Christina Benander

Research Scientist @Novartis

Cambridge, MA, US

I began my research career at Novartis focusing primarily on two targets that fall within the TGF beta BMP pathway. Through reporter gene assays and biacore analysis, I\'ve helped usher these targets into the next stages of their respective pipelines. BYM338 remains the piece de resistance of my Novartis career. I ran our functional and binding assays during validation, and through many iterations came away with the lead and back up antibody we would carry through to POC. Currently BYM338 (Bimagrumab) is in clinical trials and showing some effectiveness; I hope the drug can reach FDA approval and help people suffering from sIBM.In the beginning of 2010, I started an internship with Strategic Alliances drafting contracts and negotiating. Our Strategic Alliance group is based in Cambridge, and executes externally-focused strategies to improve our patient portfolio. While in SA, I led several agreements where I negotiated terms and managed those ongoing contracts. I also developed a project involving market research to gauge the economic climate within the pharma deal-making industry, and assessed whether or not clamps on lending and overall economic strain showed an affect on the types of deals being made. I was glad to provide value to the organization with my findings and give Novartis a competitive advantage.Two years ago, I joined a group exclusively navigating the cancer biology arena. We began digging into sarcomas and over the last two years I\'ve gained experience in CRISPR pool screens as well as advanced gene expression analyses. Currently we\'re in NSCLC space and will hopefully come away with a validated target.

Yale School of Management

MBA, Leadership in Healthcare

University of New Hampshire

Bachelor of Science and Arts (B.S. & B.A.), Microbiology and Ceramics