders in both biotech and pharma with practical advice on interview and resume strategies to land in the right position. The first webinar scheduled for March 3, 2025, 10-11 A.M. CST will feature panelists Yusri Elsayed, MD, MHSc, PhD – Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Kristen Hege, MD – Bristol Myers Squibb (previously employed) and Rachel Humphrey, MD – Normunity, Inc. Moderated by Christopher Heery, MD – Arcellx, Inc., this webinar will focus on the clinical development career path.

The second webinar is scheduled for March 27, 2025, 3-4 P.M. CST and will feature a discussion with Dmitry Gabrilovich, MD, PhD – AstraZeneca, Priti Hegde, PhD – Kite Pharma, and Ira Mellman, PhD, FAIO – Medici Therapeutics. Also moderated by Christopher Heery, MD, this webinar will focus on the research and development career path.

These live webinars will be structured as a panel with panelists sharing their own stories and providing insights into successfully landing the right position as an early career professional seeking a career in biotech. Attendees will have ample time to ask questions of the panelists throughout the discussions. 

Thank you to our Webinar panelists and moderator

Yusri Elsayed, MD, MHSc, PhD

Yusri Elsayed, MD, MHSc, PhD
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Dmitry Gabrilovich, MD, PhD

Dmitry Gabrilovich, MD, PhD
AstraZeneca

Priti Hegde, PhD

Priti Hegde, PhD
Kite Pharma

Kristen Hege, MD

Kristen Hege, MD
Bristol Myers Squibb (previously employed)

Rachel Humphrey, MD

Rachel Humphrey, MD
Normunity, Inc.

Ira Mellman, PhD, FAIO

Ira Mellman, PhD, FAIO
Medici Therapeutics

Christopher Heery, MD

Moderator
Christopher Heery, MD

Arcellx, Inc.

Education Excellence Interviews

These interviews will offer the community valuable insights into the considerations and experiences surrounding academic tech transfer, early-stage IO biotech launches and investor decisioning.

Led by co-chairs, Praveen Bommareddy, MS, PhD, and Johanna Grossman, PhD, the series will feature engaging discussions with experts in the field. 

The first interview, scheduled for publication in March 2025, will explore the transition of academically developed IO technologies and intellectual property into a biotech company. Praveen Bommareddy, MS, PhD – Replimune will lead a conversation with Samir N. Khleif, MD – Georgetown University Medical Center and Bruce Levine, PhD – University of Pennsylvania focusing on when a dataset is ready for development, the differences between sponsor-initiated trials and Investigator-Initiated Trials (IITs), and strategies for connecting with investors.

In the second interview, set for June 2025, biotech founders will share their experiences in building their companies, raising funds, and crafting a business plan. Praveen Bommareddy, MS, PhD – Replimune will facilitate a discussion with Robert Coffin, PhD – Replimune and Rachel Humphrey, MD – Normunity, Inc. on these topics.

The final interview, slated for September 2025, will feature early-stage investors who will discuss their approach to evaluating new opportunities, their involvement in company growth, and their due diligence processes. Dr. Johanna Grossman – the New York Stock Exchange - will lead this engaging conversation with Dr. Artavazd (Arti) Arumov, PhD – Qiming Venture Partners USA and Nandita Shangari, PhD – RA Capital Management.

Thank you to our interview participants

Artavazd (Arti) Arumov, PhD

Artavazd (Arti) Arumov, PhD
Qiming Venture Partners USA

Praveen Bommareddy, MS, PhD

Praveen Bommareddy, MS, PhD
Replimune 

Robert Coffin, PhD

Robert Coffin, PhD
Replimune

Johanna Grossman, PhD

Johanna Grossman, PhD
New York Stock Exchange

Rachel Humphrey, MD

Rachel Humphrey, MD
Normunity, Inc.

Samir N. Khleif, MD

Samir N. Khleif, MD
Georgetown University Medical Center

Bruce Levine, PhD

Bruce Levine, PhD
University of Pennsylvania

Nandita Shangari, PhD

Nandita Shangari, PhD
RA Capital Management