Revolution Medicines, Inc. (Nasdaq: RVMD) announced the appointment of Alan Sandler, M.D. as chief development officer, marking a significant leadership expansion as the late-stage clinical oncology company advances its pipeline of targeted therapies for RAS-addicted cancers. The company also appointed regional general managers to strengthen its global commercial capabilities ahead of potential product approvals.
Strategic Leadership Appointment
Dr. Sandler joins Revolution Medicines in the newly created chief development officer role, bringing extensive experience in oncology drug development. "As a physician-scientist, Alan is recognized as a leader in the field of lung cancer and has established a track record of excellence in oncology drug development," said Mark A. Goldsmith, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer and chairman of Revolution Medicines.
The appointment comes as Revolution Medicines pursues what Goldsmith described as "our bold vision to develop new global standards of care for patients with RAS-addicted cancers." Dr. Sandler's role will provide additional leadership as the company's development activities expand to support its pipeline of RAS(ON) inhibitors.
Extensive Industry Experience
Dr. Sandler most recently served as chief medical officer at ALX Oncology before joining Revolution Medicines. His career includes executive vice president and chief medical officer positions at Mirati Therapeutics through its acquisition by Bristol Myers Squibb, and president and head of global development, Oncology at Zai Lab Limited.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Sandler held senior leadership roles at Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, where he drove multiple oncology development programs. His academic background includes leadership positions as division chief of Hematology/Oncology at Oregon Health and Science University, medical director of Thoracic Oncology at Vanderbilt University, and medical director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at Indiana University.
Commercial Preparation
Revolution Medicines has also appointed two regional leaders to build global commercial capabilities: Alicia Gardner as senior vice president, general manager for the U.S. region, and Gerwin Winter as senior vice president, general manager for the European region.
These appointments position the company for potential approvals and commercial launches of daraxonrasib in patients with cancers driven by RAS, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, as well as other targeted medicines for patients with RAS-addicted cancers.
RAS(ON) Inhibitor Pipeline
Revolution Medicines' R&D pipeline comprises RAS(ON) inhibitors designed to suppress diverse oncogenic variants of RAS proteins. The company's current clinical-stage programs include daraxonrasib (RMC-6236), a RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibitor; elironrasib (RMC-6291), a RAS(ON) G12C-selective inhibitor; and zoldonrasib (RMC-9805), a RAS(ON) G12D-selective inhibitor.
The company anticipates that RMC-5127, a RAS(ON) G12V-selective inhibitor, will be its next RAS(ON) inhibitor to enter clinical development. Additional development opportunities in the pipeline focus on RAS(ON) mutant-selective inhibitors, including RMC-0708 (Q61H) and RMC-8839 (G13C).
