BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Verastem, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat breast and other cancers by targeting cancer stem cells, today announced that co-founder and co-chair of the Scientific Advisory Board, Robert Weinberg, Ph.D., has won the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Science of Oncology Award.
Dr. Weinberg is being honored for furthering the understanding of cancer through his innovative and groundbreaking research. Dr. Weinberg will receive the award and present the plenary keynote on cancer stem cells and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) on Sunday, June 5 at 1:00 pm in Chicago. The ASCO annual meeting draws over 32,000 attendees each year. A Founding Member of Whitehead Institute (MIT), Dr. Weinberg is a pioneer in cancer research most widely known for his discoveries of the first human oncogene, the first tumor suppressor gene, and the role of cancer stem cells and EMT in human carcinomas.
Dr. Weinberg and Dr. Douglas Hanahan wrote the seminal paper, "The Hallmarks of Cancer," proposing the 6 requirements for one renegade cell to cause a deadly cancer in January 2000 -- this is the most widely cited article in Cell. Drs. Weinberg and Hanahan updated the Hallmarks in 2011 to reflect research progress over the past 10 years, including the role of cancer stem cells and EMT as a cause of cancer recurrence and metastasis.
About Verastem, Inc.
Verastem, Inc. is a private biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing drugs to treat breast and other cancers by targeting cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are an underlying cause of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Verastem is translating breakthrough discoveries in cancer stem cell research into new medicines for the treatment of major cancers such as breast cancer.
Verastem was founded by Rich Aldrich, Michelle Dipp, Piyush Gupta, Satish Jindal, Eric Lander, Robert Weinberg and Christoph Westphal. Verastem is backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Cardinal Partners, Longwood Founders Fund, and MPM Capital. For more information, please visit www.verastem.com
CONTACT:
Weber Shandwick
Lacy Roosevelt, 617-520-7052
[email protected]
KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Stem Cells Health Biotechnology Oncology Pharmaceutical General Health
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