Gail Lewis
Distinguished Scientist, Discovery Oncology Genentech
For more than 30 years, Dr. Gail Lewis has headed a tumor cell biology/preclinical drug development lab in Genentech Research. She was hired at Genentech to investigate cytokine-mediated tumor cell killing and mechanisms of resistance. The outcome of this work, in collaboration with UCLA and MSKCC, was the development and approvals of trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and pertuzumab (Perjeta®) for treating HER2-positive breast cancer.
Following the approval of trastuzumab, Gail focused her efforts on nascent ADCs. She investigated different targets, antibody formats, and linker-drug combinations, with the focus primarily on HER2. This work led to the development and approval of trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®). Gail has continued to work on ADCs for HER2 as well as additional targets, with an expanded arsenal of novel linker-drugs. Gail’s lab’s expertise now encompasses not only HER2+ breast cancer but other solid tumor types as well as hematologic malignancies.
Seminars
- Understanding the importance of antibody epitope, influence of target isoforms and impact on internalization
- Unveiling detailed investigation of unique payloads to develop non-cytotoxic ADCs with improved therapeutic index beyond traditional conjugates
- Undergoing investigation of antigen internalization and tumor cell payload concentration to secure in-depth mechanistic understanding and benefit of antibody-mediated delivery
- Laying out takeaways for non-cytotoxic ADC development and applications to internal ADC development
