Annalisa Jenkins brings over 25 years of life-science leadership expertise to the board along with experience in positions that span the public, private and charitable sectors. Christoph Lengauer, cofounder of Curie.Bio and renowned drug hunter, also joins and takes up the role of inaugural chair of the Therapeutic Innovation board. 

Cancer Research Horizons comprises two principal divisions: Therapeutic Innovation, a drug discovery engine with 200 scientists across six UK sites; and Commercial Partnerships, which creates the meeting point between industry, Therapeutic Innovation, and Cancer Research UK-funded research. The Cancer Research Horizons board monitors progress against objectives and approves the major transactions. The Therapeutic Innovation board will act as a think tank, guiding the evolution of the division’s drug discovery strategy towards maximising outcomes for cancer patients. 

“We are delighted to have Annalisa and Christoph on board. Their appointment reflects our intent to deliver a step change in our impact,” says Iain Foulkes, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research Horizons. “This is a very exciting time for Cancer Research Horizons as we extend our drug discovery capabilities and forge exciting new partnerships to realise the promise in the world-class research funded by Cancer Research UK.”

“I am excited to have the opportunity to support one of the world’s leading charities in cancer research,” says Annalisa. “Cancer Research Horizons plays an important role in providing significant human and financial resources to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research. The fight against cancer will be won by collaboration across the public, private and charitable sectors, and Cancer Research Horizons sits at the heart of this ecosystem.” 

Annalisa studied medicine at the University of London, and early in her career was a medical officer in the Royal Navy. She later held senior roles at Merck Serono and Bristol Myers-Squibb, and was president and chief executive officer of Dimension Therapeutics, which she took public and later sold to Ultragenyx. She is currently on the board of Genomics England as well as several growing companies, and is Trustee at the Kings Fund.  

Christoph Lengauer says: “Taking cutting-edge innovations from the lab and translating them into effective treatments for patients is super difficult; many experts state that ‘it’s close to impossible’. I am looking forward to assisting the Cancer Research Horizons team with the acceleration of the discovery, development, and commercialisation of new therapeutics.” 

As a principal investigator at the Vogelstein lab, Johns Hopkins University, Christoph helped identify several cancer genes, some of which are targets of approved drugs. After heading up drug discovery departments at Sanofi and Novartis, he became chief scientific officer of Blueprint Medicines and cofounded several other biotechs. In 2022 he cofounded Curie.Bio, a new model for venture capital in biotech focused on helping founders launch serious therapeutics companies.  

“The wealth of experience in therapeutic discovery and development, and commercialisation that Annalisa and Christoph bring will be a huge asset to the organisation,” says Tony Hickson, Chief Business Officer of Cancer Research Horizons. “We appreciate their willingness to share it with us.” 

“As we embark on a new and ambitious strategy, the experiences of our new board members promise to be invaluable in assisting our organisation accelerate our translational activities to bring benefits to patients,” says Hamish Ryder, Chief Executive Officer for Therapeutic Innovation. “We are delighted that their desire to make an impact matches our own.”