Three physician-scientists, Drs. Brian Betts, Shernan Holtan, and Kanwaldeep Mallhi, have joined Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, to contribute their specialized skills in the field of transplantation and cell therapy (TCT). Dr. Betts has assumed the role of Vice Chair of Strategic Initiatives in the Transplant & Cellular Therapy Section. Together with Dr. Holtan, he aims to optimize transplant outcomes and develop new engineered therapies as part of the emerging cell therapy hub. Dr. Mallhi, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, has been appointed as the Clinical Director of Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, focusing on treating children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders.
The trio of experts joins a team of renowned cell therapy pioneers, including Drs. Renier Brentjens and Marco Davila, and will contribute to the development of New York State’s first cell therapy manufacturing and research hub. In line with this vision, the New York State government has invested $30 million in Roswell Park’s GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility. Dr. Brentjens, Roswell Park’s Deputy Director and Chair of Medicine, expressed enthusiasm about the comprehensive and supportive environment for innovation in cancer cell therapy that their team is building.
Dr. Betts, who has extensive experience in graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prevention and engineered T-cell therapies, emphasizes the importance of bridging scientific research with patient care. Dr. Holtan, known for spearheading groundbreaking work in graft-versus-host disease prevention, aims to expand transplant and cell therapies for nonmalignant conditions. Dr. Mallhi, specializing in cellular therapies for hematologic cancers and nonmalignant blood disorders in children, intends to provide innovative treatments such as gene therapy for cure-risking diseases. This trio’s addition strengthens Roswell Park’s position as a leading institution in academic cell therapy.
