MANAGEMENT AND TEAM
Dr. Wafik El-Deiry
MD, PhD, FACP
Wafik S. El-Deiry, MD, PhD, FACP is the Scientific Founder and Chairman of p53-Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. El-Deiry has been studying the p53 pathways for 30 years.
He discovered p21(WAF1) as the first mammalian cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor as a p53 target, a discovery that led to a novel class of anti-cancer drugs (CDK4/6 inhibitors). He discovered TRAIL receptor DR5 connecting p53 to the innate immune system and small molecule ONC201/TIC10 that has shown exceptional clinical responses in patients with brain and other tumors. He is currently viewed as one of the most prominent leaders in basic research and translational drug development having introduced several compounds into the clinic as a translational expert, academic leader and entrepreneur.
Dr. El-Deiry is the Associate Dean for Oncologic Sciences at the Warren Alpert Medical School and Director of Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University. He is an American Cancer Society Research Professor and previously was Deputy Director for Translational Research at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Chief of Hematology-Oncology Penn State University and tenured professor of Medicine (Hem-Onc), Genetics and Pharmacology at U. Penn. In 2024, he has >500 publications, >105,000 citations & H-index of 128.
MANAGEMENT
Wolfgang Oster
MD, PhD
Wolfgang Oster, MD, PhD is co-Founder and CEO of p53-Therapeutics. He trained in Europe and the US, and holds board certifications for internal medicine, hematology, and oncology, a PhD in hemostaseology as well as a “Habilitation” degree (“Privatdozent”) in Germany.
He served as Adjunct Professor at Brown Medical School and at University of Freiburg, Germany. He authored > 120 publications and received the Johann Georg Zimmermann Award for Cancer Research. He is a longtime member of ASH, ASCO and AACR. His industry career included leadership positions in large pharma companies (Hoechst, Aventis), C-level positions including long-term CEO positions in biotech companies (US Bioscience, Medimmune, NeoRx, Oncoceutics, etc) and Managing Partner in a VC fund (Polytechnos Venture Partners). During his tenure as Executive, Board Member and Investor he oversaw multiple developments of drugs, diagnostics and medical devices from earliest stages to market introduction in all relevant global markets.
He was involved in some of the most prominent developments and approvals over the past two decades, including hematopoietic growth factors, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies, cytotoxic and cytoprotective agents, methylation-based technologies for diagnostic purposes, interventional technologies in neurology and cardiology etc. At PolyTechnos he built a life science portfolio leading to multiple U.S. and European IPOs, including Devgen, Jerini, Addex, OMS, and Micrus, as well as trade sales, including BiPar, Jerini and Micrus. Dr. Oster has been serving on multiple Boards of Directors, often as the Chairman. Dr. Oster is also President of Airflow Abatement Corporation, and Senior Partner at SOMAX LLC, a transatlantic consulting company. He lectured at Universities of Mainz, Freiburg, Brown University, & the Wharton School at U. Penn.
p53 Drug Discovery & Development
OUR MISSION
Develop and deliver new small molecule cancer therapeutics that effectively restore signaling through bypass of mutations in genome guardian tumor suppressor p53 to treat patients with cancer.