Howard Kaufman

Howard L. Kaufman, M.D., is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ankyra Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cancer therapies. He was appointed to this position on March 22, 2022, after serving as the Chief Medical Officer since June 2021.15

Education and Early Career

Dr. Kaufman earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Loyola University Chicago and completed his residency in General Surgery at Boston University, followed by fellowship training at the National Cancer Institute.24 His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago.4

Professional Achievements

Dr. Kaufman is recognized as a leading authority in tumor immunotherapy and oncolytic viruses, particularly for melanoma treatment. Notably, he led the first successful Phase III trial of an oncolytic herpes virus, which resulted in the first FDA approval of such a virus for cancer treatment.25 Over his career, he has published more than 500 peer-reviewed scientific papers and has held various leadership roles across healthcare and biotechnology sectors.24

Current Role at Ankyra Therapeutics

At Ankyra Therapeutics, Dr. Kaufman oversees the development of therapies aimed at enhancing immune responses against tumors while minimizing systemic toxicity. The company's lead asset, ANK-101, has entered Phase I clinical trials targeting advanced solid tumors.35 His leadership is pivotal as Ankyra expands its research and development efforts in immunotherapy.

Additional Experience

Before joining Ankyra, Dr. Kaufman held significant positions such as Head of Research and Development at Immuneering Corporation and Associate Director at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. He has also served in various capacities at prestigious institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital and Rush University Medical Center.46

His extensive experience in clinical development and commitment to advancing cancer therapies positions him as a key figure in the biotechnology landscape.