Rye Brook, N.Y. (June 28, 2016) – Renzo Canetta, M.D., former vice president of Oncology Global Clinical Research and of Global Regulatory Oncology Research Policy at Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), has been elected to the national board of directors of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), effective July 1, 2016. His term will run through June 30, 2019 and is subject to renewal.
Dr. Canetta has more than 35 years of clinical and regulatory cancer research experience at BMS. At the forefront of cancer research, he has seen firsthand how innovation has transformed cancer treatment. His experience includes direct patient care, diagnosis and experimental treatment of cancers that affect blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes, as well as solid tumors, methodology of clinical trials and new drug development.
Since joining BMS in 1980, he has held multiple leadership roles, including head of Clinical Cancer Research, head of Development on the Life Cycle Management team, and head of Regulatory Oncology Research Policy. Dr. Canetta and his team developed 16 new drugs to treat cancer and two to treat viral infections, and received approval of more than 50 regulatory dossiers for additional indications and formulations.
In particular, Dr. Canetta was involved in the development and first-ever regulatory approval for a drug directed to the treatment of a pediatric leukemia as well as the development program for the first immuno-oncology drug directed to the treatment of lymphoma. Dr. Canetta retired from BMS on August 14, 2015.
Dr.Canetta received his medical and surgical degree from the University of Milan. He also received his state certification in oncology from the Italian National Cancer Institute in Milan, and his board certification in laboratory and clinical hematology from the University of Milan.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.