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Greg Plowman Senior Director: Tumor Biology and Angiogenesis |
"I joined Genentech in 2005 as senior director, Tumor Biology and Angiogenesis. In this role, I unite our angiogenesis efforts into a single department. I oversee our Biomedical Imaging group and our growing efforts in Tumor Biology. I was drawn to Genentech because of the company's long-term commitment to cancer, its leadership in biologics, and the opportunity to work closely with Clinical and other divisions in the company. I've watched the company from the outside for over two decades and have worked on closely related projects in growth factor signaling, angiogenesis, developmental biology, and small molecule and antibody therapeutics. Genentech has become a mecca for those passionate about targeted therapies, and 2005 was the ideal time for me to join the company."
Current Projects "Avastin®(bevacizumab) is the first FDA-approved therapy designed to inhibit angiogenesis. We continue to further our understanding of the mechanism of Avastin activity in cancer patients through pre-clinical and clinical studies to address questions of the duration of benefit and synergy with cytotoxics and targeted therapies and to establish models to characterize the mechanism of escape and resistance to anti-VEGF therapy. We also apply several pre-clinical imaging modalities to evaluate target density, pathway activation and phenotypic response to therapy.
We have a number of programs focused on identification and advancement of new biologics that will augment the activity of Avastin and other anti-angiogenic agents in the fight against cancer. These include therapeutic antibodies to other targets up- or down-stream of the VEGF axis, targets with restricted tumor or tissue vascular expression, axon guidance molecules, and targets revealed through mouse knockouts of our collection of cell surface proteins. We are also characterizing targets involved in ocular pathologies, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Finally, we are also actively pursuing pro-angiogenic opportunities in our Disorders of Tissue Growth and Repair focus area."
Collaborations "We depend on close collaborations with others throughout the company, including other areas of Research, Developmental Sciences, Clinical, Business Development, Legal and Commercial Operations. We also serve as a core facility for Biomedical Imaging."
Inspiration/Vision "Through innovation, rigorous science and focus, Genentech has brought some of the first targeted therapies to cancer patients. At all levels in the company, there is a conviction that good science and smart people can lead to great advances in the treatment of cancer."