Dr. Robert L. De Jager, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Pioneering Oncology Drug Developer & Translational Research Leader
A visionary physician-executive with over 40 years of distinguished experience in anticancer drug development, spanning academia and the global biopharmaceutical industry. Dr. De Jager has been instrumental in the clinical strategy and execution for numerous first-in-class therapies, from early translational research through global regulatory approval. His career is defined by foundational contributions to chemotherapy combinations, targeted agents, immunotherapy, and a prolific legacy of scientific publication and mentorship.
Professional Leadership
- Chief Medical Officer, Retrotope, Inc.; Poniard Pharmaceuticals; Kosan Biosciences; Conforma Therapeutics
- Vice President, Oncology R&D, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Corporation
- Director, Medical Research, Akzo-Nobel Biotechnology Research Institute
- Professor of Medicine, Oncology, New Jersey Medical School, UMDNJ/Rutgers
- Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Texas – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Key Areas of Expertise
- Global Anti-Cancer Drug Development Strategy (IND to NDA)
- Phase I-IV Clinical Trial Design & Execution
- Translational Oncology & Clinical Pharmacology
- Regulatory Strategy & Drug Approval
- Monoclonal Antibodies, Immunotherapy & Cancer Vaccines
- Hematology/Oncology & Solid Tumor Therapeutics
- Academic-Industrial Research Collaboration
Career Highlights & Impact
- Pioneered landmark combination chemotherapies, including the first CAF regimen for metastatic breast cancer and the first clinical study of cisplatin in lung cancer.
- Directly contributed to multiple U.S. and international drug approvals, including elliptinium acetate (France), intravesical Tice BCG for bladder carcinoma-in-situ (U.S.), and Ifosfamide & Mesna for testicular cancer (U.S.).
- Played a key role in the development of over 15 novel agents across diverse modalities: cytotoxic chemotherapy (Mitoxantrone, Exatecan), HSP90 inhibitors, radio-labeled monoclonal antibodies for cancer detection/therapy, and gene therapy (E1A gene).
- Authored or co-authored over 200 scientific publications, book chapters, and abstracts, establishing a lasting legacy in the oncology literature.
- Founded and led critical academic research groups as a founding member of the EORTC Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Group and the Early Clinical Trials Group.
- Successfully bridged academia and industry, holding senior faculty positions at world-renowned cancer centers (Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson) while driving pipeline strategy as CMO for multiple biotechnology companies.
Board & Advisory Roles
- Medical Strategy Consultant, Retrotope, Inc.
- Board Member and Advisor, Clinformatrix
- Consultant in anti-cancer drug development strategy and clinical trial implementation.
Education & Advanced Training
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
- Fellowship in Medical Oncology & Clinical Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York
- Residency in Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- Internship, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY
- Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology
Awards, Recognition & Scholarship
- Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP)
- Recognized as a founding contributor to modern oncology clinical research through early work with the EORTC and ECOG cooperative groups.
- Extensive publication record in top-tier journals including Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research, and European Journal of Cancer.
- Frequent invited speaker and reviewer at major international oncology conferences and symposiums.
Professional Affiliations
- American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
- American College of Physicians (Fellow)
- Drug Information Association (DIA)
- New York Academy of Sciences