#USA #New York City #AML #Deerfield #Peter Steelman

Deerfield Management Hosts Third Annual AML Summit

Deerfield Management, together with the Deerfield Foundation, recently unveiled the recipient of the prestigious Peter Steelman Scholar Award ahead of its third Annual Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Summit. This cornerstone event aims to unite industry experts, healthcare leaders, and stakeholders to further research and amplify efforts against AML, a severe form of bone marrow cancer.

This year, Dr. Gabriele Casirati, an accomplished hematologist and instructor at Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has been named the 2025 award recipient. Dr. Casirati has made significant strides in immune engineering for acute leukemias, particularly in enhancing immunotherapies for patients battling blood cancers. His impactful research touches on vital areas including gene-editing methods that aim to bolster the efficacy and safety of treatments like bone marrow transplants and CAR-T cell therapies.

Dr. Ross L. Levine, Senior Vice President at Memorial Hospital Translational Research and the AML Summit Chair, commended Dr. Casirati's remarkable contributions, stating, "Congratulations to Gabriele Casirati, whose exceptional work underscores the legacy of this award honoring our former friend and Deerfield colleague, Peter Steelman, and his enduring commitment to advancing healthcare." The partnership with the American Society of Hematology (ASH) for this award is expected to inspire ongoing advancements in AML therapy and research.

Scheduled for October 7, 2025, the AML Summit is set to feature leading experts in the field, who will discuss their research and innovative approaches to AML. Notable keynote speaker, Dr. Ravindra Majeti, is anticipated to present groundbreaking work focused on characterizing and targeting leukemia stem cells through molecular and genomic research.

Dr. Majeti expressed his enthusiasm for the summit, emphasizing the critical need for collaboration and innovation within the AML research community: "I'm honored to join the Acute Myeloid Leukemia Summit, where leading experts gather to tackle some of the field's most pressing challenges. Advancing research in AML has never been more important as we strive to improve outcomes for patients."

In addition to Dr. Majeti, the summit will bring together renowned figures in hematology, including:

• - Dr. Ned Sharpless, a distinguished physician-scientist and former Director of the National Cancer Institute;
• - Dr. Konstantinos Tzelepis, Principal Investigator at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute;
• - Dr. Eirini Papapetrou, Director of the Center for Advancement of Blood Cancer Therapies;
• - Dr. Alex Kentsis, an expert in developmental oncology at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, among others.

Understanding AML is crucial, as it represents the most common acute leukemia among adults, characterized by the production of immature white blood cells that fail to develop properly. The American Cancer Society anticipates that around 22,010 Americans will be diagnosed with AML and roughly 11,090 will succumb to the illness in 2025 alone.

The ASH Peter Steelman Scholar Award, established by Deerfield Management and Deerfield Foundation in partnership with ASH, aims to support groundbreaking research in AML. Designed to ease the transition for emerging researchers from training to independent careers, this prestigious award is integral to the ASH Scholar Award program. Beneficiaries receive comprehensive support including funding for professional development and inviting opportunities for collaboration with Deerfield's extensive academic network.

Named in memory of Peter Steelman, a former Deerfield partner whose legacy embodies compassion and dedication, the award perpetuates his vision for advancing blood cancer research.

The Deerfield Foundation, a not-for-profit group based in New York City, complements Deerfield Management's mission to enhance health, foster innovation, and promote equity in healthcare. Established in 2007, the foundation has engaged in numerous initiatives ranging from local clinics to international health projects.

For those eager to stay updated on newly emerging treatments in AML and to explore collaborative research opportunities, the AML Summit presents an invaluable opportunity to learn from and network with esteemed leaders in the field. Further details can be accessed through Deerfield Management's official website.