Elena Garralda

Elena Garralda, MD, PhD is Head of the Early Drug Development Unit at Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) in Barcelona, one of Europe's premier first-in-human trial centers. She is one of the most productive early-phase trial investigators in Europe, having led or co-led over 100 first-in-human and phase I studies across diverse drug classes including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), immune checkpoint inhibitors, bispecific antibodies, and targeted small molecules. Dr. Garralda's unit at VHIO is recognized for its rigorous translational science integration, including mandatory pharmacodynamic biopsies, ctDNA monitoring, and immune profiling in early trials. She led one of the first phase I trials of a KRAS G12C inhibitor in Europe and has been principal investigator on pivotal first-in-human studies for multiple approved or late-stage agents. Her work on immune monitoring in early immunotherapy trials has established frameworks for understanding pharmacodynamic immune activation in the tumor microenvironment during phase I dose escalation. She is a sought-after speaker on innovative phase I trial design and translational endpoints in solid tumors.