Frederic de Sauvage

Frederic de Sauvage led the Genentech research team that developed vismodegib, the first FDA-approved SMO inhibitor for advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma. His research program characterized the biological basis of SMO inhibitor efficacy and resistance mechanisms, including acquired SMO resistance mutations. He identified rational combination strategies to overcome Hedgehog pathway resistance and extended Hedgehog inhibitor evaluation to other tumor types. His industry research exemplifies how academic pathway discoveries can be translated into effective targeted cancer therapies.