Brian Druker

Brian Druker at OHSU led the clinical development of imatinib (Gleevec/STI-571) as the first molecularly targeted kinase inhibitor for chronic myeloid leukemia, achieving complete cytogenetic responses and transforming a fatal disease into a chronic condition. His partnership with the pharmaceutical industry to translate laboratory BCR-ABL biology to a clinical drug represents the definitive proof-of-concept for molecularly targeted cancer therapy. He received the Lasker Award and multiple major prizes for this transformative work. His career-long dedication to cancer treatment innovation continues through the Knight Cancer Institute where he has championed early detection initiatives.