Dr. Epperly brings over 15 years of deep oncology experience as a physician and scientist blending medicine and business with a proven track record in oncology drug development and launches. She has served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations at Iovance Biotherapeutics, a public clinical-stage immuno-oncology company, leading clinical operations overseeing all clinical trials, developing and implementing business strategy to advance drug development including clinical trial design, global business development, and the commercial operating model for the launch of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL), with the potential to be the first approved cell therapy for solid tumor cancers. Previously she served as the US Chief Operating Officer at VBL Therapeutics, a public biopharmaceutical company focused on first-in-class cancer treatments, where she helped lead corporate strategy, financing, business development, designed a US commercial operating model and marketing plan, and supported immuno-oncology clinical drug development. Prior to VBL, in her 7 years at Bristol Myers Squibb she delivered results across multiple leadership roles spanning marketing, including helping drive the launches of OPDIVO® (nivolumab) and YERVOY® (ipilimumab) in 6+ tumor indications under accelerated timelines, M&A leading global transactions and negotiations, strategic operations and medical strategy in the US Immuno-Oncology Business. Previously at Goldman Sachs International in London she served as an equity analyst in Global Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Investment Research. Dr. Epperly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Biology from the University of Virginia, a Doctorate of Medicine and a Masters of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). She completed her medical training at the UNC Hospitals. She trained at the National Cancer Institute of the NIH in translational medicine, experimental cancer immunology in checkpoint inhibition, tumor suppressor genes, and bone marrow transplant clinical trials. Dr. Epperly has served as a director of AVEO since 2021 and is a member of the nominating and governance and compensation committees.
