Photographer: Thos Robinson / Getty Images
Photographer: Thos Robinson / Getty Images
José Baselga, a renowned cancer doctor who led AstraZeneca Plc’s oncology research and development arm, passed away.
A member of the American Cancer Research Association, Baselga died of Creuzfeldt-Jacob disease, a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder, according to a Spanish report. He was 61 years old.
Baselga has been in charge of developing AstraZeneca’s cancer drugs since CEO Pascal Soriot hired him in 2019 in his attempt to turn the drugmaker into a leader in the lucrative field. The company invested nearly $ 7 billion that year in a drug from Daiichi Sankyo Co. that Baselga studied extensively at a major medical center in the United States.
“He established our R&D role in oncology on a remarkable track record,” said Soriot in a Sunday statement. “His visionary leadership, deep scientific knowledge and strategic vision have brought about so many achievements that we can all be proud of and that will benefit the lives of patients for years to come.”
Baselga defended the company’s work with Daiichi-Sankyo in relation to the clinical development of two cancer drugs: Enhertu (deruxtecan trastuzumab) and deruxtecan datopotamab. He led a team to accelerate science in drug-antibody conjugates, cell therapy, epigenetics, as well as new cancer treatments, the company said.
Baselga, who arrived at AstraZeneca with limited corporate experience, was a controversial choice. He had just left his previous job as chief physician at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, after news that he had received payments from the pharmaceutical industry.
– With the help of John Lauerman