Uwe Platzbecker

Uwe Platzbecker, MD is Professor and Director of the Medical Clinic and Policlinic I (Hematology and Cell Therapy) at Leipzig University Hospital, Germany. He is one of the foremost MDS clinical researchers in Europe and globally, best known as the principal investigator of the MEDALIST trial — the landmark phase III study (NEJM 2020) that demonstrated luspatercept (a TGF-β pathway activin receptor ligand trap) significantly improved red blood cell transfusion independence in lower-risk MDS with ring sideroblasts (SF3B1 mutation), leading to FDA and EMA approval of luspatercept in this indication. Prof. Platzbecker has been a leading voice in MDS clinical research through the European MDS cooperative group (EMSCO / AGORA) and the German MDS Study Group (GMDS), conducting pivotal trials of hypomethylating agents, lenalidomide, and transplant strategies in MDS. He has contributed extensively to the molecular IPSS (IPSS-M) risk scoring system for MDS, which incorporates 31 somatic gene mutations alongside cytogenetics to provide individualized risk prediction. He has also led pivotal studies examining imetelstat (a telomerase inhibitor) in transfusion-dependent lower-risk MDS (IMerge trial), contributing to the 2024 FDA approval of imetelstat. Prof. Platzbecker serves on the EHA scientific program committee, MDS Foundation board, and has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications on MDS and related myeloid disorders.