Renowned GI Oncology Leader Dr. Richard Goldberg Joins Agenus as Chief Development Officer

Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq: AGEN), a leader in immuno-oncology innovation today announced that Dr. Richard M. Goldberg, an internationally recognized expert in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer treatment and research, has joined the company as Chief Development Officer. In this role, Dr. Goldberg will lead efforts to advance the botensilimab/balstilimab (BOT/BAL) program for patients and guide the company’s regulatory and development strategy as it prepares to re-engage global health authorities.

Dr. Goldberg's distinguished career spans over four decades, during which he has made significant contributions to oncology through clinical practice, research, and leadership.​

“Five years ago, I stepped away from formal cancer center leadership roles in academic oncology and from clinical practice. That afforded me time to apply my skills differently by advising companies developing new drugs and technologies for treating GI cancers and particularly colorectal cancer. I also used this opportunity to become even more actively engaged in patient advocacy. Despite incremental treatment advances, patients, and their family members, clamor daily for new and better treatments. They want more time, better time, and ultimately curative interventions where no cure is possible today. This unmet need is particularly hard felt among those with MSS colorectal cancer where the treatment benefits for immuno-oncology interventions largely remain to be realized,” said Dr. Richard Goldberg.

Goldberg continues, “As a consultant, I recognized what Agenus is achieving with botensilimab and balstilimab. This innovative combination is among the most promising approaches on the horizon. The opportunity to move these investigational agents forward to gain FDA approval and allow oncologists to integrate them into our treatment armamentarium as soon as possible compels me to recommit myself fully to the workplace. I believe these two agents can and will change outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer and, beyond that, will prove to be important tools across a broad spectrum of solid tumors.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Goldberg has held several prominent positions, including:​

• Director of the West Virginia University Cancer Institute (WVUCI): From 2017 until his retirement in January 2020, Dr. Goldberg led WVUCI, overseeing its clinical, research, and teaching missions. ​
• Physician-in-Chief at The Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital: Prior to his tenure at WVUCI, he served as Physician-in-Chief and Associate Director of Outreach for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. ​
• Physician-in-Chief at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital: At the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Dr. Goldberg was Physician-in-Chief and Associate Director at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. ​

Dr. Goldberg's research has been pivotal in advancing GI oncology, with a focus on developing new treatments, understanding inherited cancer susceptibility, and identifying predictive and prognostic factors in GI cancers. He has authored over 430 peer-reviewed publications, underscoring his commitment to scientific advancement. ¹​