The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) Grows Leadership Team to Accelerate Precision Medicine and Cures

NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) announced today the addition of two new senior executives, including the organization's first-ever Chief Data Officer Steve Labkoff, MD, FACMI, FACP, as well as Chief Operating Officer Michael Andreini. Dr. Labkoff is responsible for optimizing the organization's data collection, aggregation and analytics strategy to deliver value to the MMRF and its partners, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes; Mr. Andreini will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, key alliances across the Foundation, and supporting full execution of the MMRF strategic plan.

Dr. Labkoff and Mr. Andreini will join Daniel Auclair, PhD, who has been recently promoted to Chief Scientific Officer, and Anne Quinn Young, MPH, who has been promoted to Chief Marketing and Development Officer, on the Executive Team. Dr. Auclair and Ms. Quinn Young have been working in support of the organization's mission for a combined 25 years. Dr. Auclair oversees the MMRF's $30 million research portfolio, including the MMRF CoMMpass study and the MyDRUG platform trial. Ms. Quinn Young is responsible for leading all development efforts, marketing and communications, and patient engagement and education programs.

Kathy Giusti, Founder and Chief Mission Officer of the MMRF, will continue to set the vision for the organization, which includes oversight of the MMRF's strategic plan, with a focus on developing partnerships across research, drug development, and health care delivery, to align incentives that drive precision medicine and cures for patients.

"The MMRF is embarking on the next phase of an ambitious plan to accelerate major breakthroughs for patients," says Paul Giusti, President and Chief Executive Officer of the MMRF. "Having the right team in place is absolutely critical to executing this plan and with such talented, experienced executives joining our impressive organization, we will be well-positioned for success. We are thrilled to have the team working together to make precision medicine a reality for every patient."

Dr. Labkoff is a global medical leader with a track record of developing cutting edge strategies towards new healthcare delivery models. He joined the MMRF after a 25-year career in healthcare informatics where he worked on a wide array of issues ranging from the secondary uses of healthcare data, health information technology policy, big data, analytics, and medical affairs in life science companies and academic medical centers.

Mr. Andreini brings over 12 years of strategic consulting and operational experience in the life sciences industry. Prior to joining the MMRF, he was an Associate Principal at IQVIA in the consulting services organization where he led complex engagements for biopharma, medical device, and non-profit organizations across diverse solution areas, including commercial assessments, portfolio analysis, R&D and launch strategy and operational execution.

About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the plasma cell. It is the second most common blood cancer. An estimated 30,770 adults (16,400 men and 14,730 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with MM in 2019 and an estimated 12,770 people are predicted to die from the disease. The five-year survival rate for MM is approximately 47%, versus 31% in 1999.

About the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
The mission of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is to find a cure for multiple myeloma by relentlessly pursuing innovation that accelerates the development of next-generation treatments to extend the lives of patients. Founded in 1998 by Kathy Giusti, a multiple myeloma patient, and her twin sister Karen Andrews as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, the MMRF is a world-recognized leader in cancer research. Together with its partners, the MMRF has created the only end-to-end solution in precision medicine and the single largest genomic dataset in all cancers. The MMRF continues to disrupt the industry today, as a pioneer and leader at the helm of new research efforts. Since its inception, the organization has raised over $400 million and directs nearly 90% of the total funds to research and related programs. To learn more, visit www.themmrf.org.

Media Contacts
Anne Quinn Young, MPH
Chief Marketing and Development Officer
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF)
203-536-8691
quinnyounga@themmrf.org

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SOURCE Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation