In Memoriam: Tom Boone, M.S.
Simcha Therapeutics honors the remarkable legacy of Tom Boone, a pioneering scientist whose expertise and vision profoundly shaped the field of protein therapeutics. With over 40 years of groundbreaking accomplishments in their discovery and development, Tom was a key force behind the innovative foundation of Simcha’s programs, and his dedication to advancing science continues to inspire our mission.

Tom’s career was marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Tom worked at Amgen for 28 years and served in positions of increasing responsibility in growing Amgen Protein Sciences to an organization of over 300 researchers across five different sites. His career at Amgen began in 1981 as a bench scientist with the isolation and cDNA cloning of novel cytokines and growth factors including G-CSF. He was also responsible for expressing, purifying, and formulating many of Amgen’s recombinant proteins. Tom developed proprietary processes used to produce recombinant G-CSF and other therapeutic candidates for clinical applications. Tom was the first Vice President of Amgen Protein Science and was the lead scientist in the development of Nplate®, a treatment of thrombocytopenia. His critical role in the discovery and process development of G-CSF (Neupogen) is widely recognized.

After leaving Amgen, Tom brought his visionary leadership to early-stage biotech ventures, providing strategic and technical guidance to more than 30 companies. His vast experience and deep scientific insight were essential in helping them license in clinical stage molecules and advance novel therapies.

Tom held master’s degrees in microbiology from UCLA and Soil Science from UC Davis.

At Simcha, we are privileged to have benefited from Tom’s unparalleled expertise and commitment. Tom’s enduring contributions to science and humanity will always be remembered and cherished.

Hirdesh possesses over two decades of drug development expertise, making significant contributions advancing medicines from discovery to regulatory approval. In his recent role as VP of Development Sciences at CytomX Inc., he managed a diverse portfolio encompassing antibodies, ADC’s, bispecifics, and cytokines. Prior to this, he served as VP of Development Sciences at Revolution Medicines Inc., concentrating on novel therapies targeting RAS-addicted cancers. At Medivation Inc., Hirdesh led Translational Medicine & Companion Diagnostics (CDx), involving the translational strategy & clinical development for enzalutamide (XTANDIâ), talazoparib (TALZENNAâ) and several other pipeline molecules. He invented & facilitated successful clinical biomarker work culminating in CDx development at partner firms. His earlier tenure at Genentech Inc. and F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd focused on development sciences and safety assessment where he provided leadership & strategic alignment of a safety biomarker, stem cell & biochemical-molecular toxicology investigative laboratory group. Hirdesh holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, and a Master’s in Immunology from Punjab Agricultural University, India. Additionally, he has completed Executive Management programs at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Harvard Business School, and The Wharton School.

Jeremy Barton, M.D. has over 31 years of experience in all phases of oncology drug development in the pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland, UK and currently in the US. He is now working as a self-employed consultant, advising biotech companies on strategic oncology drug development.

Most recent industry responsibilities in the US have included Chief Medical Officer roles at Biogen Idec, eFFECTOR Therapeutics and Mirati Therapeutics. He was also head of early Oncology Development at Pfizer (San Diego) for 5 years overseeing the transition of all Oncology compounds from research through IND to proof-of-concept studies.

After obtaining a Master’s Degree in Physiological Sciences from Oxford University and his medical degree at University College Hospital Medical School in London, he trained in Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology in the United Kingdom and practiced for 11 years in the National Health Service.

Jeremy is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Clinical Oncology, a Member of the Royal College of Physicians (U.K.), a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (Clinical Oncology) and a Member of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine.

Beatrice has 20+ years of industry experience in research and development, operations, finance and business development. Beatrice was appointed a Simcha executive since its inception in 2018 accountable for all aspects of the company – G&A, Corporate Strategy and R&D, including manufacturing, preclinical & clinical development, regulatory and quality. Prior to Simcha, she served on the commercial team at PPD. Before PPD, Beatrice established and led Beatrice Perotti Inc in 2006, a consulting firm, full time for 12 years until 2017, providing consulting services to start ups and established biotech companies. Beatrice started consulting after 12 years of product development and finance experience in leadership positions in PKDM, product strategy/early development, strategic business operations and finance at Pfizer and Amgen. 

Beatrice graduated with a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry – Pharmacokinetics & Drug Metabolism from the University of California, San Francisco, and an E.M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson School of Management. Beatrice also had a Project Management Certificate from CalTech and was an Amgen certified Six Sigma Black Belt.