MMRF Expands Leadership Responsibilities and Aligns Organization for Future Growth
NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is proud to announce the promotion of Walter M. Capone from Chief Operating Officer to President of the MMRF, effective on December 16, 2013. In his new role Mr. Capone will assume full responsibility for the organization and its operations. He will report directly to Kathy Giusti, MMRF Founder and CEO.
"Walter's experience in developing and taking a strategic vision and executing on that vision will further strengthen the MMRF and its position as the largest private funder for accelerated research, education and treatment for multiple myeloma"
"Walter's experience in developing and taking a strategic vision and executing on that vision will further strengthen the MMRF and its position as the largest private funder for accelerated research, education and treatment for multiple myeloma," said Ms. Giusti. "He possesses the leadership skills needed to successfully take on the ambitious programs that have expanded our reputation as innovators in the field of cancer research and pioneers in making precision medicine a reality for our patients. Walter has also transformed our business model to reach new levels of growth and developed the innovative strategies needed to build new collaborative relationships with pharmaceutical, biotech companies and research institutes while extending our geographical reach worldwide."
Mr. Capone joined the MMRF in July of 2010 as Chief Operating Officer where he focused his efforts on accelerating cures by bringing together researchers and clinicians with the pharma, biotech, and diagnostic industries. He spearheaded the development of the groundbreaking MMRF CoMMpassSM Study, a longitudinal study involving more than 50 academic and community centers in following 1,000 myeloma patients from the time of their diagnosis through their journey with the disease.
He was also instrumental in building the technology platform to launch the MMRF Researcher Gateway and the MMRF CoMMunity Gateway. As a result, doctors and researchers worldwide now have open access to clinical and genomic data enabling and expediting the classification of myeloma patients and matching them to more precise and optimal treatments.
Mr. Capone has 20 years of pharmaceutical and biotechnology leadership experience in the areas of commercial development, operations, finance, marketing and sales both within the United States and internationally. Before joining the MMRF, he served as Vice President of Commercial Development and Operations at Progenics Pharmaceuticals working with their global partner Wyeth/Pfizer to commercialize the company's first approved drug, RELISTOR®.
Mr. Capone received his BA in International Relations from Brown University and has an MBA in Finance and International Business from Columbia University Business School.
In addition to representing the MMRF at US and international conferences on the topics of accelerated drug development and business innovation, this past August Mr. Capone was selected for the prestigious 2013 PharmaVOICE 100 that recognizes leaders for their contributions in positively impacting the Life Sciences industry through their influence and actions.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer. The five-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is approximately 43 percent, one of the lowest of all cancers. In 2013, more than 22,000 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma and nearly 11,000 people are predicted to die from the disease.
About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy's diagnosis with multiple myeloma. The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. As the world's number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised over $240 million since its inception and directs 90% of total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigator's coveted four-star rating for 11 consecutive years, the highest designation for outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. For more information about the MMRF, please visit: www.themmrf.org.
Contacts
Media:
MMRF
Dwain Schenck
203-223-5230
[email protected]