Allen Ebens Associate Director: Cancer Signaling & Translational Oncology Profile | Education/Background | Top Scientific Papers | Awards & Honors

"I joined Genentech in 2004 to lead a team focused on antibody-drug conjugates for B-cell malignancies. I'm very proud of the group that I lead for their achievements. In just three years, during a time when the technology platform was uncertain and rapidly evolving, we started with numerous prospects and quickly focused to move three targets from concept to development candidate. Ever since I arrived, I have felt challenged and privileged to work with a very elite group of research scientists, clinicians and manufacturing colleagues. Genentech does a terrific job of coupling research scientists with clinicians early in project concept to ensure that new therapeutics meet a high bar, not for an incremental advance, but for new molecules that could be curative. Our success has never been certain, but the data have been very compelling, and the challenges of opening a new therapeutic platform are very rewarding. When I look at the proportion of our pipeline represented by these efforts and the enormous clinical potential, I feel it's more than I could have hoped for as a career opportunity."

Current Projects "Our group has expanded its activities beyond antigen targets to include validation and indication selection for a number of molecules in the pipeline which were not initially conceived for hematology/oncology indications. In addition, we have recently provided proof-of-concept data around a relatively unvalidated kinase family and initiated a promising chemistry program. We believe committed efforts to go deep into complicated biology are the Genentech advantage."

Collaborations "If you have a great idea, people and resources will follow. From concept to clinic, Genentech has all the tools. The challenge is yours to provide compelling data and strategy to support your idea."

Inspiration/Vision "Biological systems are difficult, and clarity is hard to come by. I take satisfaction on a day-to-day basis in small and indisputable data, the foundations that allow us to build a program. As a manager, I feel really rewarded when someone early in their career makes an important contribution, particularly when they've gone there with little coaching, mostly based on their own insight. Of course, the biggest reward would be documented clinical responses to an agent I helped develop. That's what gets me up early in the morning and keeps me going through the day."