Chris Shepherd

Christopher is an esteemed oncology expert with over 12 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, complemented by an additional nine years of academic research in oncology. His extensive career covers a broad spectrum from early-stage clinical development to late-phase oncology trials, with particular expertise in solid tumors. Currently, Shepherd serves as the Owner and Director of Chris Shepherd Oncology Consulting, providing strategic consulting to small and medium-sized oncology biotech companies. His career foundation in translational medicine and preclinical oncology research has positioned him as a prominent leader in oncology clinical strategy, effectively guiding companies through comprehensive clinical trial designs, development, and execution.

Beginning his career in academia, Shepherd gained substantial expertise in oncology research and earned his PhD in Molecular Pathology and Cancer Therapeutics from The Institute of Cancer Research in London. Transitioning into the pharmaceutical industry, he has held multiple senior leadership roles within various international pharmaceutical and biotech organisations. Notably, Shepherd served as Vice President of Clinical Development at F-star Therapeutics, Senior Vice President of Early Development at TheraPPI, Clinical Development Consultant at Inovio Pharmaceuticals, and Director of Clinical Research at AstraZeneca, where he successfully led pivotal oncology drug development programs. His professional strengths include the development of innovative clinical strategies, management of cross-functional teams, and active engagement with key stakeholders to propel early-phase oncology programs.

With extensive expertise in designing and implementing clinical development plans, Shepherd specialises in oncology. His capabilities encompass the creation of innovative clinical strategies and development plans for novel therapies, including small molecules, large molecules, immuno-oncology agents, and therapeutic vaccines targeted at solid tumors. He has significant experience in guiding first-in-human (FIH) studies through to proof-of-concept (PoC), applying decision science methodologies in drug discovery and indication selection, and effectively collaborating with statisticians and scientific teams on protocol and synopsis designs. Additionally, Shepherd excels in clinical data analytics and interpretation, as well as the strategic selection of clinical sites and investigators across Europe and the USA. He actively engages with external academic institutions and advisory panels and demonstrates strong leadership capabilities, notably serving as Asset CEO for development-stage biotherapeutics.

Beyond his professional roles, Shepherd remains actively involved in various academic societies and oncology committees, significantly contributing to advancements in clinical oncology and cancer therapeutics. His regular participation in prestigious international conferences, including ASCO and ESMO, along with his numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, underscores his ongoing dedication to advancing cancer research and improving patient treatment outcomes.