Morristown-based Whitehawk Therapeutics, an oncology therapeutics company specializing in improved antibody drug conjugate (ADC) cancer treatments, recently announced the appointment of Dr. Margaret Dugan, as its chief medical officer.
Dugan brings more than 30 years of global oncology drug development experience, with deep expertise in early-stage clinical development and regulatory strategy, positioning Whitehawk to advance its ADC programs toward clinical trials.
Whitehawk’s leadership highlighted Dugan’s qualifications in rapidly advancing therapeutic candidates.
“Her strategic insight and deep early-development expertise strengthen our ability to design efficient, signal-rich clinical studies and rapidly translate our ADC portfolio into potentially impactful therapies for patients,” Dave Lennon, president and CEO of Whitehawk Therapeutics said.
Dugan’s career includes more than 15 years at Novartis, where she built and led the early development organization, advancing multiple programs from proof-of-concept to full clinical development and supporting global regulatory approvals. She has overseen more than 12 Phase 1 programs and was responsible for numerous regulatory approvals, including capmatinib, ceritinib, and temozolomide.
Before joining Whitehawk, Dugan served as CMO at Schrödinger, where she built the clinical function and successfully delivered three Phase 1 assets into the clinic, advancing one program to Phase 2 readiness in less than 18 months. She began her career as a medical oncologist and investigator, bridging translational science with late-stage execution.
Dugan expressed enthusiasm for Whitehawk’s strategic approach to cancer treatment.
“I’m excited to join Whitehawk during this important time in the company as we seek to move into clinical development,” Dr. Dugan said. “Whitehawk’s approach combines smart target selection with a differentiated ADC profile, creating a compelling opportunity to deliver on the promise of next-generation ADC therapies. I’m looking forward to joining this talented team as we advance our portfolio with the aim of having a meaningful impact for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.”
Whitehawk Therapeutics focuses on applying advanced technologies to established tumor biology to create improved ADC treatments. The company’s advanced three-asset ADC portfolio is in-licensed from WuXi Biologics under an exclusive development and global commercialization agreement.
