Precision for Medicine CMO Harpreet Singh and Repertoire Immune Medicines CMO Robert Andtbacka discuss oncology clinical trial design, life on the biotech side, and advice for other CMOs

In a wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Singh and Dr. Andtbacka reflect on the success of the immunotherapy field and the cancer centers that helped develop the new medicines, career leaps to industry, dealing with the risks of biotech, talking to investors, and advice for other CMOs.

The Experts

Dr. Harpreet Singh serves as Chief Medical Officer of Precision for Medicine, a global leader in biomarker-driven clinical research and development. Dr. Singh was previously an Oncology Division Director at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is responsible for medical strategy and oversight at Precision.

She is an experienced leader with a demonstrated track record in building high performing cross functioning teams, developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with colleagues in academia, industry, and international regulatory bodies. Dr. Singh is scientifically driven, patient centered, with high academic integrity and a commitment to regulatory standards.

Motivated by a desire to accelerate breakthrough treatments in oncology and rare disease, Dr. Singh has a multi-dimensional understanding of drug development along with deep experience as a medical oncologist, having trained at the National Cancer Institute and the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Singh maintains an active public presence as a thought leader for important issues facing the life sciences industry.

Robert is an internationally recognized clinical expert and seasoned biopharma executive with more than 20 years of experience spanning therapeutic research and development, academic leadership, and company-building. He is widely published in his field, with over 80 peer-reviewed publications, 150 abstracts, and 4 book chapters.

Before joining Repertoire, Robert served as Chief Medical Officer at HiFiBiO Therapeutics, where he led the clinical and strategic development of the company’s immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease pipelines. Prior to that, he was Chief Medical Officer at Seven and Eight Biopharmaceuticals, where he directed the development of novel immunotherapies, oncolytic viruses, and antibody drug conjugates, and played a key role in the acquisition of clinical assets by Eikon Therapeutics.

Earlier in his career, Robert held academic and clinical leadership roles at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, where he was a tenured professor of surgical oncology, Co-Director of the Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Program, and Director of the Melanoma Clinical Research Program. He also served as Chief Medical Officer of Vestan Medical Imaging, overseeing preclinical and clinical development of imaging agents and companion devices.

Robert earned his MD, CM from McGill University, where he also completed his residency in General Surgery. He went on to complete a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is a board-certified surgeon, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).