John Byrd

John Byrd is a leading CLL researcher who was instrumental in clinical development of BTK inhibitors including ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He led seminal phase I/II trials of ibrutinib that established BTK inhibition as a transformative treatment paradigm, replacing chemotherapy-based regimens for many CLL patients. He has contributed to development of next-generation BTK inhibitors with improved selectivity and has investigated mechanisms of BTK inhibitor resistance. He directed the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center hematology program for many years and received multiple major awards including the ASH Mentor Award.