Julian Adams, Ph.D

Julian Adams, Ph.D., has accumulated a wealth of experience with over 40 years in oncology research, development, and leadership. As chief science officer for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), he is responsible for the development of strategic priorities that enhance SU2C’s research portfolio. Dr. Adams works closely with the SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee to steer funding to the most promising translational research opportunities; he also supports the securing of gifts, grants and sponsorships that advance SU2C’s cutting-edge research. In addition to leading the strategy and operational effectiveness of SU2C’s grants program, Dr. Adams bolsters SU2C’s external relationships across the cancer research community, including with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the Scientific Partner of SU2C, as well as with funding partners, research institutions, government entities, and other key stakeholders.

Until his retirement in October 2022, Dr. Adams served as chief executive officer of Gamida Cell (NASDAQ:GMDA), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company working to develop cell therapies for blood cancers and rare, serious blood diseases. Prior to joining Gamida Cell, Dr. Adams was president of R&D at Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc., where he oversaw development of small molecule drugs to treat cancer. He earlier served in senior research leadership roles at Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Boehringer Ingelheim, LeukoSite, Inc., and ProScript. He is also a former member of SU2C’s Scientific Advisory Committee.

Dr. Adams has received many awards, including the 2012 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize for his role in the discovery and development of bortezomib, the 2012 C. Chester Stock Award Lectureship from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the 2001 Ribbon of Hope Award for Velcade® from the International Myeloma Foundation. He holds more than 40 patents and has authored more than 130 papers and book chapters in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Adams received his B.S. from McGill University and his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the field of synthetic organic chemistry. He also received the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, from McGill University in 2012.