Blake Aftab
About Blake Aftab
Blake Aftab is the Chief Scientific Officer at Adicet Bio, with nearly two decades of experience in academia, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries, specializing in the development of various therapeutic modalities.
Chief Scientific Officer at Adicet Bio
Blake Aftab joined Adicet Bio as Chief Scientific Officer in April 2021. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in academia, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries to the role, Aftab plays a key role in driving the company's scientific and research strategies. He leads various research and development initiatives, aiming to advance the company's therapeutic modalities including small molecules, biologics, antibody-drug conjugates, and cell therapies.
Previous Roles and Experience
Before joining Adicet Bio, Blake Aftab was Vice President and Head of Preclinical Science and Translational Medicine at Atara Biotherapeutics, Inc. At Atara, he contributed to the company's initial transition to cell therapy, laying the groundwork for their Allo-CAR T cell capabilities. He led various research programs, focusing on advancing the company’s preclinical science and clinical translation efforts.
Research Contributions at University of California, San Francisco
At the University of California, San Francisco, Blake Aftab led multiple research programs centered on drug discovery and clinical translation in multiple myeloma. His early research supported targeted approaches for CD38 and other impactful targets of interest for CAR-T therapies. This work contributed significantly to the advancement of targeted therapies in the field.
Educational Background
Blake Aftab holds a Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a leading institution known for its advanced research programs. Additionally, he earned a B.Sc. in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery from The University of California, Santa Barbara, providing a solid foundation for his career in scientific research and biotechnology.