In his role of Head Oncology Translational Strategy, Dr Sachsenmeier is leading the development of new cancer treatments by translating advances in new research and integrating this with existing drugs to create new approaches to curing cancer.
Kris studied at the University of Wisconsin, Madison for both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biochemistry, Immunology and Toxicology. Next, he studied tumor viruses during a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh in the lab of Dr. Jim Pipas. Kris then worked in two startup-biotechnology companies: Automated Cell in Pittsburgh and Arius in Toronto. In both companies, Kris led teams doing anti-cancer antibody discovery. After joining Medimmune, Kris led the first Oncology Research bi-specific antibody project as well as various “Function First” target/lead discovery projects. One of these projects led to discovery of a functionally active antibody targeting CD73, an ectoenzyme which generates adenosine within the tumor microenvironment. Kris led the project team from target discovery, through validation, lead isolation and discovery through to filing of an IND and support of the clinical team for what became the first anti-CD73 antibody to enter human clinical trials: MEDI9447. Prior to Takeda Oncology, Kris was with the Translational Sciences team at Astrazeneca.