IDEAYA Biosciences Appoints Dr Theodora Ross, A Former AbbVie Oncology R&D Leader As Chief Development Officer To Advance Precision Oncology Pipeline

IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. has appointed Theodora Ross, M.D., PhD, to the newly established role of Chief Development Officer. In this position, Dr Ross will oversee early clinical development across IDEAYA’s expanding precision oncology pipeline and help shape the company’s long-term research and development strategy. She joins IDEAYA from AbbVie, where she most recently served as Vice President, Head of Early Oncology R&D, and Bay Area Site Head.

Dr. Ross brings more than three decades of oncology experience spanning both industry and academia. At AbbVie, she led five early-stage oncology programmes from first-in-human studies through Phase I/II proof-of-concept trials across multiple solid tumor indications. She also played a key role as R&D champion in AbbVie’s $10 billion acquisition of Immunogen, which added the marketed solid tumor therapy Elahere to the company’s portfolio.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ross to IDEAYA as we advance our deep pipeline of potential first-in-class clinical-stage assets. Theo is an exceptionally talented and accomplished clinician with a proven track-record leading clinical execution and pipeline strategy for multiple global pharma companies. We look forward to her joining the IDEAYA leadership team to help drive our ambitious clinical development plan forward to support our next phase of growth," said Yujiro S. Hata, President and Chief Executive Officer of IDEAYA Biosciences.

Prior to AbbVie, Dr. Ross held senior leadership roles at Amgen, where she served as Vice President of Global Development, Head of Precision Medicine, and Thoracic Oncology, and at Merck as Vice President of Translational Medicine. Her career reflects extensive expertise in precision medicine, translational research, and early oncology development.

"I am honoured and excited to join IDEAYA as the company advances one of the most innovative and scientifically driven oncology pipelines in biotech. I believe the greatest progress comes when we follow the science with rigor and focus, and when we prioritize what matters most to amplify the impact we can have for patients. IDEAYA has demonstrated that discipline by concentrating on programs and targets with strong scientific rationale and clinical promise, and I can't wait to contribute to that continued focus," said Dr. Ross.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Ross led the Cancer Genetics Department at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and spent 20 years as an oncologist, laboratory scientist, and professor at leading academic institutions including UTSW and the University of Michigan. She earned her B.A. from Kalamazoo College and her M.D. and Ph.D. from Washington University, completed her internal medicine residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and undertook her oncology fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School.