Paz Vellanki, MD, PhD, in a Leading Role at Precision for Medicine

The Arrival of Dr. Paz Vellanki at Precision for Medicine

In a significant development within the realm of clinical research, Precision for Medicine has announced the appointment of Dr. Paz Vellanki, MD, PhD, as the Vice President of Clinical Development for Oncology. The timing of her addition could not be better, as she joins two other former leaders from the FDA’s oncology division, creating a formidable team at Precision for Medicine.

Dr. Vellanki previously served as the Associate Director of the Division of Oncology 2 at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In her tenure, she was pivotal in overseeing drug development and regulatory decisions related to critical therapeutic areas, including lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and rare tumors. Her extensive experience at the FDA has equipped her with unparalleled insights into the intricacies of the regulatory landscape, making her an invaluable asset to life sciences companies navigating the complexities of drug development.

A Trio of Expertise

The joining of Dr. Vellanki forms a powerful trio of regulatory experts at Precision for Medicine. Along with Dr. Harpreet Singh, who previously led the FDA's oncology division, and Dr. Nicholas Richardson, former Deputy Director of the Division of Hematologic Malignancies 2, Precision is uniquely positioned to provide clients with expert guidance through the challenges of drug development. This concentration of former FDA leaders not only enhances Precision’s regulatory capability but also sets the organization apart from other contract research organizations (CROs).

Daisy DeWeese-Gatt, President of Clinical Solutions at Precision for Medicine, expressed her enthusiasm about Dr. Vellanki's arrival, stating, "Paz's addition is a defining moment for Precision for Medicine. With three former FDA oncology leaders on board, we are better equipped to assist life sciences companies in bringing precision therapies to market more expediently, ultimately benefitting a larger patient population."

Dr. Vellanki’s Background

Dr. Vellanki earned her MD and PhD and completed a medical oncology fellowship at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, following which she embarked on her journey at the FDA in 2019. Over the course of nearly seven years, she climbed the ranks from a primary reviewer to Associate Director, gaining deep expertise in Investigational New Drug applications, clinical trial design, and regulatory strategy.

Notably, she led the technical efforts on the FDA's guidance concerning circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for early-stage solid tumors, collaborated on the FDA's Project Endpoint Working Group, and served as the FDA's liaison to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), where she contributed to the FDA-AACR Fellowship Program. Furthermore, Dr. Vellanki has continued to practice clinically at the University of Maryland, seeing patients with head and neck cancer, thus maintaining her connection to patient care while driving research efforts.

The Importance of Regulatory Expertise

Commenting on her new position, Dr. Vellanki stated, "There has never been a more crucial time for drug developers to have the right regulatory expertise in their toolkit. I am excited to contribute my FDA experience to Precision for Medicine, positioning myself as a true partner to life sciences companies aspiring to advance innovative, lifesaving therapies. This is especially important in the area of rare tumors, where many patients are still awaiting effective treatment options."

About Precision for Medicine

Precision for Medicine is renowned as the first biomarker-driven clinical research organization dedicated to supporting life sciences companies in utilizing biomarkers to target patient treatments more effectively. The organization employs a transformative approach to clinical research, seamlessly integrating clinical trial design and execution with deep scientific knowledge, laboratory capabilities, and advanced data analytics. This innovative model is driving accelerated clinical development and approvals.

With a diverse workforce of 3,500 professionals located in over 40 global offices, including North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, Precision continues to set the benchmark in clinical research and development. Learn more about their innovative services at PrecisionForMedicine.com.