Jukka Hartikka, PhD
About Jukka Hartikka, PhD
Jukka Hartikka, PhD, serves as the Associate Director of Regulatory Medical Writing at Kite Pharma, bringing over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Basel and has expertise in oncology and vaccine development.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Jukka Hartikka serves as the Associate Director of Regulatory Medical Writing at Kite Pharma, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the preparation and submission of regulatory documents, ensuring compliance with FDA and ICH guidelines. His expertise contributes to the development of innovative therapies in the biotechnology sector, particularly in oncology.
Previous Experience in Biotechnology
Hartikka has over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. He previously worked at Puma Biotechnology, Inc. as a Senior Medical Writer and Associate Director of Medical Writing from 2014 to 2020. He also held roles at Vical, where he served as a Medical Writer and later as Research Scientist and Associate Director of Vaccinology, contributing significantly to clinical development and vaccine research.
Educational Background
Jukka Hartikka earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry from the University of Basel. He also holds a Master of Science (MS) in Physiology from the University of Turku. His academic background includes extensive research in neurobiology and molecular biology during his time at the University of Miami, where he was a PhD student and Research Associate.
Expertise in Oncology and Vaccines
Hartikka possesses specialized knowledge in oncology, particularly in breast cancer and melanoma. He has also worked on vaccines targeting cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza, and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). His experience spans various aspects of drug development, from initial drug screening in cell cultures to regulatory writing.
Research Experience
In addition to his industry roles, Hartikka has a background in academic research. He was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Germany for four months in 1992. His research experience includes significant contributions to the fields of neurochemistry and clinical development.