Benjamin J. Solomon

Benjamin J. Solomon, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, is a Medical Oncologist and Head of the Lung Service at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, and one of the leading global authorities on ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer. He has been a principal investigator on multiple pivotal clinical trials evaluating ALK inhibitors, including PROFILE 1014 with crizotinib and the ALEX and J-ALEX trials with alectinib, which transformed the treatment landscape for this molecular subtype. His translational research bridges molecular genomics with clinical drug development to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets in thoracic malignancies. Solomon's contributions to the ALEX trial, which demonstrated the superiority of alectinib over crizotinib in previously untreated ALK-positive NSCLC—including superior CNS activity—were instrumental in establishing alectinib as the preferred first-line standard worldwide. He has also contributed to studies of third-generation ALK inhibitors including lorlatinib, and has worked extensively on understanding and overcoming resistance to ALK-directed therapy. His laboratory programs investigate mechanisms of resistance through genomic analysis of serial biopsies and liquid biopsy platforms, seeking to rationalize sequencing of ALK inhibitors and rational combination strategies. As a leading voice from the Asia-Pacific region in thoracic oncology, Solomon has helped shape global clinical guidelines through his involvement with IASLC and major cooperative groups. He is a prolific author and frequent presenter at ASCO, ESMO, and WCLC, and serves as a mentor for medical oncology trainees at Peter MacCallum and across Australia. His work exemplifies the integration of academic rigor with patient-centered clinical trial conduct.