Synopsis:

Garo Armen, Ph.D., is the Chairman and CEO of Agenus, an immuno-oncology company with the goal of treating cancers with novel combinations utilizing its unique portfolio of checkpoint antibodies, tumor microenvironment modifiers, vaccines and adjuvants. After receiving his Ph.D. in chemistry, Dr. Armen worked on Wall Street where he specialized in specialty pharmaceutical companies as well as biotech. Dr. Armen discusses how his personal history was a driving force behind founding Agenus, as well as his perspective on immunology and immunotherapy. He talks about Agenus’s approach to bringing curative therapies to cancer patients by harnessing the power of the immune system. He also discusses his approach to hiring, leveraging external providers and team building.

Biography:

Dr. Garo Armen serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Agenus Inc., which he co-founded in 1994. Under his leadership, Agenus has been advancing breakthrough scientific technologies and immunotherapeutic products. In addition, Garo oversaw the successful restructuring of the biopharmaceutical company Elan Corporation, plc, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Garo currently acts as Chairman of the Board of Protagenic Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focusing on human brain hormones for the treatment of neurological and metabolic disorders. He began his research career at Brookhaven National Laboratory subsequent to which he made a transition to Wall Street, as an analyst and investment banker at EF Hutton and then at Dean Witter Reynolds ( now Morgan Stanley) , cultivating key relationships and stock-market expertise. Garo received his PhD in physical chemistry from the City University of New York.