Array BioPharma Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of targeted small molecule drugs to treat patients with cancer, today announced the appointment of Victor Sandor, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Sandor will be responsible for leading clinical, medical and regulatory strategy and operations across the Array portfolio, including binimetinib, a MEK inhibitor in Phase 3 trials for ovarian cancer and melanoma, and filanesib, a KSP inhibitor for multiple myeloma. Dr. Sandor brings a wealth of experience in oncology/hematology drug development, following a successful track record in leadership positions at premier biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies, including Incyte, Biogen, and AstraZeneca. In these roles, he was instrumental in bringing products such as Jakafi® (ruxolitinib), Arimidex® (anastrozole) and Faslodex® (fulvestrant injection) to the market and was responsible for advancing these and several other targeted-and immuno-therapies through clinical development for a broad range of cancer indications.
“Dr. Sandor’s leadership, experience and vision will strengthen our clinical development efforts as we advance our late-stage, wholly-owned assets toward commercialization,” said Ron Squarer, Chief Executive Officer, Array BioPharma. “With the possible near-term return of binimetinib to Array, his expertise will have significant impact on our long-term success.”
“I am pleased to join the Array team at such an exciting time in the company’s evolution,” said Dr. Sandor. “In addition to the impressive portfolio of clinical-stage assets in development by Array’s partners, I look forward to focusing on the development of binimetinib and filanesib, which each target patient populations with significant unmet medical need.”
Dr. Sandor has more than a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Prior to joining Array, he was Senior Vice President for Global Clinical Development at Incyte Corporation. In this role, he was instrumental in the development, approval and commercialization of the first JAK inhibitor, while leading clinical development, clinical operations, medical affairs and biostatistics across the entire portfolio including responsibility for several novel mechanisms including PI3K, c-Met and IDO1 inhibitors. Prior to Incyte, Dr. Sandor was Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for oncology at Biogen Idec. He previously held positions of increasing responsibility in oncology product development at AstraZeneca, where he played an important role in the registration of Arimidex for adjuvant use, the development of Faslodex, and the development of several early stage programs through proof of concept. Dr. Sandor received his MD CM from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and completed his Fellowship in Medical Oncology at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dr. Sandor will replace Array’s prior Chief Medical Officer, Michael Needle, M.D., who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.
