Funding Impactful Cancer Research That Might Otherwise Go Unsupported: Ryan Schoenfeld on the Secret Behind Mark Foundation’s Success

Interview with Ryan Schoenfeld by the Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily, Prof. Gevorg Tamamyan

On a quiet Friday night in New York, in a dimly lit office where most had already left for the weekend, Ryan Schoenfeld, PhD, CEO of The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, sat down for an in-depth conversation. His commitment to discussing the Foundation’s mission underscored the relentless drive that propels its work.

Funding High-Risk Research Projects that Traditional Funding Sources Often Overlook

When Schoenfeld speaks about the mission of The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, he leans forward, his voice steady with purpose. “Our mission is to accelerate the progression of new biology – innovations and discoveries that are typically made in an academic setting – and turn those into new therapies and diagnostics that can be tested clinically,” he says.

While government funding and commercial investment dominate basic research and late-stage clinical trials, The Mark Foundation fills a critical void by targeting translational research projects that bridge the divide between the lab and the clinic.

“In the middle, there’s this gap,” Schoenfeld explains. “There aren’t as many funding opportunities, so that’s where we can make the biggest impact.”

This approach demands boldness. “Our funding often goes toward high-risk, high-impact ideas that haven’t been proven yet,” he says. These projects frequently sit at the intersections of disciplines, such as chemistry and cancer biology, or physics and oncology. “There are a lot of exciting opportunities when you bring together these kinds of multidisciplinary collaborations,” he adds.

The foundation’s flexibility allows it to embrace projects across the spectrum of cancer research. “Any type of cancer is in scope for us,” Schoenfeld says. “We’re not only focused on therapeutics and new drugs, but also diagnostics, biomarkers – any kind of translational research that takes discoveries and brings them to something that can be tested clinically for patients.”

Established in 2017 by philanthropist Alex Knaster in honor of his father, The Mark Foundation operates as a public charity with a diverse range of donors and partners. “We’ve granted over $250 million in the seven years the Foundation has existed, across six different programs that we’ve established internally, as well as partnerships with other global cancer research organizations,” Schoenfeld says.

In addition to traditional grants, The Mark Foundation has embraced a venture philanthropy model. Through its venture arm, the Foundation has made investments in nine early-stage cancer companies – four of which were founded on discoveries emerging from its grantee projects. “Any returns from those investments go back into the Foundation, allowing us to grow and continue funding impactful research.”

Empowering Talent with the Most Promising Ideas: Exploring The Mark Foundation’s Grant Programs

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research funds projects across three main categories to foster innovation and collaboration while supporting cancer researchers at every career stage. They include:

• Early-Career Investigators: This category of funding provides crucial support to researchers at the beginning of their independent careers. “We offer fellowships for postdocs as well as programs like the Emerging Leader Award,” Schoenfeld shares. “This is designed for investigators who have already established their labs but are looking to take on a new, bold project that they haven’t started yet – something that might not get funded elsewhere.”
• Team Science: The Mark Foundation promotes collaborative, multidisciplinary research through two standout programs: The Endeavor Award program and the Mark Foundation Centers. Endeavor Awards are three-year, $3 million grants to teams of three or more investigators, often spread across multiple institutions, tackling pressing challenges in cancer research. “These could address any topic within our translational focus,” Schoenfeld notes. Meanwhile, Mark Foundation Centers are even larger-scale team initiatives involving up to 10 or more investigators with larger overall budgets.
• Innovation Awards: These grants, including ASPIRE Awards and Drug Discovery Awards, support feasibility studies and proof-of-concept experiments. “It could be for testing a novel biomarker, exploring a new mechanism of action, or probing a cutting-edge technology,” Schoenfeld explains. The Foundation also hosts annual workshops to spark new ideas that can lead to funded projects.

Taking a Global, Collaborative Approach to Problem-Solving

 Schoenfeld attributed the Foundation’s international network of investigators and multi-disciplinary teams to its success. “We support over 400+ of the world’s leading scientists, operating in over 16 different countries and are trying to build a global network of cancer research investigators who can collaborate and exchange ideas,” Schoenfeld explains. “Our growth is about identifying and empowering talent, wherever they are, that will offer fresh perspectives and take the risks necessary to drive the next frontier of cancer research.”

Despite being a small team, the Foundation prioritizes personal outreach. “We spend a lot of time on the road,” Schoenfeld shares. “Whether it’s visiting a cancer center in another state or traveling abroad, we go out of our way to meet the researchers where they are. We introduce The Mark Foundation, listen to their ideas, and let them know about grant opportunities. That personal connection makes all the difference.” This commitment extends to providing feedback and support, even to those whose applications aren’t funded. “We aim to establish a lasting relationship,” Schoenfeld says. “Sometimes it’s not about this grant, but the next one, or even helping them secure funding elsewhere. It’s about building trust and fostering a spirit of collaboration.”

A Relentless Pursuit of New Frontiers in Cancer Research

Staying ahead in the rapidly evolving field of cancer research requires constant adaptation. “Our mission is built around innovation, around funding the research that’s not already covered and funded by other sources,” Schoenfeld explains. “So, we’re always looking at what’s new. And that’s a never-ending journey.”

The Mark Foundation strives to anticipate future trends, working with its network of experts to identify promising areas. “There’s so much innovation to stay aware of,” Schoenfeld notes. “And part of our work is trying to anticipate what’s coming next… The goal is to help the field move forward, to avoid getting stuck in a rut. Our commitment to finding innovative treatments desperately needed by cancer transcends simple solutions.”

A Chemist’s Journey from the Lab to Philanthropy

Schoenfeld didn’t set out to run a cancer research foundation. Instead, his trajectory is a testament to his curiosity and adaptability. After earning his PhD in synthetic organic chemistry, Schoenfeld launched his professional career as a medicinal chemist for Roche.

“As a chemist, you initially focus on one target,” Schoenfeld explains. “But over time, you start to see how biology connects these different diseases. That perspective excited me – thinking about how new targets could be identified and addressed.” His growing interest in the intersection of data science and biology led him to explore innovative ways to bring together vast streams of information across diverse biological and chemical domains.

That curiosity drove him to Johnson & Johnson, where he built and led a data science team within the company’s pharmaceutical division. Over time, Schoenfeld grew a modest team of five or six into what has ultimately become a formidable unit of hundreds of professionals. “It was thrilling to see how data science could touch every part of the value chain and bring new insights to the table,” he recalls.

But after more than 15 years in pharma, Schoenfeld felt the gravitational pull of a new challenge. “I wanted to do something more entrepreneurial,” he says. That opportunity came in the form of a conversation with Knaster, then in the early stages of founding The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. Knaster’s commitment to cancer research and translational science left a deep impression on Schoenfeld. “It wasn’t just about using buzzwords like ‘translational research.’ He truly understood what it meant and was ready to dedicate significant resources to solving real problems.”

Joining The Mark Foundation allowed Schoenfeld to merge his scientific expertise with his entrepreneurial aspirations. “It scratched that itch for building something from the ground up,” he says. Under his leadership, the Foundation has grown into a dynamic organization making an impact across diverse areas of cancer research. “Seeing the foundation evolve and contribute to solving some of the biggest challenges in cancer research has been incredibly rewarding,” he reflects.

The Recipe for Success: Lifelong Learning, Risk-Taking, and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

For Schoenfeld, the key to success lies in an insatiable love of learning and a willingness to take risks. “I never stop learning,” he says. His role at The Mark Foundation allows him to immerse himself in a broad spectrum of scientific advancements, which he finds endlessly stimulating. “To be successful in a position like this, you really have to enjoy reading, learning, and understanding new ideas,” he reflects.

But success, as Schoenfeld sees it, also requires the courage to embrace uncertainty. “You have to be willing to take risks, try new things, and not be afraid to fail,” he explains. For him, breaking new ground in research and making a lasting impact demands a boldness to explore uncharted territory. Equally important, he adds, is surrounding yourself with the right people. “Building a strong team that can work together to create an environment of collaboration and innovation is critical.”

The Path Ahead: Tackling Big Challenges Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Schoenfeld has an ambitious vision for the future of The Mark Foundation. “The Mark Foundation is still young,” he begins. “We’ve developed new programs, built a global network, and started working with more and more partners around the world. No one organization can tackle cancer on its own.”

Partnerships, Schoenfeld explains, are at the heart of the Foundation’s growth strategy. “We’re excited to collaborate with all kinds of partners – whether it’s disease-focused nonprofits, educational organizations, or commercial entities like pharmaceutical companies. We’re also exploring deeper partnerships with universities – not just as grant recipients, but as collaborators in workshops and programmatic initiatives. “Already, the Foundation’s partnerships have laid the foundation for significant advances in cancer research.

Looking ahead, Schoenfeld points to early detection as a key area of focus. “This encompasses everything from engineering problems to develop new imaging and blood analysis technologies, to addressing existing gaps that demand innovative solutions.” He describes the field as ripe for breakthroughs: “There are exciting technologies emerging, but also persistent challenges that we can address with fresh ideas.”

Another frontier Schoenfeld highlights is aging and its intersection with cancer. “Aging research brings vast possibilities,” he notes. “We’re seeing a rise in early-onset cancers among people under 50, with increased risks across at least 14 tumor types. On the other end of the spectrum, we need to understand how aging systems – like the immune system – affect tumor progression and response to therapies.”

For Schoenfeld, these priorities are not just about advancing science, but about leveraging partnerships to create systemic change. “The opportunity to engage end-to-end with a problem – from fundamental research to clinical and commercial stages – is exciting,” he says. “Through consortia and partnerships, we can tackle the biggest challenges together on a much larger scale. This is key to unlocking real progress in cancer research.”

Envisioning the Future: A Decade of Impact in Cancer Research

When asked to imagine The Mark Foundation in 10 years, Schoenfeld paints a picture of evolution and tangible impact. “In a decade,” he begins confidently, “I’m certain we’ll be able to point to meaningful changes in standards of care for various patient populations, thanks to research supported by The Mark Foundation.”

He envisions progress on multiple fronts, starting with more precise methods to match patients with treatments. “We’re already seeing examples of this – identifying subsets of patients with greater accuracy, matching them with the right therapies or combinations,” Schoenfeld shares. “In 10 years, I think we’ll have many more examples of this, as well as new drugs that made it to market, born from ideas we funded in academic settings years earlier.”

What Makes The Mark Foundation Different?

With so many cancer research foundations out there, what makes The Mark Foundation stand out? Schoenfeld highlights the Foundation’s unique combination of flexibility, innovation, and collaboration.

“We’re tumor-type agnostic and research-stage agnostic to a large extent, which gives us the flexibility to embrace the biggest opportunities for impact.” The Foundation’s commitment to collaboration and its focus on staying at the forefront of innovation further distinguish it from other organizations.

“We’re not just funding research; we’re building a global network and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer research,” Schoenfeld concludes. “That’s what makes The Mark Foundation special.”