Agenus Names Leading GI Oncologist Dr. Richard Goldberg as Chief Development Officer

Agenus, a frontrunner in immuno-oncology, has announced the appointment of Dr. Richard M. Goldberg, an internationally respected leader in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer research and treatment, as its new Chief Development Officer. With over four decades of experience spanning clinical care, research, and leadership in top academic institutions, Dr. Goldberg steps into this role to accelerate the development of Agenus’ promising immunotherapy candidates, botensilimab and balstilimab.

A Proven Leader in GI Oncology Joins Agenus

Dr. Goldberg has authored over 430 peer-reviewed publications, with research focused on treatment development, inherited cancer susceptibility, and biomarker discovery in GI malignancies. His leadership and scholarly contributions have earned him widespread recognition, including listings in The Best Doctors in America, the ASCO Statesman Award, and designation as a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) and the American College of Physicians (FACP).

In a statement reflecting on his return to a leadership role, Dr. Goldberg said:

“Five years ago, I stepped away from formal cancer center leadership roles in academic oncology and from clinical practice. That afforded me time to apply my skills differently by advising companies developing new drugs and technologies for treating GI cancers and particularly colorectal cancer. I also used this opportunity to become even more actively engaged in patient advocacy.

Despite incremental treatment advances, patients, and their family members, clamor daily for new and better treatments. They want more time, better time, and ultimately curative interventions where no cure is possible today. This unmet need is particularly hard felt among those with MSS colorectal cancer where the treatment benefits for immuno-oncology interventions largely remain to be realized.”

Recognizing the potential impact of Agenus’ investigational therapies, he added:

“As a consultant, I recognized what Agenus is achieving with botensilimab and balstilimab. This innovative combination is among the most promising approaches on the horizon. The opportunity to move these investigational agents forward to gain FDA approval and allow oncologists to integrate them into our treatment armamentarium as soon as possible compels me to recommit myself fully to the workplace. I believe these two agents can and will change outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer and, beyond that, will prove to be important tools across a broad spectrum of solid tumors.”

Dr. Goldberg’s continued involvement in clinical research is exemplified by his role as Associate Group Chair of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, an NCI-funded cooperative group. His appointment to Agenus is widely viewed as a strategic milestone as the company works to advance its next-generation immunotherapy candidates into late-stage development.

A Mission to Address Unmet Needs in Colorectal Cancer

Dr. Richard Goldberg’s decision to join Agenus as Chief Development Officer is driven by a powerful mission: addressing the persistent and urgent unmet needs in colorectal cancer, particularly for patients with microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors—those who historically have not benefited from immunotherapy.

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide. According to the American Cancer Society, MSS tumors account for approximately 85% of all colorectal cancer cases. Unlike microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors, which often respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, MSS tumors are typically immunologically “cold” and resistant to most existing immuno-oncology approaches.

Dr. Goldberg has long been at the forefront of efforts to change this landscape. His clinical and academic career has been marked by a dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in GI oncology. Yet even in retirement, he saw an opportunity to act on an area he considers both scientifically challenging and deeply personal.

“Despite incremental treatment advances, patients, and their family members, clamor daily for new and better treatments,” said Dr. Goldberg. “They want more time, better time, and ultimately curative interventions where no cure is possible today. This unmet need is particularly hard felt among those with MSS colorectal cancer where the treatment benefits for immuno-oncology interventions largely remain to be realized.”

Agenus‘ investigational immuno-oncology agents, botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL), are demonstrating significant promise in treating microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer (CRC), a subtype traditionally resistant to checkpoint inhibitors.

Recent findings from the NEST trial, presented at ASCO GI 2025, revealed that neoadjuvant treatment with BOT/BAL led to no recurrences in MSS CRC patients, with all participants remaining ctDNA-negative after follow-up periods of up to 18 months. Notably, the combination achieved a 47% major pathological response rate in MSS tumors when the interval before surgery was extended.

In this DocTalk, Dr. Pashtoon Kasi from Weil Cornell talks about his NEST-1 Trial

These outcomes underscore the potential of BOT/BAL to redefine treatment paradigms for CRC, offering a chemo-free and non-operative approach that enhances immune activation in tumors previously unresponsive to immunotherapy

“As a consultant, I recognized what Agenus is achieving with botensilimab and balstilimab,” Dr. Goldberg continued. “This innovative combination is among the most promising approaches on the horizon. The opportunity to move these investigational agents forward to gain FDA approval and allow oncologists to integrate them into our treatment armamentarium as soon as possible compels me to recommit myself fully to the workplace.”

His words underscore the gravity of the challenge – and the promise of progress. Agenus is now preparing to re-engage with global regulatory authorities, aiming to bring BOT/BAL into the hands of oncologists treating patients who currently have limited to no immunotherapeutic options.

Dr. Goldberg’s personal and professional alignment with this mission signals a turning point, not only for Agenus but potentially for thousands of patients whose cancers have long eluded the benefits of immunotherapy.

Driving the Development of Botensilimab and Balstilimab

As Chief Development Officer at Agenus, Dr. Richard Goldberg will play a central role in advancing the company’s lead immunotherapy program – botensilimab (BOT) and balstilimab (BAL) – through late-stage clinical development and toward regulatory approval. With a distinguished background in GI oncology, Dr. Goldberg is uniquely positioned to guide strategic development, clinical trial design, and engagement with global health authorities.

Botensilimab is an Fc-enhanced anti–CTLA-4 antibody designed to stimulate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Unlike conventional checkpoint inhibitors, it is engineered to address “cold” tumors, such as MSS colorectal cancer, which are traditionally unresponsive to immunotherapy. In combination with balstilimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, the BOT/BAL regimen has shown durable clinical responses in nine late-line solid tumor types, according to data from ongoing Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials.

Over 2,000 patients have been treated with botensilimab and/or balstilimab, demonstrating exceptionally promising activity and manageable safety profiles. With these investigational agents, Agenus aims to expand the reach of immunotherapy to patient populations who have had few viable options until now.

“The opportunity to move these investigational agents forward to gain FDA approval and allow oncologists to integrate them into our treatment armamentarium as soon as possible compels me to recommit myself fully to the workplace,” said Dr. Goldberg. “I believe these two agents can and will change outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer and, beyond that, will prove to be important tools across a broad spectrum of solid tumors.”

Dr. Goldberg’s appointment comes at a critical inflection point for Agenus, as the company prepares to re-engage regulatory agencies and accelerate pivotal trials. His deep understanding of the GI cancer landscape and his experience leading large oncology programs will be instrumental in shaping BOT/BAL’s path to market.

As Dr. Garo Armen, CEO of Agenus, noted in the company’s press release:

“Dr. Goldberg’s appointment as Chief Development Officer brings unparalleled expertise in gastrointestinal oncology and a lifelong commitment to advancing patient care that align directly with our mission. As we work to bring BOT/BAL to patients in need, his strategic guidance will be instrumental in navigating the clinical and developmental complexities ahead.”

With Dr. Goldberg at the helm of development, Agenus is positioned to translate cutting-edge science into meaningful clinical impact, potentially reshaping treatment for patients across multiple tumor types.

A Career Marked by Impact and Innovation

Dr. Richard Goldberg’s appointment as Chief Development Officer at Agenus is the continuation of a remarkable four-decade career defined by scientific rigor, clinical innovation, and visionary leadership in gastrointestinal (GI) oncology.

Throughout his career, Dr. Goldberg has held prestigious positions at several leading academic cancer centers in the United States:

• Director of the West Virginia University Cancer Institute (WVUCI): From 2017 until his retirement in January 2020, Dr. Goldberg led WVUCI, where he was responsible for steering clinical, research, and educational missions.
• Physician-in-Chief at The Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital: Prior to WVUCI, he served as Physician-in-Chief and Associate Director of Outreach at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
• Physician-in-Chief at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital: At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he held the role of Physician-in-Chief and Associate Director at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Goldberg’s exceptional blend of scientific acumen, leadership experience, and patient-focused philosophy makes him a powerful asset to Agenus as the company seeks to bring its innovative immunotherapies to patients globally.