Kristen M. Hege M.D. - 2022 Recipient
Senior Vice President, Early Clinical Development, Hematology/Oncology and Cell Therapy, Bristol Myers Squibb
At BMS, Dr. Hege is responsible for advancing a pipeline of small molecules, biologics and cell therapies from first-in-human studies through clinical proof-of-concept. In addition, she led the bluebird-partnered BCMA CAR T cell program (Abecma) in multiple myeloma from inception through FDA approval. Prior to BMS, she held a similar role at Celgene as well as executive roles in biotech at Cell Genesys, Cellerant, and Theraclone.
In 2015, Dr. Hege was recognized by Fierce Biotech as one of the top 12 women in Biopharma, in 2019 by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association as a “Luminary”, and in 2021 by San Francisco Business Times as one of the most influential women in Bay Area business and by PharmaVOICE as 100 of the most inspiring people.
In addition to her work at BMS, Dr. Hege is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF where she sees patients with blood cancers weekly. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Mersana Therapeutics and Graphite Bio and served on the Board of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer for a 3-year term from 2016-2019.
Dr. Hege received her M.D. at UCSF and internal medicine and hematology/oncology subspecialty training at Harvard and UCSF, respectively. In 2015 she was recognized by Fierce Biotech as one of the top 12 women in Biopharma, in 2019 by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association as a “Luminary”, and in 2021 by San Francisco Business Times as one of the most influential women in Bay Area business and by PharmVOICE as 100 of the most inspiring people. Her career path and long history with CAR T cell development was featured as one of 25 physicians and scientists recognized as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of Nature Medicine.