Ivana Djuretic
About Ivana Djuretic
Ivana Djuretic is a distinguished immunologist and entrepreneur, known for co-founding Asher Bio and her leadership in cytokine biology and cell therapy programs.
Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Asher Bio
Ivana Djuretic co-founded Asher Bio, where she serves as the Chief Scientific Officer. Her role involves overseeing scientific research and development initiatives within the company, with a focus on groundbreaking therapeutic solutions. Her leadership is integral to driving the company’s scientific vision and translating research into clinical progress.
Former Head of Cytokine Biology at Pfizer
Before founding Asher Bio, Ivana Djuretic served as the Head of Cytokine Biology in Pfizer's Cancer Immunology Discovery Unit. Her responsibilities included leading research to understand and utilize cytokines in the treatment of cancer, aiming to develop innovative immunotherapeutic strategies.
Leadership at Celgene in Cell Therapy Programs
At Celgene, Ivana Djuretic led cell therapy programs involving allogeneic NK cells (PNK-007) and autologous T cells. Her work spanned preclinical development through to Investigational New Drug (IND) filing and phase I clinical trials, demonstrating her expertise in advancing cell therapies from concept to clinical application.
Ph.D. in Immunology from Harvard University
Ivana Djuretic earned her Ph.D. in Immunology from Harvard University, marking a significant step in her academic and professional journey. Her doctoral studies provided her with deep insights into the immune system, serving as a foundation for her future work in immunology and cancer biology.
Postdoctoral Research at New York University
Following her Ph.D., Ivana Djuretic conducted postdoctoral research in the lab of Dan Littman at New York University. This phase of her career focused on advanced research in immunology, further solidifying her expertise and preparing her for subsequent roles in both academia and the biotechnology industry.