Priti Hegde
About Priti Hegde
Priti Hegde serves as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Kite Research at Kite Pharma, where she focuses on advancing genomic profiling in cancer research. With over 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, she previously held key roles at Foundation Medicine and Genentech, contributing significantly to cancer immunotherapy and drug development.
Current Role at Kite Pharma
Priti Hegde serves as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Research at Kite Pharma. She has held this position since 2023. In her role, she focuses on advancing research initiatives within the company, contributing to the development of innovative therapies in the field of cancer treatment.
Previous Experience at Foundation Medicine
Prior to her current role, Hegde was the Chief Scientific Officer at Foundation Medicine from 2019 to 2023. During her tenure, she led the strategic research roadmap, which included early-stage research, diagnostic product development, and cancer genomics. She was instrumental in the translation of clinical trial data to support the registration of the immunotherapy treatment, Tecentriq®.
Career at Genentech
Hegde worked at Genentech for over a decade, serving as Senior Director from 2007 to 2019. She established and led a global team responsible for translational science strategies in cancer immunotherapy. Her leadership contributed to significant advancements in the field during her time at the company.
Educational Background
Priti Hegde holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemical Pharmacology from the University at Buffalo, where she studied from 1993 to 1997. She also earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Bombay, completing her degree from 1989 to 1993. Her educational background laid the foundation for her extensive career in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Expertise in Cancer Immunotherapy
With over 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical and life sciences industries, Hegde has a strong focus on cancer immunotherapy and genomic profiling. She is passionate about translating molecular insights into treatment options for cancer patients and has an impressive track record in drug discovery and development in oncology.