S1 Ep48: How An Interest in Translational Research and Drug Development Helps Evolve Regulatory Practices: With D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD; and Gideon Blumenthal, MD

How This Is Building Me, hosted by world-renowned oncologist D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, is a podcast focused on the highs and lows, ups and downs of all those involved with cancer, cancer medicine, and cancer science across the full spectrum of life’s experiences.In this episode, Dr Camidge sat down with Gideon Blumenthal, MD, vice president of Clinical Development Oncology at Merck in Silver Spring, Maryland.Drs Camidge and Blumenthal discussed Dr Blumenthal's experience serving on both sides of the oncology regulatory divide. Though initially leaning toward humanities during his education, he pursued a career in medicine. During medical school, he shifted his focus from neuroscience to oncology due to the field’s high unmet need, fascinating drug development pathways, and the intensity of patient interaction. He chose to complete his hematology and oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute to immerse himself in translational oncology and drug development.Before joining industry, Dr Blumenthal also spent several years working for the FDA. He started there as a medical officer, focusing on all facets of drug development, from ethics and manufacturing to trial design and biostatistics. He emphasized that success at the FDA involves both approving effective agents and identifying drugs that do not work, maintaining transparency through venues like the public Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee meetings. He used FDA data to conduct independent meta-research, such as analyzing the correlation between response rates and overall survival in lung cancer. His proudest achievement at the FDA was helping to establish the Oncology Center of Excellence, which unified drug development reviews across different centers within the agency.Dr Blumenthal left the FDA in early 2020, seeking to gain direct experience in developing new therapeutics. Joining Merck, he first worked in regulatory affairs, navigating international regulations in addition to US filing procedures, which are typically prioritized in oncology. He later transitioned into clinical development, and currently focuses on new assets as Merck evolves its pipeline beyond pembrolizumab (Keytruda). Dr Blumenthal concluded that he is excited by the future of oncology, anticipating radical changes driven by new modalities and advanced biomarkers like artificial intelligence–driven digital pathology.