Al Candia
About Al Candia
Al Candia serves as the Senior Vice President of Preclinical Sciences at IGM Biosciences, Inc., bringing over 20 years of experience in biotechnology. His career includes leadership roles at Dynavax Technologies, Nektar Therapeutics, and Xencor, with a focus on therapeutic areas such as oncology and vaccines.
Current Role at IGM Biosciences
Al Candia serves as the Senior Vice President of Preclinical Sciences at IGM Biosciences, Inc. since 2022. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing preclinical research and development efforts. His work focuses on advancing projects in various therapeutic areas, leveraging his extensive experience in biotechnology. IGM Biosciences is located in Mountain View, California, where Candia contributes to the company's mission of developing innovative therapies.
Previous Experience at Dynavax Technologies
Candia has a significant history with Dynavax Technologies, where he held multiple roles over a span of several years. He worked as a Senior Scientist from 2007 to 2012, then transitioned to Associate Director from 2012 to 2015, and later served as Director from 2016 to 2019. His tenure at Dynavax Technologies allowed him to develop expertise in various therapeutic areas, contributing to the company's research and development initiatives.
Leadership Role at Nektar Therapeutics
From 2019 to 2022, Al Candia served as Vice President at Nektar Therapeutics in San Francisco, California. In this leadership position, he was responsible for guiding teams and projects within the organization. His role involved strategic decision-making and fostering relationships to support the company's objectives in the biotechnology sector.
Educational Background and Expertise
Al Candia holds a Ph.D. in Cell Biology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he studied from 1989 to 1994. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Chemistry from Bucknell University, completing his studies there from 1985 to 1989. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his over 20 years of experience in biotechnology, focusing on therapeutic areas such as oncology, vaccines, inflammation/autoimmunity, and cardiovascular disease.
Professional Skills and Recognition
Candia is recognized for his strong leadership and team-building skills, which have been instrumental in fostering internal and external relationships throughout his career. He has a proven ability to identify and mitigate risks, successfully advancing projects to meet corporate goals and timelines. His excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills further enhance his effectiveness in the biotechnology field.