Arcus Biosciences Appoints Richard Markus, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Medical Officer
Arcus Bioscience a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical Officer company focused on developing novel molecules and combination therapies for cancer treatment, has announced the appointment of Richard Markus, M.D., Ph.D., as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective January 31, 2025. Dr. Markus succeeds Dimitry Nuyten, M.D., Ph.D., who will be departing the company at the end of January to pursue other opportunities. In his new role, Dr. Markus will oversee Arcus’s clinical development operations and its expanding late-stage portfolio, which includes four ongoing registrational Phase 3 studies. The first of these, STAR-221, is expected to report results in 2026. Additionally, Arcus is planning to launch a fifth registrational Phase 3 study, PEAK-1, in the first half of 2025. This study will evaluate the company’s HIF-2a inhibitor, casdatifan, in combination with cabozantinib, in patients with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) who have progressed after receiving immunotherapy.
Officer Dr. Markus’s extensive experience in late-stage clinical development will be invaluable as he leads Arcus’s strategy to fully capitalize on the opportunities within its portfolio, driving the company toward its goal of revolutionizing cancer care.
A Strategic Leadership Appointment
The announcement of Officer Dr. Markus’s appointment was met with enthusiasm from the company’s leadership. Terry Rosen, Ph.D., the CEO of Arcus, expressed confidence in Dr. Markus’s ability to advance the company’s late-stage programs toward commercialization. Dr. Rosen noted, “Dr. Markus is a biotechnology industry veteran who will advance our late-stage programs into commercialization. His decades and breadth of clinical development success will solidify Arcus’s emerging position as a leader in creating and developing the next generation of therapies in oncology.” Dr. Rosen further emphasized the company’s progress in advancing its portfolio of investigational therapies, which aim to address several cancers with significant unmet needs. He also acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr. Nuyten, thanking him for building a world-class development organization and leading Arcus through a period of rapid growth.
As CMO, Officer Dr. Markus will play a pivotal role in shaping the clinical development efforts of Arcus Biosciences. He will be responsible for overseeing clinical trials, leading the development of the company’s portfolio, and ensuring that the therapies in development are positioned to meet the needs of cancer patients. With Arcus’s pipeline including drugs designed to be used alongside current standards of care, Dr. Markus’s leadership will be key to translating this potential into clinical practice.
Dr. Markus’s Vision for Arcus Biosciences
Officer Dr. Markus, who has a distinguished background in late-stage drug development, expressed his excitement about joining Arcus at a time of significant growth. “Arcus stands out as a mid-sized biotech company with its breadth and depth of oncology assets and entry into inflammation and immunology; it’s an exciting time to be joining the company,” said Dr. Markus. He also highlighted the transformative potential of Arcus’s portfolio, which aims to improve clinical practice and offer meaningful advancements for cancer patients. “The company’s portfolio of molecules, most of which are being developed on top of the current standards of care, has the potential to change clinical practice with meaningful advancements for patients. I’m looking forward to working with the oncology community and our clinical and business partners to make this a reality.”
Officer Dr. Markus’s perspective reflects the growing importance of combination therapies and next-generation treatments in oncology. With cancer remaining one of the leading causes of death worldwide, the need for innovative therapies that build upon existing standards of care is critical. Arcus’s portfolio includes promising candidates targeting a variety of cancers, and the leadership of Dr. Markus will be central in advancing these treatments through clinical trials and into the market.
Extensive Experience in Late-Stage Development
Officer Dr. Markus brings a wealth of experience to his new role at Arcus. Over the course of a 13-year tenure at Amgen, he held progressively senior roles, culminating in his position as Vice President of Global Development. During his time at Amgen, Dr. Markus played a key role in the development and approval of multiple pharmaceutical products, including those in oncology and rheumatology. His experience in managing large-scale clinical development programs will be invaluable as he leads the next phase of Arcus’s portfolio development.
In addition to his work at Amgen, Officer Dr. Markus made significant contributions to the field of biosimilars, serving as the first head of R&D for Amgen’s biosimilars division. In this capacity, he led the development of a robust pipeline of 10 biosimilars across a range of therapeutic areas, which included oncology and rheumatology. His experience in these areas underscores his ability to navigate complex therapeutic landscapes and to oversee the development of therapies that address unmet medical needs.
Most recently, Officer Dr. Markus served as the founder, president, CEO, and board member of Dantari, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on oncology. At Dantari, he led the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a promising class of targeted cancer therapies. His experience at Dantari further honed his skills in bringing innovative oncology therapies from early-stage development to clinical trials, and he is now poised to bring this expertise to Arcus.
Officer Dr. Markus holds both a medical degree and a Ph.D. in epidemiology from the University of Southern California. He also completed his surgery internship and residency in urology. His medical background, combined with his extensive experience in clinical development, positions him as an ideal leader for Arcus as the company continues to advance its pipeline of cancer therapies.
The Path Forward for Arcus Biosciences
With the appointment of Dr. Markus as CMO, Arcus Biosciences is well-positioned to continue its mission of developing cutting-edge cancer therapies. The company’s portfolio includes molecules targeting a variety of cancers, with a particular focus on combination therapies that have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. The upcoming initiation of the PEAK-1 study, which will evaluate casdatifan in combination with cabozantinib for patients with ccRCC, marks another important step in the company’s clinical development program.
Arcus has already achieved significant milestones, including the progression of multiple registrational Phase 3 trials, and Dr. Markus’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing these programs further. The company’s commitment to addressing high unmet needs in oncology aligns with Dr. Markus’s experience and vision for the future of cancer treatment.
As the company continues to grow and expand its pipeline, Dr. Markus will be tasked with leading Arcus’s efforts to bring its promising therapies to market. His leadership will also be essential in building the infrastructure and culture necessary to continue delivering innovative therapies to patients. As the oncology landscape evolves, Arcus is positioning itself as a leader in the development of next-generation treatments that have the potential to change clinical practice and improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide.
