image: Albert Roy named president and CEO of the Lupus Research Alliance
see After
Credit: Jerry Speier
NEW YORK, NY. August 10, 2022 – The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Albert Roy as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 6, 2022. Mr. Roy is currently Executive Director of Lupus Therapeutics, the clinical trial subsidiary of the Lupus Research Alliance. He will succeed Kenneth M. Farber who remains Chairman Emeritus until December 31, 2022.
Albert Roy joined the Lupus Research Alliance in 2015 to form Lupus Therapeutics, a division focused on accelerating clinical research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, a complex autoimmune disease that manifests differently in a person. to another and for which more personalized treatments are urgently needed.
“Under Al’s strong leadership, Lupus Therapeutics has grown tremendously in size and stature, representing one of the most recognized organizations advancing lupus clinical research and breaking down barriers to participation in clinical research,” noted LRA board co-chairman Ira Akselrad. “His success in founding Lupus Therapeutics is a testament to his evident ability to innovate, critically important to the future of the Lupus Research Alliance and the lupus community as a whole.”
As Executive Director of Lupus Therapeutics, Mr. Roy expanded the organization into a clinical research powerhouse, supporting 20 clinical research efforts with 16 partners from major biopharmaceutical companies engaged in lupus drug development. One of the cornerstones of his success has been the formation and expansion of the Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN), a network of 57 prestigious academic institutions across North America caring for 25,000 people with lupus.
Addressing health inequities in lupus research and improving awareness and engagement in clinical research, especially among people of color who are underrepresented in clinical research, has been a key objectives of Mr. Roy, who worked on the introduction of several new programs.
LRA Board Co-Chairman Richard DeScherer added, “Al was unanimously chosen after extensive research and discussions of the needs of the organization with many people, including directors , senior staff and members of the LRA Scientific Advisory Board. From the perspective of clinical research, business and community needs, Al brings a unique complement of skills necessary to propel the Lupus Research Alliance forward.
Prior to joining Lupus Therapeutics, Mr. Roy was Vice President of Operations and Research Programs at CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, a multi-million dollar public charity whose mission is to support innovative cancer research. in children. During his tenure there, he managed a clinical research portfolio exceeding $50 million per year and coordinated the pediatric oncology group through strategic partnerships with more than 200 academic medical centers. Mr. Roy holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Ithaca College.
“I am honored and privileged to be the next President and CEO of the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), an organization at the forefront of many of today’s greatest breakthroughs in lupus. As more discoveries make their way to clinical research, it is imperative that the Lupus Research Alliance devote more resources to educating and engaging the patient community about the key role they play in the research process,” said Mr. Roy.
“With the rapid advancement of science and technology coupled with the passion of our lupus community, we are poised to reach a new trajectory of even higher acceleration to address unmet medical needs and one day , eradicate lupus”, continued Mr. Roy.
Dr. Roy’s predecessor, Kenneth Farber, was a major driving force in the lupus field for more than two decades, guiding the Lupus Research Alliance as it supported the discovery of many compounds that led to new treatments now approved. or currently in development for lupus. Under his leadership, the Lupus Research Alliance was formed from the merger of three leading lupus organizations, uniting the full research continuum, from basic to clinical research, under one roof, and becoming the largest private non-governmental funder of lupus research in the world. Mr. Farber will continue to consult with the organization.
Albert Roy will continue to lead Lupus Therapeutics until a new executive director is appointed.
About lupus
Lupus is a chronic and complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90% of people with lupus are women; lupus strikes most often during the childbearing years from 15 to 45 years old. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans are two to three times more at risk than Caucasians. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body, including the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin and joints.
About the Lupus Research Alliance
The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of lupus research in the world. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, nurturing diverse scientific talent, and directing discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments, and ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations go to support lupus research programs. Visit lupusresearch.org for more information.
About Lupus Therapeutics
Lupus Therapeutics, a subsidiary of the Lupus Research Alliance, aims to accelerate drug discovery and diagnostic innovation for all patients with lupus. Lupus Therapeutics collaborates with biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners through its unprecedented Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN) to drive rapid and meaningful advances in the treatment of patients with lupus. The organization aims to put the voice of patients and community stakeholders at the center of the clinical research process with the most innovative and renowned experts across North America. Visit lupustherapeutics.org for more information.
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