Katherine Block, PhD, Pmp
About Katherine Block, PhD, Pmp
Katherine Block, PhD, PMP, serves as the Director of Biomarker Sciences at Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., where she leads the development of companion diagnostics. With extensive experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, she has held various roles at notable companies including Pfizer, Agilent Technologies, and AbbVie.
Current Role at Sangamo Therapeutics
Katherine Block serves as the Director of Biomarker Sciences at Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc., a position she has held since 2020. In this role, she leads the development of companion diagnostics for late-stage assets, focusing on strategy, partner selection, and execution. She has developed and implemented biomarker strategies specifically for gene and cell therapy programs within the organization. Her work involves collaborating with cross-functional and global project teams to ensure that key deliverables are met on time and with high quality.
Previous Experience in the Biotech Industry
Katherine Block has extensive experience in the biotech industry, having held various roles prior to her current position. She worked at AbbVie as Associate Director of Companion Diagnostics from 2018 to 2020. Before that, she served as a Senior Scientist and Team Leader at Genoptix Medical Laboratory, a Novartis Company, from 2012 to 2015. Additionally, she was a Project Manager for Companion Diagnostics at Agilent Technologies from 2015 to 2018 and a Senior Development Scientist and Technical Lead at Beckman Coulter from 2010 to 2012.
Educational Background
Katherine Block earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis, where she studied from 1999 to 2001. She then pursued her Ph.D. in Drug Discovery and Development, focusing on Molecular and Cellular Biology and Cancer Biology, at the University of Arizona from 2004 to 2010. Her educational background has provided her with a strong foundation in the scientific principles relevant to her current work in biomarker sciences.
Expertise in Companion Diagnostics
Katherine Block is recognized for her expertise in developing partnership agreements for companion diagnostics within a matrix organization. She has a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and building strong relationships across various departments and sites. Her proficiency in this area has been instrumental in her roles, particularly in the development of strategies for late-stage assets and the execution of biomarker strategies for therapeutic programs.