John Walter to Lead Nonprofit Into Next Chapter with Major Focus on Treating Cancer and Forging Partnerships
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to cell and gene therapies for cancer, announced today that it has brought on John Walter as its new CEO and president. Walter will lead the organization and be the successor to the co-founder and president Barbara Netter. Walter is the former CEO of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society whose legacy at the Society included dramatically expanding research to focus on partnerships with biotech and academia. He is also credited with increasing the Society’s funding to more than $320 million annually. At ACGT, Walter will continue to support scientific cancer gene/cell and immunotherapy research, which has recently proven to be some of the most exciting advances in treating cancer.
Barbara Netter co-founded ACGT with her late husband Edward (1933-2011) in 2001 after their daughter-in-law’s death from breast cancer and they were inspired to create the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated to cell and gene therapies after attending a lecture on gene therapy.
“Edward Netter was the primary champion of gene therapy and what Edward envisioned is coming to pass,” noted Barbara Netter. “Prior to 2001, there were no gene therapy treatments. Now we are seeing gene therapy success with commercialization. Several companies are finding gene therapy as a significant platform for investment.”
ACGT has accomplished many milestones during the past 15 years under the helm of Barbara and Edward Netter. The organization has funded 50 scientific grants in the U.S. and Canada to conduct and accelerate critically needed innovative cancer research. Since its inception, ACGT has awarded 34 grants to Young Investigators and 16 grants to Clinical Investigators, totaling more than $26.4 million in funding. ACGT was one of the initial funding partners for the pilot program on the breakthrough cancer research on successfully treating leukemia through gene therapy that was pioneered by Dr. Carl June at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Michel Sadelain at Memorial Sloan Kettering. This work has been touted in recent national documentaries on cancer on PBS and HBO featuring several ACGT scientists.
“I am thrilled to be coming on board to lead the vision and direction of ACGT,” said John Walter. “ACGT’s focus in cell, gene and immunotherapy for uncovering treatments for all cancer, as well as the remarkable people that make up the board and scientific advisory council, were major considerations as to why I came on board. This is truly an incredible time to be working in cancer research with significant breakthroughs on the way for patients.”
Prior to joining ACGT, John Walter led The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and was there for 18 years in several positions from CEO, COO, executive vice president of Strategic Alliances & Business Development, CFO, and senior vice president of Finance & Information Technology.
About Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT)
Established in 2001, ACGT is the nation’s only non-profit dedicated exclusively to cell and gene therapy treatments for all types of cancer. One hundred percent of contributions go directly to research. To learn more, visit acgtfoundation.org.
Contacts
JHPR
Jenifer Howard, 203-273-4246
jhoward@jhowardpr.com
